BLACK IN TIME ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER FOR BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
JANUARY
January 1 - John. H. Clarke
Scholar and one of the foremost authorities on African and Black American History.
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January 2 - Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Academy Award-winning actor. Best known for his role as Rod Tidwell in the movie, "Jerry Maguire."
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January 3 - Marc Morial
Political/Civic Leader, and the current President of the National Urban League.
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January 4 - Grace Bumbry
Considered one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation.
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January 5 - Alvin Ailey
Acclaimed choreographer, dancer and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, born in Rogers, Texas.
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January 6 - John Singleton
Director John Singleton, most well known for his film "Boyz in the Hood" was born on this day in 1968 in Los Angeles.
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January 7 - Zora Neal Hurston
The Most Prominent And Prolific Black Female Writer Of The 1920's 1930's And 1940's, Best known for the 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God."
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January 8 - Fanny M. Jackson - Coppin
Pioneer Educator, First Black American Female college Graduate (Oberlin College) & First Black American woman to become a school principal.
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January 9 - Earl Graves, Sr.
Author, publisher, entrepreneur and philanthropist, born in Brooklyn, New York. He is the founder of Black Enterprise Magazine.
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January 10 - Max Roach
Generally considered to be one of the most important drummers in history, he was born in 1925.
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January 11 - Mary J. Blige
Widely known as the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul", Multi-platinum artist Born in 1971.
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January 12 -Mordecai W. Johnson
Educator, Mordecai W Johnson was born in Paris, Tennessee. Johnson served as the first Black president of Howard University, from 1926 until 1960.
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January 13 - Traci Bingham
Model/actress, born n Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is best known for playing the role of Jordan Tate on the television series, " Baywatch," between 1996 and 1998.
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January 14 - Franklin Delano Raines
Franklin Delano Raines is the former CEO of Fannie Mae, which made him the First Black American to head a Fortune 500 company is born in Seattle, Washington.
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January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Perhaps the best-known leader of the Black American Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s. His "I Have A Dream" Speech, delivered at the March on Washington, in 1963, is considered one of the greatest orations of the 20th Century. The youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis, TN, April 4, 1968.
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January 16 - Debbie Allen
Dancer/Choreographer/Actress/Director/Producer, most famous for her role as Lydia Grant in the film and television series "Fame" As a producer/director, she was also responsible for the success of Tv's 90s sitcom, "A Different World."
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January 17 - First Lady, Michelle Obama
The wife of the nation's First Black American President, Barack Obama, she is America's First Black First Lady. She's also a graduate of Harvard Law School. Causes she has been involved with include, Childhood Obesity, Homlessness and Public Service.
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January 18 - Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Dr. Williams performed the First Successful Open Heart Surgery on Record, He is the founder of Provident Hospital and also the First Black physician named as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
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January 19 - John H. Johnson
Publisher of "Ebony Magazine" and "Jet," born in Arkansas City, Arkansas. Johnson was the First Black Person to appear on the Forbes 400 Rich List.
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January 20 - Eva Jessye
Born in Coffeyville, Kansas. She is known as the First Black woman to receive international distinction as a professional choral conductor. She is notable as a female choral conductor during the Harlem Renaissance.
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January 21 - Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon
Nigerian-born, Hall-of-Fame NBA center for the Houston Rockets. He won a Gold Medal in the 1996 Olympics and has been named one of the 50 greatest players in professional basketball history.
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January 22 - Willa Brown Chapell
Aviator, politician, educator and activist, Willa Brown gleaned strength and inspiration from the life work of Bessie Coleman. She was instrumental in establishing the Coffey School of Aeronautics and in doing so, fulfilled Bessie's long standing dream of an all black flying school. With a master's degree from Northwestern University and a Master Mechanic's Certificate, Willa became the first Black American woman to earn a commercial pilot's license in the U.S. She was also the first Black American to achieve an officer's rank in the Civil Air Patrol and lead the fight to integrate African Americans into the U.S. Army Corp.
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January 23 - Susan Taylor
Author, editor, writer, journalist, born in New York, New York to a father from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Taylor is gained fame as the Editor-in-chief of the enormously popular magazine Essence magazine.
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January 24 - Aaron Neville
R&B Legend and multiple gammy-winning singer, best known for his number one hit "Tell It Like It Is" was born on this day in New Orleans.
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January 25 - Etta James
R&B Legend, born, Jamesetta Hawkins. She is a 4-time Grammy winner and the recipient of 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
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January 26 - Bessie Coleman
The First Black female pilot and First Black American to hold an international pilot's license.
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January 27 - Bobby "Blue" Bland
Blues signer Robert Calvin Bland born in Rosemark, Tennessee. He is a blues singer and is sometimes referred to as the "Lion of the Blues." He is most well known for a series of hit releases including "Cry Cry Cry," "I Pity The Fool," "Turn On Your Love Light" and "Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City."
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January 28 - Richmond Barthe
Black American sculptor most well know for his Toussaint L’Ouverture Monument, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was born in St. Louis, Mississippi.
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January 29 - Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She is most well known for her self-titled Television show, "Oprah," which became the highest rated talk show in Television History. Oprah is also an Academy Award nominated actress, a magazine publisher and the only Black American female Billionaire. A philanthropist, she founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, in South Africa, with her own money. She also the creator of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
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January 30 - Sharon Pratt (Dixon) Kelly
Born in Washington, D.C..
She was the elected mayor of Washington, D.C. and served from January 2, 1991 – January 2, 1995 -- making her the first woman and the first Black American woman, to serve as mayor of a major American city. |
January 31 - Jackie Robinson
Born in Cairo, Georgia. In 1947, Robinson became the first Black American major league baseball player of the modern era, when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
FEBRUARY
February 1 - Langston Hughes
American poet, novelist, playwright, short-story writer and columnist. Best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.
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February 2 - William Artis
Ceramacist and sculptor. Best known for his sensitive portrayals of Black male subjects.
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February 3 - Dennis Edwards
Grammy-award winning R&B Singer. Best known for his work as lead singer with the legendary Motown Group, the Temptations.
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February 4 - Rosa Parks
Civil rights activist. Best known as the "Mother" of the modern-day civil rights movement.
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February 5 - Henry "Hank" Aaron
Hall of Fame Major League baseball player. Best known as the first man to break Babe Ruth's home run record, April 8, 1974.
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February 6 - Melvin Tolson
Educator and writer. Built up an award-winning debate team In 1935, Led the Wiley Debate Team to the national championship to defeat the University of Southern California before an audience of 1,100 people.
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February 7 - Chris Rock
Comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director.
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February 8 - Gary Coleman
Actor. 1970s and 1980s television child star. Best known for his role as Arnold on the TV sitcom, "Diffrernt Strokes."
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February 9 - Alice Walker
Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Best known for her novel, "The Color Purple."
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February 10 - Leontyne Price
Award-winning operatic soprano. known for the title role of Verdi's "Aida."
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February 11 - Daniel James
First Black officer in the history of the United States military to attain 4-star full General rank.
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February 12 - Arsenio Hall
Actor, Comedian and host of The "Arsenio Hall Show," from 1989 -1994.
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February 13 - Emmett J. Scott
Chief aide to Booker T. Washington. He was also the highest ranking African American in President Woodrow Wilson’s administration.
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February 14 - Frederick Douglass
Ex-slave, abolitionist, journalist, statesman & orator. One of the most important figures in the anti-slavery movement
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February 15 - Brian Holland
Songwriter & Record Producer, Best Known as a Member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the Songwriting & Production Team that was Responsible for much of the Motown Sound, During the 1960s
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February 16 - Levar Burton
Actor and Television peronality. Best known for his role as the young Kunta Kente in the award-winning TV mini-series, "Roots."
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February 17 - Michael Jordan
Basketball Superstar. Inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2009. Won 6 NBA Championships and 5 MVP Awards, while playing with the Chicago Bulls.
