Academic Historian

Otis D. Alexander, Library Director at Saint John Vianney College Seminary & Graduate School in Miami, Florida, has also directed academic and public libraries in the District of Columbia, Indiana, Texas, and Virginia. In addition, he has been a library manager in the Virgin Islands of the United States as well as in the Republic of Liberia. His research has appeared in Public Library Quarterly, Scribner’s Encyclopedia of American Lives, and Virginia Libraries journal. Alexander received the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from the University of the District of Columbia and the Master of Library & Information Science degree from Ball State University. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from International University and studied additionally at Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership for Academic Librarians, Oberlin Conservatory of Music Voice Performance Pedagogy, and Atlanta University School of Library & Information Studies.

Philip Edward “Brave” Davis (1951- )

The Honorable Philip Edward “Brave” Davis, the fifth Prime Minister of The Bahamas and litigation lawyer, was born June 7, 1951, in Cat Island to Brave Edward Davis, a firefighter from Old Bight, Cat Island, and Dorothy Smith Davis, a housekeeper from Alexander, Great Exuma. … Read MorePhilip Edward “Brave” Davis (1951- )

Chandrikapersad Santokhi (1959- )

Politician Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi, whose grandparents were taken to Surinam from Bihar, India, to work as indentured laborers during the 19th century, was born on February 3, 1959, in Lelydorp, Surinam. He is a member of the Progressive Reform Party, which was once an ethnic … Read MoreChandrikapersad Santokhi (1959- )

Sandra Prunella Mason (1949- )

Her Excellency, The Most Honorable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, is the first president of the Republic of Barbados. Mason was born on January 17, 1949, in East Point, Saint Philip, Barbados. Her early education began at St. Catherine’s Primary School in 1955, and she left … Read MoreSandra Prunella Mason (1949- )

Andrew Michael Holness
(1972- )

The Most Honorable Andrew Michael Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, was born on July 22, 1972, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and named in honor of former Prime Minister of Jamaica Michael Manley to Morris Holness, a farmer and socialist, and Carol Harvey Williams, a civil … Read MoreAndrew Michael Holness
(1972- )

John Antonio Briceño (1960- )

John Antonio Briceño was born Juan Antonio Briceño on July 17, 1960, in Orange Walk Town, British Honduras (now Belize), to Elijio Eloy Briceño, a government minister. John had six brothers and three sisters. In 1978, he graduated from Muffles College in Belize City, and … Read MoreJohn Antonio Briceño (1960- )

Ariel Henry (1949- )

A neurosurgeon and politician, Ariel Henry was born in Tabarré, Port-au-Prince, Haïti, on November 6, 1949, to Elie Saturné Henry, a lawyer and university theology professor from Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, and Elvire Cantave Henry, a teacher from Port-au-Prince. Henry has five siblings, Monique Henry, … Read MoreAriel Henry (1949- )

Journal of Negro History (1916- )

On January 1, 1916, The Journal of Negro History (now The Journal of African American History), an award-winning peer viewed journal and the official periodical published by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, was founded as a quarterly research journal … Read MoreJournal of Negro History (1916- )

Lyman Beecher Brooks (1910-1984)

Educational administrator Lyman Beecher Brooks, the first president of Norfolk State University, was born on May 27, 1910, in Blakes, Virginia, to a farmer and pianist, John Robert Brooks, and Mary Anna Burrell Brooks, a schoolteacher, and graduate of Virginia Union University. He began reading … Read MoreLyman Beecher Brooks (1910-1984)

Esther Jones (1918-1984)

Vaudeville performer Esther Jones was known on stage by many names, including “Baby Esther,” “Little Esther,” “Farina’s Kid Sister,” and “Miniature Florence Mills,” is widely, although not universally, credited with being the inspiration for the Betty Boop cartoon character. Jones was born Esther Lee Jones … Read MoreEsther Jones (1918-1984)