There are more notable African Americans with Kentucky roots and ties than any one person knows about. Very little has been written about many of them and it is a challenge to find what was written in the past. For some, their stories have only been told by word of mouth. The Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA) has been developed as a finding aid to bring together a brief description of pertinent names, places, and events, and to list the sources where additional information may be found. This is not currently an all inclusive database, but we are working toward that goal and suggestions are welcomed.
Did you know?
Robert Booker was the first African American police officer in LaGrange, KY, in 1968. Information submitted by Ruby Booker of LaGrange, KY.
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Loretta Reeves Stewart is an exceptional student and educator. She attended the segregated schools in Paducah, beginning at Woodland, a one room…
The following is an incomplete list of the African American men who enlisted in Kentucky and served on a Navy submarine during World War II. The names…
Phil H. Brown was the appointed Commissioner of Conciliation in the U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Negro Economics. News of his appointment…
In 1894, Amanda Lee was the owner of the first house built in the town of Cynthiana, KY, according to Lucinda Boyd. It was not known who actually…
Henry Miles was born in Samuels, KY. He was the son and one of the three children of Henry and Mattie Skinner Miles [sources: 1910 U.S. Census; and…
William Henry Miles was born in Springfield, KY, the slave of Mrs. Mary Miles, who died in 1854 and willed William his freedom--but he was not freed…
Earl McDonald, born October 2, 1885 in Louisville, KY. He was a musician and founder of the Original Louisville Jug Band in 1902. The group was named…
In 1879, J. D. McLeod was appointed Government Store-keeper at Covington, KY. The appointment was made during the administration of the newly elected…