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February 18 - Toni Morrison
Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Best known works include "The Bluest Eye," "Song of Solomon" and "Beloved."
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February 19 - William "Smokey" Robinson
Grammy Award-winning Music Legend. As company Vice-President, also helped establish Motown as one of the most powerful record labels in the world.
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February 20 - Sidney Poitier
First Black American Actor To Win An Academy Award For Best Actor, for his role in the movie, "Lillies of the Field." (1963).
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February 21 - Nina Simone
Iconic (Jazz) singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist.
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February 22 - Julius Erving
Innovative, NBA Hall Of Fame Superstar, who popularized the art of playing basketball above the rim. Best known as "Dr. J."
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February 23 - W.E.B. Du Bois
Scholar, educator, author, journalist, co-founder of the NAACP
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February 24 - Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Boxing champion in 6 different weight categories. Rated the number 1, pound-for-pound, boxer in the world, at one time.
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February 25 - Donald Quarrie
Olympic gold medalist and one of the top sprinters in the world, during the 1970s
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February 26 - Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino
Best-Selling R&B artist during the 1950s, according to Billboard. Best Known for the Rock 'N Roll classic, "Blueberry Hill."
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February 27 - Marian Anderson
The first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955.
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Former NFL player who became an actor in the 1970s.
Best known for his role as Moses Hightower in the Police Academy film series |
MARCH
March 1 - Harry Belafonte
Singer, actor and civil and human rights activist. Credited with having the first album in recording history to sell over a million copies .
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March 2 - George "Mule" Suttles
Great Negro League power hitter. Known in some circles as "The Black Babe Ruth."
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March 3 - Jackie" Joyner-Kersee
First American to Win Gold for the Long Jump & the FIRST WOMAN to earn More Than 7,000 Points in the Seven-Event Heptathlon. To date, she's MOST DECORATED FEMALE ATHLETE in Olympic Track & Field History!!
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March 4 - Garrett A. Morgan
American inventor. Best known for creating the devices known today as the gas mask and traffic light.
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March 5 - Fred Williamson
Former pro football legend who was known as "The Hammer" during his playing days. Became a very successful television and motion picture actor and businessman, during the 1970s.
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March 6 - Shaquille O'Neal
Four-time NBA champion and superstar center with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. Has also been successful as a rapper and actor.
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March 7 - Wanda Sykes
Comedian, actress and talk show host. Films include "Evan Almighty" and "My Super Ex-Girlfiriend"
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March 8 - Louise Beavers
Pioneering actress during the 1920s and 1930s. Most famous and noted role was her portrayal of Delilah Johnson, in the original 1934 version of "Imitation Of Life."
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March 9 - Floyd B. McKissick, Sr.
Civil Rights activist and the first Black student at the University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill's Law School.
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March 10 - Hallie Quinn Brown
Educator, author and elocutionist who pioneered in the movement for Black women's clubs.
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March 11 - Bobby McFerrin
Grammy Award-winning Singer most well known for his #1 hit "Dont Worry Be Happy."
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March 12 - Al Jarreau
Seven-time Grammy Award winner and the only vocalist in history to win in three separate categories: jazz, pop, and R&B.
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March 13 - Common
Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. Rapper and actor, born in Chicago.
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March 14 - Quincy Jones
Jazz musician and music producer. Had mny successful collaborations with Michael Jackson. Most successful album produced, Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
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March 15 - Sly Stone
Music Legend and a key figure in popularizing the Funk Music genre in the 1960s & 1970s.
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March 16 - Rebecca J. Cole
Dr. Rebecca J. Cole became the Second Black Woman M.D. in the United States In 1867.
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March 17 - Nat King Cole
Legendary jazz musician and singer. First Black American to have a network television show.
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March 18 - Vanessa Williams
Grammy Award-winning singer and actress. Became the nation's First Black Miss America in 1984.
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March 19 - Jackie "Moms" Mabley
Legendary and pioneering comedian and actress who broke down industry barriers for Blacks and women
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March 20 - Spike Lee
Emmmy Award winning filmmaker. Most famous for "Do the Right thing" and "Malcolm X."
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March 21 - Harold Nicholas
Harold Nicholas, the younger half of the famous Nicholas Brothers was born in Mobile, Alabama.
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March 22 - George Benson
George Benson, jazz guitarist was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Benson is most well know for hits such as "Breezin," "Masquerade," and "The Greatest Love of All."
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March 23 - Moses Malone
One of the National Basketball Association's 50 Greatest players and the first to enter the NBA out of high school.
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March 24 - Dorothy Height
Educator, administrator and civil rights icon and activist. Recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.
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March 25 - Aretha Franklin
The undisputed "Queen Of Soul," Franklin is a Multi-Grammy-winning singer. She is the first woman inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame
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March 26 - Diana Ross
Singer & Oscar-nominated actress who became famous at Motown Records, as lead singer of the Supremes.
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March 27 - Sarah Vaughn
Legendary jazz singer whose voice has been described as one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."
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March 28 - Lutrelle Palmer
Chicago-based journalist, radio personality and political activist, known as "The panther with a pen."
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March 29 - Pearl Bailey
Tony & Emmy Award-Winning singer & actress, born in Newport News, Virginia
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March 30 - Countee Cullen
One of the most prolific poets to emerge out of the Harlem Renaissance
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March 31 -Jack Johnson
The Nation's first Black heavyweight boxing champion
APRIL
April 1 - Gil Scott-Heron
The radical poet, Gil Scott-Heron, best known for his militant poem and song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," was born in Chicago, Illinois.
April 3 - Eddie Murphy
Comedic actor born in Brooklyn, New York. Murphy is best known for films such as "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Coming to America."
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April 2 - Marvin Gaye
R&B, Grammy-winning Motown Legend, born in Washington, DC. Best known for hits that include "What's Going' On," "Let's Get It On" & "Sexual Healing."
April 4 - Maya Angelou
Poet, educator, actress & dancer. Best known for the book, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,"
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April 5 - Booker T. Washington
Educator and businessman. Best known as the founder of HBCU, Tuskegee Institute
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April 6 - Billy Dee Williams
Accomplished Actor and artist. Best Known for his many movie roles during the 1970s
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April 7 - Billie Holiday
Legendary blues & jazz singer, known as "Lady Day." Signature Song, "GOD Bless The Child."
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April 8 - Kofi Atta Annan
The first Black Secretary-General of the United Nations. He served in this role until January 1, 2007.
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April 9 - Paul Robeson
Born in Princeton, New Jersey. Robeson was a multi-lingua actor, athlete, Basso cantante concert singer, writer, civil rights activist, scholar, lawyer, NAACP Spingarn Medal winner and Stalin Peace Prize laureate.
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April 10 - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer
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April 11 - Jane M. Bolin
The first Black American, Woman judge and the First Black Woman to receive a law degree from Yale.
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April 12 - Herbie Hancock
Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning jazz musician.
One of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound |
April 13 - Al Green
R&B & gospel singer. Best known for hits like "Tired of Being Alone," "Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still In Love With You" and "Call Me."
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April 14 - Eugene "Jug" Ammons
Known as "The Boss," Ammons was a jazz tenor saxophone player and the son of boogie-woogie pianist, Albert Ammons
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April 15 - Asa Phillip Randolph
Labor leader and Civil Rights activist who co-organized the 1963 March On Washington. Once called "the most dangerous Negro in America."
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April 16 - Kreem Abdul-Jabbar
He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season MVP Awards. Voted on of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players!!
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April 17 - Mifflin Wistar Gibbs
The First Elected Black municipal judge in the United States, Born In Arkansas.
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April 18 - James McCune Smith
First Black American to earn a medical degree and to run a pharmacy in the United States.
