Tavis Alan Malcolm, Author at

Student Historian

Tavis Alan Malcolm is an undergrad at the University of Washington. He is majoring in history with a focus on American and African-American history. Tavis is planning to take some time off to travel before attending graduate school.

Florence Griffith Joyner (1959-1998)

Born Florence Delorez Griffith on December 21, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Florence Griffith Joyner was the seventh of 11 children. Joyner and her siblings were raised primarily by their mother in the impoverished Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. She began competitive sprinting at the … Read MoreFlorence Griffith Joyner (1959-1998)

Marion Motley (1920-1999)

Marion Motley was born June 5, 1920, in Leesburg, Georgia. Motley played football at Canton McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, and went on to South Carolina State University and then to the University of Nevada, where he played football while participating in other collegiate … Read MoreMarion Motley (1920-1999)

Willie Mays (1931-2024)

Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama to Ann and William Howard Mays. Both of his parents had been athletes. Ann Mays was a high school track star while William Howard Mays had played semi-professional baseball in Birmingham’s Industrial League … Read MoreWillie Mays (1931-2024)

Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron (1934-2021)

Legendary baseball player Henry Louis Aaron was born February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama, the third of eight children to Herbert Aaron, a shipyard worker at Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company, and his wife, Estella. Aaron decided he wanted to be a major league baseball … Read MoreHenry Louis “Hank” Aaron (1934-2021)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947- )

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on August 16, 1947, in New York City, New York. He was known as Lew Alcindor until his 1973 name change. Alcindor dominated the New York City high school basketball scene. Decidedly larger than his peers from … Read MoreKareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947- )

Oscar Charleston (1896-1954)

Oscar Charleston was born October 14, 1896, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Growing up as a batboy for the local Indianapolis ABC’s, Charleston was a runaway who joined the Army at age 15. Stationed in the Philippines, Charleston was given the opportunity to play baseball and run … Read MoreOscar Charleston (1896-1954)

O. J. Simpson (1947-2024)

Athlete and actor Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson was born July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California. A troubled youth, poor grades, and violent behavior kept Simpson from earning any college scholarship offers while attending high school. Simpson was highly recruited, however, after breaking several junior … Read MoreO. J. Simpson (1947-2024)

Earvin “Magic” Johnson (1959 – )

Earvin Johnson, Jr. was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. Johnson was given the nickname “Magic” by a Lansing newspaper reporter who watched the 15 year-old score 36 points, grab 16 rebounds and give 16 assists in a game at Lansing Everett High … Read MoreEarvin “Magic” Johnson (1959 – )

John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (1884-1965)

John Henry “Pop” Lloyd was born April 25, 1884, in Palatka, Florida. Reportedly discovered by baseball legend Rube Foster, Lloyd would begin his professional career with the Cuban X-Giants, where fans would give him the nickname “El Cuchara” (“The Shovel”) due to his steady hands … Read MoreJohn Henry “Pop” Lloyd (1884-1965)

John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil (1911-2006)

John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil was born November 13, 1911, in Carrabelle, Florida. Working with his father on a Florida celery farm when he was 13, the young O’Neil said to himself, “Damn. There’s got to be something better than this.” After traveling to West Palm … Read MoreJohn Jordan “Buck” O’Neil (1911-2006)