Little Known Black History Fact: Lee Wesley Gibson and Ben Isaacs

Mr. Gibson or “George” passed away at the age of 107 and is noted in the records as the oldest surviving member of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Ben Isaacs dies at 107; oldest Pullman porter

• Obituary published August 18, 2012 in LA Times: Excerpt:  “Records kept by the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago had recognized 102-year-old Lee Wesley Gibson of Los Angeles as being the oldest living Pullman porter until Isaacs — born five years earlier than Gibson — came forward in 2010.”

Originally posted on Majic 102.1:

At 101 years old, Lee Wesley Gibson of Keatchie, Louisiana is the oldest surviving member of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Gibson served as a pullman porter for 38 years. Back in the day, the job of pullman porter was considered a middle-class position, something Gibson, who was raised by a poor single mom, took pride in.

• http://www.blackamericaweb.com/news/little-known-black-history-fact/little-known-black-history-fact-lee-wesley-gibson

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It doesn't matter.  The fact is that both men are in the records and both deserve to be remembered because we all need to be REMINDED that they were unique individual men who each had a name.  THEIR OWN NAME!  A name that some guy couldn't be bothered with learning.  What was that guy's name?  I know he had a name.  Sadly, people don't remember his name fondly.

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Black in Time | Online Resource for Black History

Although February has been officially designated as Black History Month and is observed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Black In Time is an excellent online resource for black history and culture all year-round. The tagline for the website states its purpose succinctly: Celebrating Who We Are By Honoring Who We Were. Brief biographical snapshots and historical accounts are presented by way of A Moment in OUR History links that acquaint us with Americans of African heritage - such as: 

Bessie Coleman, the first licensed black pilot in the United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

- Bessie Coleman (1922, successful female pilot who broke through racial and gender barriers), 

- Henry O. Flipper (former slave who realized his childhood dream by graduating from The West Point United States Military Academy in 1877), 

- Garrett A. Morgan (invented and patented the gas mask; became a national hero in 1916 when he donned the breathing device and led a rescue team into a tunnel to save 30 workers trapped there after an explosion), 

- Dr. Carter G. Woodson (scholar, historian, educator and author, honored as The Father Of Black History; in 1926 he created what is known today as Black History Month). 

Portrait of African-American historian Carter Godwin Woodson as a young man. Courtesy of the New River Gorge National River website, National Park Service, Dept of the Interior, US Gov'. (Wikipedia)

This site is a research and reference tool intended to assist those interested in tracing the steps of generations from the days of slavery to the present; and its goal is to motivate anyone to create positive, unique stories within their own lives.

Hugh Gaddy is Founder and President of Black In Time Enterprises. You can view his public profile on LinkedIn.com. When asked if there was any one historical personality in particular that really motivated and inspired him, Mr. Gaddy responded: Without question, Malcolm X!! I read his autobiography when I was 15 and it changed my life!!

* * * * * *

Do you get inspired by reading
biographical accounts or personal memoirs?

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ARTISTS I Fancy! - Clifford Faust

Spotlight on ARTISTS I Fancy! 
- Clifford Faust, O-O-CA-NYC

Clifford Faust has an impressive series of African-American musicians which includes Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and two artists who are part of the soundtrack of my life: James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Fancy contemporary art that features contemporary artists? Well then! CLICK HERE.

* * * Similar Posts Here at My Blog Stop!:

Top 10 Artists in February | ArtFinder.com

Native American Art Presented by FirstPeople.us

Enjoy Art and Dreaming? Ever Combine Them!

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