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April 19 - Ehtridge Knight
Poet best-known for his debut volume, "Poems from Prison," 1968.
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April 20 - Luther Vandross
Eight-Time Grammy Award-winning R&B artist who sold more than 25 million albums during his career.
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April 21 - Clara Ward
Legendary gospel performer and leader of the famous, Ward Singers
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April 22 - Charles Mingus
Jazz bassist, composer and bandleader, born in Nogales, Arizona.
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April 23 - Granville T. Woods
Known as the "Black Edison," Woods invented many devices to improve electric railway cars.
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April 24 - Cedric Kyles
Comedian and actor, known professionally as Cedric The Entertainer
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April 25 - Medadowlark Lemon
Known as the "Clown Prince Of Basketball," he played with the world-famous Harlem Globtrotters basketball team, for more than 30 years.
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April 26 - Gertrude "Ma" Raney
Legendary singer known as the "Mother Of The Blues" and one of the first blues artists heard on a phonograph record.
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April 27 - Hubert Harrison
West Indian American writer, orator, educator, critic, and radical political activist.
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April 28 - Jessie Fauset
Called one of the “midwives” of the Harlem Renaissance by poet Langston Hughes, Fauset was an editor, poet, essayist and novelist.
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April 29 - Duke Ellington
Legendary composer, musician and band leader. Famous for tunes such as "The 'A' Train" and "Satin Doll."
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April 30 - Isiah Lord Thomas III
One of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. He won two championships with the Detroit Pistons and was inducted into the NBA Hall Of Fame in 2000.
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MAY
May 1 - Max Robinson
The first Black American broadcast network news anchor - ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT .
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May 2 - Nannie Helen Burroughs
Educator, activist, public speaker & business woman.
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May 3 - James Brown
Known as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." He single-handedly created the Funk Genre with hit singles including " (I Got You) I Feel Good", "Sex &Machine," & "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag." His Song, "Say it Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)," is said to be the most important R&B record ever made.
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May 4 - Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson
The eldest member of the legendary group, the Jackson 5.
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May 5 - Johnnie Taylor
Legendary R&B, soul, gospel and blues singer. Best known for hits like "It's Cheaper To Keep Her," "Who's Making Love" and "Disco Lady."
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May 6 - Gabourey Sidibe
Award-winning actress who made her acting debut in the 2009 film, "Precious."
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May 7 - Mary Mahoney
America's first Black registered nurse.
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May 8 - Robert Johnson
Legendary blues guitarist, songwriter Robert Johnson born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi
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May 9 - Ralph Boston
Olympic Gold Medalist. Best remembered for his successes in the long-jump during the 1960s.
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May 10 - Henry Bibb
Educator, author and abolitionist. Established Canada's first Black newspaper, Voice of the Fugitive
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May 11 - Louis Farrakhan
National Leader of The Nation Of Islam. He's Instrumental in bringing the religion of of Islam into the mainstream of America
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May 12 - Hazel Harrison
Classical pianist known at one time as the "premiere pianist of her time."
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May 13 - Stevie Wonder
Legendary and one of the most successful music artists in history. One of the key figures the creation of the King Holiday.
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May 14 - Archie Alexander
Mathematician, design and construction engineer. Black American graduate of the University of Iowa. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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May 15 - Alvin Poussaint
Noted Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Has written several books on the subject of Black children
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May 16 - Janet Jackson
Youngest sibling of the legendary Jackson family. A multi-grammy winning artist who has sold over 100 million records world-wide.
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May 17 - Ray Leonard
Widely considered to be one of the best boxers of all time. He won world titles in five weight divisions and was first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses
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May 18 - Joe Turner
Known professionally as Big Joe Turner and The "Boss of the Blues." He helped lay the foundation for modern-day Rock 'N Roll. He first recorded the classic "Shake Rattle And Roll," which was later redone by Bill Haley & The Comets
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May 19 - Malcolm X
The Nation of Islam's most controversial and popular figure during the 1960s.
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May 20 - Toussaint L'Ouverture
Haitian Revolutionary and Martyr
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May 21 - Clarence "Big House Gaines
Winston Salem State University Men's basketball coach who is currently 9th on the list of most wins in NCAA history.
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May 22 - Bernard Shaw
Award-winning journalist and former anchor of CNN News
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May 23 - Scatman Crothers
Best known for his role on the television show "Chico and the Man" and for the voices of jazz in the animated television series "Transformers" and the lead role in "Hong Kong Phooey."
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May 24 - Patti LaBelle
R&B legend known for her many hits, including "Lady Marmalade" (with LaBelle), "New Attitude" and "On My Own" (with Michael McDonald.)
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May 25 - Al Attles
The First full-time, Black head Coach to win an NBA Championship (1975 with the Golden State Warriors)
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May 26 - Pam Grier
Born in Winston-Salem, NC, Grier is most well known for playing the lead role in "Foxy Brown," "Coffee" and other films of the 1970's.
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May 27 - Louis Gossett
Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. He is most well known for roles in films such as "Roots," and "An Officer And A Gentleman" which earned him Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
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May 28 - Dr. Betty Shabazz
Activist and widow of Malcolm X. Dr. Shabazz born in Detroit, Michigan.
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May 29 - Dr. Henry McBay
Chemist and Professor at Morehouse College. His research with acetyl peroxide—with which many other scientists refused to work because of its volatile nature—led to the synthesis of a hormone used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
May 31 - Shirley Verrett
Renowned Soprano. Well known for her singing in French and Italian opera, particularly works of Verdi and Donizetti.
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May 30 - Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry
Known professionally as Stepin Fetchit, he first black actor to become a Hollywood millionaire.
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JUNE
June 1 - Morgan Freeman
Academy Award winning actor. Most well known for his roles in "Glory," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Lean On Me."
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June 2 - Cornel West
Activist, educator scholar and author born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
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June 3 - Josephine Baker
Singer / actress Josephine Baker the first Black American woman to star in a major motion picture,
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June 4 - Keith David
Film and voice actor. Known for his roles in the movies "Platoon," "Crash," "Dead Presidents" and "Clockers."
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June 5 - John Carlos
Most well known for raising a black gloved fist during the playing of the American anthem while standing on the winner's podium after winning a Bronze medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.
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June 6 - Tommie Smith
Won the 200-meter dash at the 1968 Summer Olympics. But it was his raising of a black gloved fist during the playing of the National anthem which made him famous.
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June 7 - Prince Rogers Nelson
Singer, songwriter, musician . Starred in the autobiographical film, "Purple Rain" and Was inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.
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June 8 - Keenan Ivory Wayans
Actor, director, comedian. Best known for creating the FOX sketch comedy series "In Living Color."
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June 9 - Jackie Wilson
The man known as "Mr. Excitement." One of the pioneers of modern-day Soul and R&B music.
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June 10 - Hattie McDaniel
Actress and singer who was the first Black American to win an Academy Award for her role in the movie, "Gone With The Wind."
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June 11 - Hazel Scott
Singer/ Pianist who was also the first Black woman to have her own Television Show was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
June 13 - Doc Cheatham
Legendary jazz trumpeter, singer and band leader.
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June 12 - Barbara C. Harris
On February 11, 1989, she became the world's first female Anglican bishop.
June 14 - John Edgar Wideman
Acclaimed writer and Rhodes scholar, Born In Washington, DC
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June 15 - Josiah Henson
Ex-slave, abolitionist, educator and minister who escaped to freedom in Canada
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June 16 - Marita Bonner
Harlem Renaissance era writer, essayist, and playwright.
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June 17 - James W. Johnson
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June 18 - Nathan Morris
The founder of the R&B group Boyz II Men. Their hits include "End of the Road" and "I'll Make Love To You."
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June 19 - Phylicia Rashad
Actress/singer, most well known for her role as Clair Huxtable in television's "Cosby Show" Also made history in 2004, becoming the first Black actress to win a Tony Award for her role in "A Raisin In The Sun."
