BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - DOROTHY DANDRIDGE

Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 9, 1922. Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister, Vivian Dandridge, began performing publicly, usually in black Baptist churches throughout the country. Her mother, Ruby Dandridge, an entertainer herself, would often join her daughters on stage. As the depression worsened, Dorothy and her family picked up and moved to Los Angeles where they had hopes of finding better work, perhaps in film. Her first film was in the Marx Brothers comedy, A Day at the Races (1937). It was only a bit part but Dorothy had hopes that it would blossom into something better. But because she was a black woman in a very prejudiced society, she didn't land the roles that were readily available to her white counterparts. 

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Artist: Reed R. McCants

BHMD PODCAST SEASON 3 EPISODE 5 PREVIEW

BHMD Podcast presented by #NeemaBarnette returns for Season 3 Episode 5 with a special Hip Hop edition featuring a conversation with Sha-Queen a.k.a. Ma Barker who at the age of 12 she began her rap career performing with artist such as LL Cool J, 50 Cent, NOE from ByrdGang , Kool G Rap. Hosted by Rapper/Producer Eleven Ego Crusher. 

Click on the link below to listen to the entire podcast episode on BuzzSprout. 

THE FATHER OF RAGTIME MUSIC - SCOTT JOPLIN

One of music's greatest, Scott Joplin was born on November 24, 1868. Black composer and pianist Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions and was dubbed the "King of Ragtime” writers. During his brief career, he died at age 49, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. His most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag", became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and he is recognized as “The Father of Ragtime Music”.

Joplin was born into a musical family of railway laborers in Northeast Texas, and developed his musical knowledge with the help of local teachers. 

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