Welcome to BlackPast 3.0

The wait is over—the new BlackPast.org is officially live! We’ve redesigned our site to bring you a modern, user-friendly experience that makes exploring Black history easier and more engaging than ever.

BlackPast is dedicated to providing reliable information on the history of Black people across the globe, and especially in North America. Our goal is to promote greater understanding of our common human experience through knowledge of the diversity of the Black experience and the ubiquity of the global Black presence. Welcome to the largest online encyclopedia on African American and Global African history on the Internet.

In Defense of Black History

This editorial page is part of an ongoing effort to present the ideas and opinions of individuals both within and beyond BlackPast.org that address the pressing issues and challenges facing African Americans and people of African Ancestry around the world, which are rooted in their historical experiences.

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Featured Article

Shirley Chisholm was a true trailblazer. As the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for president, she broke through barriers and fought for change in ways that still resonate today. Find out more about her incredible legacy by visting her BlackPast article.

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The Interactive African American History Timeline

Discover the rich and inspiring stories of Black history through our interactive timeline, highlighting key moments and figures that have shaped our world. Dive in and explore how history connects to the present and inspires the future!

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The African Capitals

Africa’s capitals are full of life, history, and culture. From the energy of Lagos to the charm of Cairo, each city has its own story to tell. Discover what makes these places special on our African Capitals page.

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What’s New on BlackPast?

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Saint-Laurent Productions Emilia Pérez (elle.com.sg)

Zoë Saldaña (1978- )

Zoë Saldaña is an accomplished actress and dancer known for her roles in four of the six...
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Webster Telephone Exchange Buidling (Adam F.C. Fletcher)

The Webster Telephone Exchange Building (1906- )

Located at 2213 Lake Street in North Omaha, Nebraska, the Webster Telephone Exchange Building is...
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Huel D. Perkins (Courtesy of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity)

Huel Davis Perkins (1924-2013)

Huel Davis Perkins, a distinguished composer, pianist, professor, administrator, and orator, was...
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Glenn Cunningham (nj.com)

Glenn Cunningham (1943-2004)

Glenn Dale Cunningham was the first African American mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He was born...
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Herbert T. Miller (1900-1976)

Herbert T. Miller, a distinguished social services and religious leader, organizer, and...
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Gov. John Waihee Signing the Bill Making the MLK Birthday a Holiday in Hawaii, April 29, 1988 (Courtesy of Daphne Barbee Wooten)

In Defense of Black History in Hawaii: How the Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Became a Hawaii State Holiday

In January 2025, Daphne Barbee-Wooten, a Hawaii historian and social activist attorney wrote the...
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Tyrone Gardner (Tyrone Gardner Homepage)

Tyrone Anthony Garner (1969- )

Tyrone Anthony Garner, born in February 1969, is the first Black Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas. He...
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