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June 20 - Lionel Richie
Academy Award and Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, born in Tuskegee, Alabama. Richie has sold over 100 million records as a solo artist and as a member of the Commodores. He is known for his many hits including "Easy", "Three Times A Lady" and "All Night Long."
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June 21 - Brenda Holloway
R&B singer born in Atascadero, California. She is best known for her Motown hits which include "Every Little Bit Hurts."
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June 22 - Katherine Dunham
Esteemed choreographer, activist and educator - often called the "Mother of Black Dance" Katherine Dunham was born in Joliet, llinois, in 1909.
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June 23 - Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice born in Pin Point, Georgia.
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June 24 - Derrick "Duckie" Simpson
Lead vocalist of the reggae group Black Uhuru, born in Jamaica.
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June 25 - Jimmy Walker
Actor/comedian best-known for his character, J.J. Evans, on the 1970s sitcom, "Good Times."
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June 26 - Bernard Harris
Astronaut, who on On February 9, 1995, became the first Black American to walk in Space.
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June 27 - Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first Black American to gain national eminence as a poet.
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June 28 - Tichina Arnold
Actress, best known for her role as Pamela James in " Martin," as well as her role as the matriarch, Rochelle, in " Everybody Hates Chris."
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June 29 - Kwame Ture
Once known as Stokely Carmichael, he was a Black Power freedom fighter, who was also a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther Party.
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June 30 - Lena Horne
Pioneering and legendary singer/actress. Most well known for her hit "Stormy Weather." She was the first Black American performer to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio, namely Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She has won 5 Grammy Awards in her illusturous career.
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July
July 1 - Walter F. White
Former Executive Director of the NAACP, Born in Atlanta, Georgia.
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July 2 - Medgar Evers
Former NAACP Field Secretary, murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi, in 1963.
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July 3 - Montel Williams
Montel Brian Anthony Williams An American television personality, radio talk show host and actor. He is best known as host of the long-running The "Montel Williams Show."
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July 4 - Bill Withers
R&B legend born in West Virginia. Some of his best-known songs are "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lovely Day," "Lean on Me" and "Just the Two of Us."
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July 5 - Smiley Lewis
New Orleans R&B singer who had a big hit with the song, "I Hear You Knocking," during the 1950s.
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July 6 - Della Reese
Singer/Actress. Well known for both her music and her television and acting roles.
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June 7 - Margaret Walker
Well-known Alabama-born poet. One of her most famous works is "For My People."
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July 8 - Billy Eckstine
Legendary jazz vocalist born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is known for hits including "My Foolish Heart."
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July 9 - Jester Hairston
Singer, songwriter, composer & actor. Born In North Carolina. Wrote the song "Amen," featured in the movie, "Lilies of The Field," for which Sidney Poitier became the first Black American to win an Oscar for Best Actor.
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July 10 - Mary McLeod Bethune
Legendary educator & activist. Born in Mayesville, South Carolina. She is best-known for founding a school in 1904 that later became part of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach.
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July 11 - Leon Spinks
Former heavyweight boxing Champion who won the title from Muhammad Ali in 1978
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July 12 - Bill Cosby
Comedian and actor, well known for television shows "I Spy", "Fat Albert" and "The Cosby Show." He is also well known for his role as spokesman for Jell-O Pudding and more recently for his scathing social commentary on the state of Black America.
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July 13 - Gerald Levert
R&B singer, born in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Ojays lead vocalist, Eddie Levert,
Levert's successful career includes the hits, "Casanova" and "Baby Hold On to Me." |
July 14 - Maulana Karenga
Contoversial author, former Black Panther and activist. He is most well known as the founder of the Kwanzaa celebration
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Forest Whitaker - July 15
Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy winning actor, producer, and director, born in Longview, Texas. He has played important roles in films such as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Platoon." It was his role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" which earned him the 2007 Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
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Ida B. Wells Barnett - July 16
Civil rights activist born in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She was a civil rights advocate and an early women's rights advocate active, in the Woman Suffrage Movement. As a journalist, she was fearless in her opposition to lynching and documented hundreds of cases. She was also one of the co-founders of the NAACP.
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July 17 - Phoebie Snow
Singer Phoebe Ann Laub better known as Phoebe Snow. She is most well known for her hit "Poetry Man."
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July 18 - Nelson Mandela
Freedom fighter, former President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Nelson Mandela born in Mvezo, Umtata South Africa. After his 27 year imprisonment, he became his country's first Black President in 1994.
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July 19 - Alice Dunbar
Poet, journalist and political activist, She was one of the prominent Black Americans involved in the artistic flourishing of the Harlem Renaissance
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July 20 - Frantz Fanon
Writer born in Martinique. He is most well known for his classic "Wretched of the Earth."
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July 21- Floyd McDaniel
Singer/guitarist, born in Athens, Alabama. Known for blues-drenched jazz and jazz-drenched blues.
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July 22 - Danny Glover
Actor/Activist, Best known for his role as Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" series of movies born in San Francisco, California.
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July 23 - Helen Martin
Broadway, television and film actress. Best known for her roles as "Weeping Wanda" on "Good Times" and Pearl on "227."
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June 24 - Alexandre Dumas
French born novelist whose books, "The Three Musketeers," "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Man in the Iron Mask," have made him one of the most widely read authors in the world.
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July 25 -Walter Payton
NFL Football legend, born born in Columbia, Mississippi. He started his professional career with the Bears, who selected him as the 1975 Draft’s fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Player of the Year Awards, and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears.
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July 26 - Maria Fearing
A former slave who became an educator and missionary. She is best known for establishing the Pantops Home for Girls, in the African Congo.
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July 27 - Plummer Bernard Young, Sr.
Called the "Dean of the Negro Press." P.B. Young was Born in Littleton, North Carolina. He published The Norfolk Journal and Guide, which became the largest selling Black newspaper in the South, and one of the most influential Black papers in the United States.
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July 28 - Vida Blue
A Cy Young and MVP award winning, 6 time all- star pitcher, He was also a 3-time World Series winner.
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July 29 - Chester Himes
Author of "Cotton Comes to Harlem" and "A Rage in Harlem" (both adapted as films) born in Jefferson City, Missouri.
July 31 - Whitney Moore Young Jr
As as head of the National Urban League (1961–71), the world's largest social-civil rights organization, he spearheaded the drive for equal opportunity for Blacks in U.S. industry and government.
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July 30 -
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AUGUST
August 1 - Benjamin Mays
Born in Ninety Six, South Carolina, Dr. Mays was a minister, educator, scholar, social activist and the president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
He was also a significant mentor to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and was among the most articulate and outspoken critics of segregation before the rise of the modern civil rights movement in the United States. |
August 2 - James Baldwin
Author and activist, James Baldwin, born in New York, New York. He is most well known for his novels, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Giovanni's Room."
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August 3 - Edward W. Blyden
During the late nineteenth century, the the best known and most highly respected African intellectual in the Western world. He has been called the "Father of Pan-Africanism."
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August 4 - President Barack Obama
Born in Hawaii, Barack Obama is the 44th and First Acknowledged Black American President Of The United States.
On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States. On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President of the United States. On January 21, 2009, at 12:01 PM EST Barack Obama was sworn in as the first Black president in an inaugural ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. |
August 5 - Patrick Ewing
Former NBA All-star Center for the New York Knicks. Votee one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players
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August 6 - Dorian Harewood
Actor and Singer. Actor Dorian Harewood born est known for his roles in "Full Metal Jacket" and "Roots: The Next Generations."
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August 7- Ralph Bunche
The first person of color to receive a Nobel Peace Prize (1950), was born in Detroit, Michigan.
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August 8 - Matthew Henson
Explorer who was the first man to reach the North Pole.
