Black History@CDD

Honoring the historical Black changemakers that have shaped Cambridge.

Black History@CDD

Black History@CDD celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of the Black citizens that have shaped the City of Cambridge and the world.

These are some of the historical groundbreakers and the Hidden Figures who have accomplished great things at great odds, and made the world a better place.

Please enjoy, learn, and share this knowledge with others who might benefit from learning about Black history in Cambridge and beyond.

If you have any questions, please contact David Corbie at Dcorbie@cambridgema.gov.

#BlackHistoryCambridge


Hidden Figures

Honoring the hidden figures that have made history in Cambridge.


KATHERINE (KITTIE) TOWLE KNOX

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Katherine Towle (Kittie) Knox was a bicycle racer and the first African American to be accepted into the League of American Wheelman (LAW) in 1893 at a time when few women were members.

In 2019, the City of Cambridge named the Kittie Knox Bike Path in her honor.



BISHOP GEORGE ALEXANDER MCGUIRE

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Bishop George Alexander McGuire was a prominent member in the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which was created by famous Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey

In 1921, he founded the African Orthodox   Church (AOC) and was consecrated as its first bishop.

During his tenure, new congregations were started in several cities in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and East Africa.



ALBERTA VIRGINIA SCOTT

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Alberta Virginia Scott was born near Richmond, Virginia, and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Alberta attended Allston School and then Cambridge Latin School.

In 1898, she became the first African-American graduate of Radcliffe College.



JOSHUA BOWEN SMITH 

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Joshua Bowen Smith was an abolitionist, conductor on the Underground Railroad and co-founder of the New England Freedom Association, and served as a Massachusetts State Legislator.



WILLIAM HENRY LEWIS 

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William Henry Lewis became one of the first African-American college football players. After graduating from Harvard Law School and continuing to play football, Lewis was the first African American in the sport to be selected as an All-American.

In 1903, William became the first African American to be appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney.

In 1911, William was among the first African Americans to be admitted to the American Bar Association.



Elaine Denniston

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Elaine Denniston joined the Instrumentation Lab (now called Draper) as a Data Keypunch Operator for the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

As a Data Keypuncher Operator, Elaine was responsible for collecting the codes from the engineers and run them through the computer. 

Following her work at MIT, Elaine graduated from Harvard University, and received her law degree from Boston University School of Law.

Photo Credit: Draper



Historical Groundbreakers

Honoring the historical groundbreakers who have paved the way for others to follow in their path.


MARIA LOUISE BALDWIN

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Maria Louise Baldwin was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After graduating Cambridge High School, she enrolled in the Cambridge training school for teachers.

Due to protests from Cambridge's African American community, she was hired to teach at the Agassiz school.

Due to her outstanding work, she was appointed principal in 1889, the first African-American female principal in the Northeast.



Joyce London Alexander

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Joyce London Alexander was a US District Court magistrate judge. She was the first African American to be appointed Chief Magistrate judge in the United States.



SAUNDRA GRAHAM

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Saundra Graham made history as the first woman of color to be elected to the Cambridge City Council in 1971.

Saundra has also been instrumental in the creation of several community organizations including the Riverside Cambridgeport Community Development Corporation (RCCC).

Saundra was honored along with Rosa Parks in the naming of the Graham & Parks School.



CHARLOTTE HAWKINS BROWN

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Charlotte Hawkins Brown was an author, educator, and founder of the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina.

Charlotte was active in national efforts to improve opportunities for African Americans, including the Southern Commission   for   Interracial Cooperation and the Negro Business League.

She became the first African American woman named to the national board of the YWCA.



CLEMENT GARNETT MORGAN

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Clement Garnett Morgan was an American attorney, civil rights activist, and city official of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

He was the first to accomplish many things:

  • First African American to earn degrees from both Harvard University and its law school
  • First African American to deliver Harvard's senior class oration;
  • First black alderman in New England.


RICHARD THEODORE GREENER

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Richard Theodore Greener was the first African American graduate of Harvard   College.

Richard would go on to become the Dean of the Howard University School of Law.



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Historical Sites

This map highlights special sites where Black changemakers lived, worked, and organized in Cambridge, MA.

Click on an icon to access information about the location. Click the "Find My Location" button to connect your location to the map. Click the "home" button to reposition the map. Click the "+" button to zoom closer. Click the "-" button to zoom out.


Black History Resources

Learn about the national civil rights movement and those that have contributed to it.