• The Nation of Islam is founded by Wallace Fard Muhammad. The Black religious movement was established with the goal of gaining independence for and unity amongst Black Americans. The group, however, was heavily criticized for its anti-White teachings and Black nationalist perspectives.

• The Tuskegee Syphilis Study begins. The study involved 600 Black men who believed that they were being treated for "bad blood", but were not informed that the purpose of the study was to observe the effects of untreated syphilis. This unethical experimentation on Black men resulted in widespread mistrust of medical professionals within the Black community. The experiment would last until 1972. 

• Carter G. Woodson publishes his book "Mis-education of the Negro". The book outlines the flaws he saw in the American education system. He believed that schools fail Black students by not considering their experiences, culture, and history when educating them. 

• The Supreme Court rules in the Norris v. Alabama case that defendants have the right to be tried by a jury consisting of their peers. Because of this, the Scottsboro Boys' conviction from 1931 was overturned. The impact of this ruling brought to light the importance of diversity and the negative affects of discrimination in United States courts.

• The first nationwide council of Black women's organizations, the National Council of Negro Women, is founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as a response to Black women being excluded from both white and Black male-dominated organizations. The organization advocated for Black people, sought to educate them, and lobbied politicians for the needs of the Black community.

• Zora Neale Hurston publishes "Their Eyes Were Watching God", a novel that addresses racism in the American south while utilizing Black language and culture. The novel was accused of appeasing White audiances and reinforcing stereotypes that took away from the civil rights cause. 

• President Reeves writes to the Dean of Saint Elizabeth College to ask about the school's approach to the admission of Black students. At the time, Seton Hill College had no Black students. The Dean responds stating how there was opposition from students and parents, however there was a Black student admitted. She was only allowed to attend as a day student and could not be socially involved on campus in order to appease parents. The Dean states: 

"Prejudice is strong and our students are not prepared to show race toleration to the extent of having colored girls live on the campus and share their social life."

• Crystal Bird Fauset becomes a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This makes her the first Black woman in the United States to be in this position.

• The Negro Actors Guild of America is founded by Fredi Washington, Ethel Waters, and more members of the Black theater community in order to change the representation of Black Americans in media and financially support Black entertainers.