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August 9 - Janie Porter Barrett
Educator, reformer and social worker.She was also the founder of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
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August 10 - Anna J. Cooper
Author and educator, born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cooper was one of the most important Black American scholars in United States history. Upon receiving a Ph. D in history from the University of Paris-Sorbonne in 1924, Cooper became the fourth Black American woman to earn a doctoral degree. She was also a prominent member of Washington, DC's Black American community.
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August 11 - Alex Haley
Author of "Roots," born in Ithaca New York. Haley is also known for co-writing the "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" with Malcolm X.
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August 12 - Lillian Evanti
World famous opera star, Evanti, a soprano, debuted in 1927 in Delibes's Lakmé at Nice, France. She graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor's Degree in music and studied in France and Italy.
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August 13 - Kathleen Battle
Grammy winning operatic soptrano born in Portsmouth, Ohio.
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August 14 - Ervin "Magic" Johnson
Former Superstar basketball player turned successful businessman, born in Lansing, Michigan. Johnson is acknowledged as one of the 50 greatest NBA basketball players in history, winning 5 championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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August 15 - Maxine Waters
Maxine Waters born in St. Louis, Missouri. Congresswoman Waters is a Democrat from California.
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August 16 - Carol Mosely Braun
To date, the first, and the only, Black American woman elected to the United States Senate. She's the first and to date only woman elected to the Senate from Illinois. She was in office from January 5th, 1993 to January 3rd, 1999.
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August 17 - Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Born in St. Ann's Bay, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He is known for advancing Pan-African philosophy and as the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
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August 18 - Malcolm Jamal Warner
Actor/Director, best known for his role as "Theo" on televsion's "Cosby Show" born in Jersey City, New Jersey.
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August 19 - Charles Bolden
Astronaut, born in Columbia, South Carolina. A veteran of four space flights, he has logged over 680 hours in space. He is the first Black American head to NASA on a permanent basis
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August 20 - Isaac Hayes
Grammy Award winning Singer / Songwriter, born in Covington, Tennessee. His well known film score, for the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft, earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards.
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August 21 - Wilt Chamberlin
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and nicknamed "Wilt the Stilt," "The Big Dipper" and "Chairman of the Boards," Chamberlin was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; and also played for the Harlem Globetrotters. The 7 foot 1 inch Chamberlain, who weighed 250 lb as a rookie before bulking up to 275 lb and eventually over 300 lb with the Lakers, played the center position and is widely considered one of the greatest and most dominant players in the history of the NBA. He was was named one of the 50 greatest players in the game's history.
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August 22 - John Lee Hooker
Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker born in Clarkdale, Mississippi. His best known songs include "Boogie Chillen" (1948) and "Boom Boom" (1962). Hooker won two Grammy Awards: Best Traditional Blues Recording, 1990 for "I'm in the Mood" (with Bonnie Raitt) and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, 1998, "Don't Look Back" (with Van Morrison.)
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August 23 - Dr. James Shober
Born in Winston Salem, NC, in 1853, he was the first Black physician to practice in North Carolina.
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August 24 - Reggie Miller
Born in Riverside, California. Miller spent the entirety of his 18-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers. He holds the NBA record for career three-pointers made (2,560).
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August 25 - Althea Gibson
Born on August, 25th, 1927. She became the first Black American Wimbledon tennis champion and the first African-American to win a Grand Slam event (French Open)
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August 26 - Valerie Simpson
Singer /Songwriter Valerie Simpson Ashford born in Fairfield, South Carolina. Simpson and husband Nick Ashford are a successfull songwriting team writing the hits "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." They have also released hits as recording artists including "Solid as a Rock."
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August 27 - Rose McClendon
Known as the "Negro first lady of the dramatic stage," she was a leading Broadway actress during the 1920s.
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August 28 - Wendell Scott
Broke the color barrier in Southern stock car racing. He became the first Black American to obtain a NASCAR racing license.
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August 29 - Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson born in Gary, Indiana. He debuted at the age of five as a member of the Jackson 5, and went on to become a pop icon as a solo artist.
Michael Jackson received thirteen Grammy Awards including eight on a single night in 1984. He is considered the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by Guinness World Records and holds the record for the best-selling album ever, Thriller. His records have sold over 750 million units worldwide. He was also a notable philanthropist and humanitarian who donated and raised million of dollars through support of 39 charities and his own Heal the World Foundation. Jackson died at the age of 50 in Los Angeles, California, after suffering from cardiac arrest. He had been preparing for the This Is It concert tour in 2009 which included 50 sold out dates at London's O2 Arena. His memorial service was broadcast live around the world. In late August, 2009, the Los Angeles County coroner released his findings calling Jackson's death a homicide due to complications from drugs administered by his personal physician. Jackson is survived by his 3 children. Jackson transformed the art of the music video and paved the way for modern pop music in his own country. He has influenced several leading musical artists, including Mariah Carey, Usher, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and R. Kelly. |
August 30 - Robert Parish
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana. Parish was a 4x NBA champion (3 times with the Boston Celtics and once with the Chicago Bulls) He was named one of the NBA'S 50 Greatest Players and elected to the Hall of Fame
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August 31 - Eldridge Cleaver
American civil rights leader, author and Black Panther,r born in
Wabbaseka, Arkansas. Cleaver is the writer of the book "Soul on Fire."
Wabbaseka, Arkansas. Cleaver is the writer of the book "Soul on Fire."
SEPTEMBER
September 1 - Tim Hardaway
Born in Chicago, Illinois. Hardaway professional career spanned from 1989 until 2003. He played for the Golden State Warriors (1989–96), the Miami Heat (1996-2001), the Dallas Mavericks (2001-2002), the Denver Nuggets (2002) and the Indiana Pacers (2003).. He is known for popularizing the cross-over dribble.
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September 2 - Walter Macafee
A member of the Project Diana team that was responsible for the first lunar radar echo experiments in 1946. The goal of Project Diana was to determine if a high frequency radio signal, could penetrate the outer atmosphere of the earth. The solution was to send a radar signal to the moon and bounce it back to earth.
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September 3 - Dorothy Maynor
Noted Black American soprano and music educator, who founded the Harlem School of the Arts.
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September 4 - Richard Wright
Author, bornn in Natchez, Mississippi. Best known for his books, "Black Boy" and "Native Son."
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September 5 - Larry Neal
One of the most influential scholars, authors and philosophers of the Black Arts Movement
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September 6 - Evangeline Jennings Hall
Florida Civil Rights activist and First Black Woman President of her county's local Democratic Party. As a member of the League of Women Voters, Hall registered people to vote for many years
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August 7 - Jacob Lawrence
Artist and educator, born in Atlantic City, NJ. He emerged as one of America's leading figurative artists and the first to document the history of African Americans through widely-viewed and influential artworks
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August 8 - Ruby Bridges
She is known as the first African-American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South.She attended William Frantz Elementary School., In New Orleans LA
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September 9 - Otis Redding
R&B Legend,born in Dawson, Georgia. He is best known for his posthumous hit single, "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay."
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September 10 - Moran Weston
Priest, banker and real estate broker who in 1948, joined with 14 others to found the Carver Federal Savings Bank. He was principally responsible for raising the $250,000 for a federal charter after the state had denied it a charter. He went on to serve as both president and chairman of Carver, which today describes itself as the largest independently owned black financial institution
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September 11- James Charles Evers
Older brother of murdered Civil Rights Activist, Medgar Evers, and the first Black mayor of a racially mixed Mississippi (Fayette) city.
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September 12 - Jesse Owens
Born in Lawrence County, Alabama, he achieved international fame by winning fourgold medals during the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
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September 13 - Alain Locke
Writer, philospher and the first African American Rhodes Scholar, Alain Locke born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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September 14 - Freeman Mbowe
Tanzanian politician and businessman. He is Chairman of CHADEMA – Party for Democracy and Development.
