He was never a household name, but Albert Murray was one of the most important Black thinkers of the 20th century. Murray was born in Nokomis, Alabama on May 12, 1916. He attended the Tuskegee Institute, where he became friends with Ralph Ellison, author of the classic novel “Invisible Man.” He also became good friends with Romare Bearden, the influential painter, and was a mentor to jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. As a novelist, he wrote contentious essays that he became well known for. He wrote about his love and passion for blues, and jazz — his knowledge of Black culture and his astonishing command of literature. This social critic changed the way people talked about race by challenging Black separatism and insisting that the Black experience was central to American culture. cnn * * * * * #blackexcellence #blackhistorymonth #bhm #blackhistory #black #blackunity #blacklivesmatter #blackpride #grammysnom #sourceawards #grammysweekend #blackhistory365 #mlkday #boycott #ihaveadrea...