The following are short descriptions of the women and men who have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These encyclopedia entries serve as a starting point for much more inclusive descriptions and discussions that appear in other sources. For additional information please consult the print or website sources cited in the entry.
Composer, guitarist, pianist, storyteller Bukka White was born Booker T. Washington White on November 12, 1906, in Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi, to Herman and Sarah Farr White. He got his initial start in music, learning the violin with Cajun and blues tunes, and the guitar … Read MoreBukka White (1906-1977)
Nettie J. Craig Asberry was a suffragist, clubwoman, and music educator who helped found the Tacoma Chapter of the NAACP and the Washington State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. Born on July 15, 1865 in Leavenworth, Kansas, Asberry was the youngest of six children born … Read MoreNettie J. Craig Asberry (1865-1968)
Anna R. Woodbey, an early suffragist and minister, was the first known African American woman to be nominated on a state ticket by a political party. Born in Pennsylvania in February of 1855, little is known of Woodbey’s parents other than her mother was born … Read MoreAnna R. Woodbey (1855-1901)
Mabel Byrd, a life-long educator, researcher, and civil rights activist, was the first African American to attend the University of Oregon. Born in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1895, Byrd was the youngest daughter of Robert Byrd, a bricklayer, and Jennie Byrd. She moved with … Read MoreMabel Janet Byrd (1895-1988)
Clifford Smith Jr is a rapper, producer, songwriter, and actor best known under the stage name Method Man. Smith was born on March 2, 1971, in Hempstead, New York to Clifford and Genola Smith. The couple share three children: Terri, Clifford Jr. and Althea. Smith’s … Read MoreMethod Man/ Clifford Smith Jr. (1971- )
Concert Pianist, composer, conductor, pedagogic Nelson Hall was born on February 11, 1954, in Marianao, Cuba, to Selvin Hall, a choral conductor from Manzanillo, Cuba, and Elsa Fortun Hall from Placetas, Cuba. He has two siblings, Merari and David. Hall, an intelligent artistically child, began … Read MoreNelson Hall (1954 – )
Earlene Dennis Brown, a three-time Olympian, is the first African American woman to win a medal in the shot put. Throughout her life Brown excelled in a variety of sports, gaining her attention, recognition, and honors, including being one of the only two United States … Read MoreEarlene Dennis Brown (1935-1983)
This entry is for juvenile audiences. To see the full version of this entry, click here Who are they: U.S. Senator Raphael G. Warnock was born July 23, 1969, in Savannah, Georgia. He had 11 brothers and sisters, and they lived in a housing project … Read MoreRaphael G. Warnock (1969- )
Orchestra conductor Thomas Alphonso Wilkins was born on September 10, 1956, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Wallace Y. Wilkins Sr. In 1962 he began school at the city’s segregated Young Park Elementary School. When he was in the third grade, he was introduced to … Read MoreThomas Alphonso Wilkins (1956 – )
Major Lance was a popular R&B and soul singer and a prominent figure of Chicago’s soul scene in the 1960’s. Born in Winterville, Mississippi, on April 4th, 1939, Lance moved to Chicago, Illinois as a child. Before turning to music, the multitalented Lance showed interests … Read MoreMajor Lance (1939- 1994)