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September 15 - Edward A. Bouchet
First Black American to graduate from Yale and also the first to earn a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from an American university. He gained his doctorate in physics in just two years.
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September 16 - B.B. King
Blues singer Ripley "B.B." King born in Itta Benna, Mississipi. He is widely considered one of the best and most respected blues musicians of all time. He is perhaps most well known for his cover of the Roy Hawkins' tune "The Thrill Is Gone" and for his trademark song "Lucille." He is the winner of 14 Grammy Awards.
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Septrember 17 - Doug E. fresh
Legendary rap artist, born Douglas E. Davis in Barbados. He is most well known for the hits "The Show" and "La Di Dad Di."
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September 18 - Holly Robinson Peete
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is most well known for her television roles on the crime series 21 Jump Street from 1987 to 1991, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper from 1992-1997
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September 19 - Brook Benton
Legendary soul singer. Born Benjamin Franklin Peay in Lugoff, South Carolina. He has over 50 billboard chart hits as an artist including "A Rainy Night in Georgia" ,"It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly".
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September 20 - Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton
Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is considered by some to be the first true composer of jazz music.
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September 21 - Kwame Nkrumah
The first Prime Minister and the first President of Ghana born in Nkroful, Gold Coast. He is considered one of the most influential Pan-Africanists of the 20th century.
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September 22 - Shari Belafonte
Actress, model and activist. Born in New York City to father Harry Belafonte and mother Marguerite Byrd. She is known for her role "Julie Gilette" in the ABC television series Hotel (1983–1988).
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September 23 - Mary Church Terrell
Born in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1896 Terrell became the first president of the newly formed National Association of Colored Women.
In 1904 Terrell was invited to speak at the International Congress of Women, held in Berlin, Germany. She was the only black woman at the conference. The Tennessee native received an enthusiastic ovation when she honored the host nation by delivering her address in German. She then proceeded to deliver the speech in French, and concluded with the English version |
September 24 - Frances Harper
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is born in Baltimore, Maryland. Harper is credited for introducing the tradition of African American protest poetry. She used her prestige and writings to fight racism and also make strong feminist statements.
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September 25 - Will Smith
Born in West Philadelphia. He has had a successful career in television, film and music. A rare feat called "Triple Threat" in the industry. He first achieved success as a rapper winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988) for his song "Parents Just Don't Understand". Smith's most notable television role was that of William "Will" Smith in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". His film work includes blockbuster films "Men in Black", "Ali", "Independence Day", "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "I am Legend". He is the only black actor and one of three actors in the history of film to have seven consecutive US$100 million blockbusters.
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September 26 - Serena Williams
Born in Saginaw, Michigan. She is the former World No. 1 ranked female tennis player who has won eight Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal in women's doubles.
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September 27 - Greg Morris
Actor, best known for his role as the electronics expert Barney Collier in the "Mission Impossible" TV series is born Cleveland, Ohio.
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September 28 - Ben E. king
King is most well known as the singer, composer of "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem." He was also the lead singer on many of the legendary Drifters' biggest hits.
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September 29 - Bryant Gumbel
Award-winnnng Television personality and broadcast journalist. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's " The Today Show." and his career as a sportscaster.
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September 30 - Johnny Mathis
Grammy Award winning singer Johnny Mathis born in Gilmer, Texas. He is most well known for his hits "Misty" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late".
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OCTOBER
October 1 - Donny Hathaway
Born in Chicago. He is best known for his hits "Where Is The Love?" and "The Closer I Get To You" both recorded with Roberta Flack. He died from an apparent suicide in 1979. He is reportedly the inspiration for Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly"
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October 2 - Johnny Cochran
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is most well known for his successful defense of O.J. Simpson during the "Trial of the Century". He will most likely be remembered for the phrase "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit." In addition to Simpson, Cochran has helped several other high profile clients to get out of their legal troubles including; Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.
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October 3 - Al Sharpton
Talk show host, activist,. born in Brooklyn, New York. In 2004, Sharpton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U. S. presidential election. He often rallies publicly and in the media on behalf of the rights of African Americans and other minorities.
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October 4 - H. "Rap" Brown/Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin
Black Panther, social activist, H. Rap Brown, at birth, was given the name, Hubert Gerold Brown, and now known by his Muslim name, Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin) He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is most well known for his proclamation that "violence is as American as cherry pie", as well as once stating that "If America don't come around, we're gonna' burn it down".
He is currently incaceratted for charges stemming from a 2000 shootout. |
October 5 - Bernie Mac
Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough in Chicago, Illinois. He has also acted in several films including "Ocean's Thirteen", "Guess Who", "Ocean's Eleven", "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Friday". He was nominated for several Emmy Awards for his televsion series titled "The Bernie Mac Show."
On August 9th, 2008 Mac died from complications of pneeumonia. He was working on the movie Soul Men with Issac Hayes who coincidentally died the following day. |
October 6 - Fannie Lou Hamer
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October 7 - Elijah Muhammad
Born Elijah Poole in Sandersville, Georgia. He is noted for his leading Black Muslims and the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975.
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October 8 - Jesse Jackson
Born Jesse Louis Burns in Greenville, South Carolina. An influential activist, particularly in the areas of minority rights, Jackson was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
He is the founder of both entities that merged to form Rainbow/PUSH. Jackson was with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee when King was assassinated. |
October 9 - Nona Hendryx
Born in Trenton, New Jersey. Hendryx is known for her work as a solo artist as well as for being one-third of the trio Labelle, who had a hit with "Lady Marmalade."
Her biggest commercial success as a solo artist was the 1987 single "Why Should I Cry?" |
October 10 - Frederick D. Patterson
Founder of the United Negro College Fund, born in Washington D.C.
In 1987. President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Patterson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. |
October 11 - MC Lyte
Born Lana Michele Moorer in Brooklyn, New York. Her 1993 single "Ruffneck" from the ablum "Ain't No Other" was the first gold single ever for a female rap artist.
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October 12 - Dick Gregory
Comedian, activist Dick Gregory born Richard "Dick" Claxton Gregory in St. Louis, Missouri. He used his performance skills to convey to both White and Black audiences his political message on civil rights. In recent years, he has been a figure in the health food industry, becoming better known as a nutrition guru during the 1980s, advocating for a raw fruit and vegetable diet. Gregory first became a vegetarian in the 1960s.
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October 13 - Arna Bontempts
Well-known American poet and a noted member of the Harlem Renaissance.He died June 4, 1973 from a heart attack, while working on his autobiography.
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October 14 - Usher
Recording artist and actor. He rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album, "My Way."
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October 15 - Eric Benet
Singer, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is most well known for his hit single "Spend My Life With You (featuring Tamia)" and for being the ex husband of Halle Berry.
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October 16 - Henry Lewis
Broke racial barriers in the music world as the first Black conductor and music director of a major American orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony,
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October 17 - Mae Jemison
Born in Decatur, Alabama. She became the first African American woman to travel in space when she went into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992
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October 18 - Chuck Berry
Rock and Roll singer, guitarist Charles "Chuck" Edward Berry born in San Jose, California. Berry regarded as one of the founders of Rock and Roll and is the singer/songwriter for such hits as "Johnny B. Good" and "Roll Over Beethoven."
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October 19 - Jennifer Holiday
Grammy Award winning singer, born in Riverside, Texas. She is best known for her debut single, the "Dreamgirls" showstopper and Grammy Award-winning R&B/Pop hit, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."
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October 20 - Enolia Pettigen McMillan
Enolia Pettigen McMillan, the first female president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) born in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
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October 21 - Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie born in Cheraw, South Carolina. Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. In addition to featuring in these epochal moments in bebop, he was instrumental in founding Afro-Cuban jazz. Among Gillespie's most well known compositions are "A Night in Tunisia", "Groovin' High" and "Salt Peanuts".
