Stories of people of color aren’t always found in the usual public records or data sets. Often, the stories are hidden in slave schedules and plantation accounting books. They are packed away with family secrets in an attic. They are in plain sight, carved on monuments and statues. Or they exist only in the minds and memories of our elders.
USA TODAY’s series “Never Been Told: The Lost History of America’s People of Color” aims to fill in the gaps in the national story. These stories elevate, through investigative and explanatory journalism, the people, places and ideas that are often left out of the history books.
In a time when we are relying more than ever on the internet for information, it’s easy to think that because we know a name, we know a story. But history isn’t a website brief. Nor is it a static document.
History is a fluid, living, energetic thing fed continuously by the stories of the people creating that history.
They include all the people of color whose labor and thought built our society. African, Asian, Latino and Native Americans – history is made by the participation of all people of all races and ethnicities.
Richard used her culinary talents to become a successful entrepreneur and likely the first Black TV chef in the USA. Her contributions are forgotten.
Richard used her culinary talents to become a successful entrepreneur and likely the first Black TV chef in the USA. Her contributions are forgotten. Read the story.
Photo of Lena Richard over a page from her brief 1944 autobiography. THE CLARENCE JOHN LAUGHLIN ARCHIVE AT THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION; JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER JR. LIBRARY, THE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION
“America Is in the Heart,” his definitive work, unveils hardships, heartaches and hopes of the first wave of Filipino workers to arrive in the USA.
“America Is in the Heart,” his definitive work, unveils hardships, heartaches and hopes of the first wave of Filipino workers to arrive in the USA. Read the story
Carlos Bulosan wrote “America Is in the Heart.” ILLUSTRATION BY MARA CORBETT, USA TODAY NETWORK; PHOTO BY AP
In 1993, Bob Kendrick met one of the Negro Leagues’ greatest players, Buck O’Neil. The meeting, and the stories, gave him his life’s mission.
In 1993, Bob Kendrick met one of the Negro Leagues’ greatest players, Buck O’Neil. The meeting, and the stories, gave him his life’s mission. Read the story
A chair made entirely out of Louisville Slugger baseball bats makes for an ideal throne for Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. PHOTO BY EVERT NELSON, TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
A Tejana woman’s dedication to preserving the structure – no matter what it cost her – is why we can still visit the site of the famous Texas battle.
A Tejana woman’s dedication to preserving the structure – no matter what it cost her – is why we can still visit the site of the famous Texas battle. Read the story
Collage of Adina De Zavala and the Alamo. Illustration by Mara Corbett; Provided photos
Before Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, this 19th-century free Black man was an antislavery activist, journalist and owner of the first Black bookstore.
Before Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, this 19th-century free Black man was an antislavery activist, journalist and owner of the first Black bookstore. Read the story
Collage of newspaper clippings File
In exile in France, McNair has built a life around community service and baseball. But he is still wanted by U.S. authorities for his 50-year-old crime.
In exile in France, McNair has built a life around community service and baseball. But he is still wanted by U.S. authorities for his 50-year-old crime. Read the story
Illustration of Melvin McNair Illustration by Veronica Bravo
Jimmie Lee Jackson’s 1965 killing by law enforcement inspired the ‘Bloody Sunday’ march. His death led to equal voting rights, but his story has been forgotten.
Jimmie Lee Jackson’s 1965 killing by law enforcement inspired the ‘Bloody Sunday’ march. His death led to equal voting rights, but his story has been forgotten. Read the story
Jimmie Lee Jackson and pages from The Montgomery Advertiser about Bloody Sunday. ILLUSTRATION BY MARA CORBETT; GANNETT ARCHIVES
History has been filtered primarily through the eyes of white men. It’s time to include stories about the lives, sacrifices and triumphs of people of color.
History has been filtered primarily through the eyes of white men. It’s time to include stories about the lives, sacrifices and triumphs of people of color. Read the story
People sit around the base of a baobab tree, telling stories. ILLUSTRATION BY JENNIFER BORRESEN; GETTY IMAGES
Published 8:54 pm UTC Dec. 16, 2021 Updated 8:54 pm UTC Dec. 16, 2021