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October 22 - Bobby Seale
Black Panther Co-founder, born in Dallas, Texas.
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October 23 - Pele
The world greatest soccer player Pelé Born, Edison Arantes do Nascimento, in Três Corações, Brazil. He was named the FIFA Player of the Century. He is the all-time top scorer in the history of the Brazil national team and is the only footballer to be a part of three World Cup-winning teams.
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October 24 - Kweisi Mfume
Former president of the NAACP. Born Frizzell Gray, in Baltimore, Maryland. Mfume became the president of the NAACP in 1996.
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October 25 - Speech
Rapper & leader of the group, Arrested Development, born Todd Thomas in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The group is most well known the hit, "Everyday People".
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October 26 - Mahalia Jackson
Legendary and Grammy Award winning gospel singer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is most well known for her renditions of "Amazing Grace", "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Nobody Knows".
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October 27 - Ruby Dee
Born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio. She appeared in several memorable films including "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Edge of the City," both played opposite Sidney Poitier. More recent films include "Do the Right Thing" and "American Gangster".
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October 28 - Terrell Davis
Superbowl MVP and two time Super Bowl Champion, born in San Diego, California. Davis played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 1995 to 2001.
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October 29 - Melba Moore
Actress/Singer, born in New York City, New York. Moore started her career in 1967 with a role in the musical Hair. In 1970, Moore won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Purlie.
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October 30 - Otis Williams
Founding Member of the legendary Temptations. Born, Otis Miles, in Texarkana, Texas. He continues to perform as the sole surviving original member. Among the group's many hits are: "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "I Wish It Would Rain."
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October 31 - Ethel Waters
Singer/Actress, born in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1933, Waters made a satirical all-black film entitled "Rufus Jones for President." She went on to star at the Cotton Club, where, according to her autobiography, she "sang "Stormy Weather."
NOVEMBER
November 1 - Ronald Bell
Singer, composer and saxophonist who was a founding member of the legendary band, Kool & the Gang.
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November 2 - Maxine Nightingale
British R&B/Soul singer. Best known for her 1970s hit, "Right back Where We Started From."
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November 3 - Michael Evans
Actor, best known for playing Lionel Jefferson on the 1970s sitcoms, “All in the Family” and "The Jeffersons." He also created the popular 1970s sitcom, "Good Times."
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November 4 - Berlinda Tolbert
Actress, born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tolbert is most well known for her potrayal of Jenny Willis, Lionel Jefferson's girlfriend, on the long running comedy, "The Jeffersons."
She can also be seen in films such as "Patriot Games", "Goodfellas" and "Harlem Nights". She has also acted in several other television series including "Fantasy Island", "Sanford and Son", "Home Improvement", "Six Feet Under" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". |
November 5 - Ike Turner
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November 6 - William Wells Brown
Brown was a pioneer in several different literary genres, including travel writing, fiction, and drama. He wrote "Clotel or The President's Daughter," what is considered to be the first novel by a Black American, published in America.
November 8 - Alfre Woodard
Actress, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Woodard has acted in several television series and films. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1983 film Cross Creek. She also appeared in "Star Trek: First Contact." Woodard has appeared on several television series including "Hill Street Blues," "St. Elsewhere," "L.A. Law" and "Homicide: Life On The Street"
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November 9 - Dorothy Dandridge
Actress, born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her portrayal of Carmen in "Carmen Jones," won her a Oscar nomination making her the Black American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
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November 10 - Sinbad
Actor, comedian, born David Adkins in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He is well known for his appearing on "Star Search", "A Different World" and the films "First Kid" and "Jingle All the Way".
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November 11 - Lavern Baker
R&B Legend, born in Chicago, IL. She is best known for hits like Tweedlee Dee, " "I Cried a Tear" and "Jim Dandy."
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November 12 - Tevin Campbell
R&B singer/songwriter. He scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid 1990s. Hits include "Can We Talk," "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do" and "I'm Ready."
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November 13 - Whoopi Goldberg
Academy Award winning actress, comedian Whoopi Goldberg born Caryn Johnson in New York City.
She is one of only ten individuals who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. Among the many films she is credited for are: "The Color Purple", "Ghost", "Sister Act", "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "Fatal Beauty." and "For Colored Girls." She is also known for her "Comic Releif" appearances and as a current host on the morning show "The View". |
November 14 - Condoleezza Rice
Born in Birmingham, Alabama. Rice is the first Black woman, second African American (after Colin Powell, who served before her from 2001 to 2005), and second woman (after Madeleine Albright who served from 1997 to 2001) to serve as Secretary of State.
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November 15 - Yaphet Kotto
Born in New York City. Kotto is best known his role as the James Bond villain "Mr. Big" in "Live and Let Die". He is also known for his portryal of Lieutenant Al Giardello in the drama television series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and appearances in "Roots", "Alien" and "The Running Man".
His father was the Crown Prince of the African nation of Cameroon. |
November 16 - William C. Handy
Musician, composer William Christopher Handy, born in Florence, Alabama. He is often cited as the "Father of the Blues".
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November 17 - William H. Hastie
First Black American Governor of the United States Virgin Islands in 1946 and served until to 1949. He later became the First Black American judge on a U.S. Federal appeals court and became Chief Judge of that court in 1968.
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November 18 - Don Cherry
Jazz musician, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He became well known in jazz in 1958 when he performed with Ornette Coleman. He died in Málaga, Spain in 1995 at the age of 58.
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November 19 - Ahmad Rashad
Television sportscaster born in Portland, Oregon. He is a former professional football player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1972-1973), the Buffalo Bills (1974) and the Minnesota Vikings (1976-1982).
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November 20 - Dominique Dawes
Three-time Olympic gymnast, born in Siver Spring, Maryland. Dawes is an Olympic gold medalist and has also won two bronze medals. She will also held more national titles than any other gymnast-male or female.
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November 21 - Ken Griffey, Jr.
Former Baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. born in Donora, Pennsylvania. He has played with the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds .
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November 22 - Guy Bluford
Guion "Guy" Bluford, Junior born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. he is a retired Colonel, from the United States Air Force and a former NASA Astronaut.He is the First Black American Male To Go Into Space.
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November 23 - Tom Joyner
Radio personality born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He is the host of "The Tom Joyner Morning Show."
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November 24 - Scott Joplin
Composer/ Pianist, born in Texarkana, Texas. Joplin is considered "the King of Ragtime".
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November 25 - Stacy Lattisaw
Singer, born in Washington, DC.. She is probably most well known for the cover hit "Love on a Two Way Street".
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November 26 - Tina Turner
Singer, born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee. Turner has been acknowledged as one of the world's most popular and biggest-selling music artists of all time and is the most successful female rock artist of all time with record sales in excess of 180 million. She is proabably most well known for her solo hit, "What's Love Gotta do With It?"
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November 27 - Jimi Hendrix
Legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix born in Seattle, Washington. Hendrix is considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in rock music history. He is most often remembered for his psychedelic rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Woodstock Festival and for lighting his guitar on fire at the Monterey Festival. His signature song is widely considered to be "Purple Haze."
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November 28 - Berry Gordy
The founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy, Jr. born in Detroit, Michigan. Among his first artists were Jackie Wilson and Smoky Robinson. During his career he signed such artists as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and The Pips, The Commodores, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5.
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November 29 - Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Politician and civil rights activist Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., born in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1944 Powell was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives, representing the 22nd congressional district, which included Harlem. He was the first Black Congressman from New York, and the first from any Northern state other than Illinois.
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November 30 - Gordon Parks
Filmaker/Photo Journalist, Gordon Parks, born in Fort Scott, Kansas. He is best remembered as the director of the films, "The Learning Tree" and the 1971 movie, "Shaft".
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DECEMBER
December 1 - Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Pryor III born in Peoria, Illinois. He is most well known for his cutting edge stand up comedy and for acting in films such as "Silver Streak". He won five Grammy Awards and an Emmy during his career. In 2004, Pryor was voted the greatest stand-up act of all time by Comedy Central. He died in 2005 at the age of 65.
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December 2 - Charles H. Wesley
Historian, Charles Wesley born in Louisville, Kentucky. Wesley served as president of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History from 1950 - 1965. He wrote several articles and books about African American history including "Negro Labor in the United States, 1850-1925 (1927)," "Collapse of the Confederacy (1937)" and "The History of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs: A Legacy of Service (1984)."
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December 3 - Ralph Gardner
Scientist Ralph Gardner born in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a pioneer chemist whose research into plastics led to the development of so-called hard plastics.
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December 4 - Tyra Banks
Born in Los Angeles, California. She is best known as hostess/judge of the reality television show, "America's Next Top Model," since its 2003 debut. She also hosts her own talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show."
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December 5 - Little Richard
Rock and Roll legend Little Richard born as Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia. He is best known for his outrageous performances and for writing and performing some of Rock and Roll's earliest hits such as "Tutti Frutti", "Good Golly, Miss Molly", "Keep A Knockin'" and "Long Tall Sally".
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December 6 - Jesse B. Blayton
Jesse B. Blayton, Sr. was born December 6, 1897 in Fallis, Oklahoma. Blayton made radio history in 1940 by purchasing WERD in Atlanta and became the First Black American to own and operate a radio station in America.
He was also Georgia’s First Black Certified Public Accountant six years later. |
December 7 - Reginald Lewis
Born in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1968.
He was a partner in Murphy, Thorpe & Lewis, the first Black law firm on Wall Street. In 1987 Lewis bought Beatrice International Foods from Beatrice Companies for $985 million, renaming it TLC Beatrice International, a snack food, beverage, and grocery store conglomerate that was the largest black-owned and black-managed business in the U.S. When TLC Beatrice reported revenue of $1.8 billion in 1987, it became the first black-owned company to have more than $1 billion in annual sales. |
December 8 - Sammy Davis, Jr.
Entertainer, Sammy Davis Jr., born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. He was a dancer, singer, multi-instrumentalist (playing vibraphone, trumpet, and drums), impressionist, comedian, and actor. He is remembered for his many film appearances and for the hit song which became his signature tune "Candy Man" He was also a member of Hollywood's infamous "Rat Pack," which was led by Frank Sinatra..
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December 9 - Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri. Foxx was an American comedian best known for his starring role on the television sitcom, "Sanford and Son."
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December 10 -Michael Clarke Duncan
Actor, born in Chicago, Illinois. He is most well remembered for his breakout role as John Coffey in the "The Green Mile," a role which netted him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. He can be seen in anumber of films including "The Whole Nine Yards", "The Scorpion King," "Sin City" and "The Island."
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December 11- Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton
Singer Willlie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton born in Montgomery, Alabama. She was the original singer to record the hit song "Hound Dog" in 1952. She later she wrote and recorded "Ball n' Chain".
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December 12 - Dionne Warwick
Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer Dionne Warwick born in East Orange, New Jersey. She is most well known for her hits "Don't Make Me Over", "Walk on By," "(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls," "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," "I'll Never Love This Way Again" and her signature tune "Heartbreaker."
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December 13 - Jamie Foxx
Academy Award winning actor, born in Dallas, Texas. Foxx is possibly best known for his portrayal of musician Ray Charles in "Ray," for which he became one of the few Black Americans to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He is also well known for his contributions to "In Living Color " and for playing the lead in "The Jamie Foxx Show." He can also been seen in the films "Any Given Sunday," "Collateral," "Jarhead," "Miami Vice" and "Dreamgirls."
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December 14 - Stanley Crouch
Journalist, born in Los Angeles. He is a music critic, syndicated columnist, and novelist. Perhaps best known for his jazz criticism and his novel, "Don't the Moon Look Lonesome?"
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December 15 - William A. Hinton
William A.Hinton, the developer of the Hinton Test which detects syphilis born. He was also the first African American to publish an academic textbook born.
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December 16 - William Perry
Former NFL defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears William "The Refrigerator" Perry born in Aiken, South Carolina. He is a Super Bowl Champion (XX).
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December 17 - Eddie Kendricks
Singer Eddie Kendricks born in Union Springs, Alabama. He is best known as one of the original members of the Legendary Motown group, "The Temptations." His solo career began in 1971 and includes hits such as "Keep on Truckin" and "Boogie Down."
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December 18 Ossie Davis
Born Raiford Chatman Davis in Cogdell, Clinch County, Georgia. He is most well known for parts played late in his life in films such as "Do The Right Thing," "Jungle Fever," "She Hate Me" and "Get on the Bus." He passed away in 2005.
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December 19 - Carter G. Woodson
Historian, Scholar Journalist and Author, born in New Canton, Virginia. Known as the "Father of Black History," he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. His most popular book, published in 1933, is the "Mis-Education of the Negro." He is perhaps, best known for creating, what is known today, as Black History Month, in 1926.
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December 20 - Trent Tucker
Born in Tarboro, North Carolina, Tucker played nine seasons with the New York Knicks before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 1991 for one season and before joining the Chicago Bulls, who won the 1993 NBA Championship.
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December 21 - Josh Gibson
Negro League home run king, born in Buena Vista, Georgia. Known as the "Black Babe Ruth," He is even credited with hitting a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium, and his prodigious homers have taken their place in baseball lore.
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December 22 - Arthur W. Mitchell
The First Black American to be elected to congress as a Democrat. Born in Lafayette, Alabama.
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December 23 - Madame CJ Walker
Madam C.J. Walker born in Delta, Louisiana. Walker was an American businesswoman, hair care entrepreneur, tycoon and philanthropist Her fortune was made by developing and marketing a hugely successful line of beauty and hair products for black women, under the company she founded Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. The Guinness Book of Records cites Walker as the first female, black or white, who became a millionaire by her own achievements.
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December 24 - Octavia R. Albert
Writer Octavia R. Albert born in Oglethorpe, Georgia. Her book "The House of Bondage," consists of seven slave narratives collected by Albert, who was, herself a former slave.
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December 25 - Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway, bandleader and first jazz singer to sell a million records born in Rochester, New York. He is best known for his signature tune "Minnie the Moocher".
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December 26 - Lonnie Elder
Author/ Playwright, Lonnie Elder. Known the play, "Ceremonies In Dark Old Men" and for screenwriting "Sounder " and " A Woman Called Moses."
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December 27 - John Amos
Actor, John Amos, born in Newark, New Jersey. He is most well known for his portrayal of James Evans, Sr., on the television series "Good Times."
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December 28 - Denzel Washington
Actor/Director, Denzel Washington, born in Mount Vernon, NY. Washington is the star of films such as "Malcolm X," "Glory," "Hurricane", "Training Day", "Deja vu," "American Gangster," "Out of Time," "Man on Fire," and "The "Manchurian Candidate," He won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in "Glory" and the Academy Award in the category of Best Actor for "Training Day,"
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December 29 - Tom Bradley
First Black American Mayor of Los Angeles Thomas Bradley born in Calvert, Texas. Bradley served five terms as mayor between 1973 and 1993.
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December 30 - Bo Diddley
Singer/Guitarist, born in Magnolia ,Mississippi. Along with Fats Domino, Little Richard and Chuck Berry, he was one of the early pioneers of 1950s Rock 'n Roll and R&B music. His Trademark was his square-shaped guitar.
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December 31 - Odetta
Odetta, the "Queen of American Folk Music" (anointed by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1961) and "Mother Goddess of Folk/Blues" (by New York Times in 1999), is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century.
