Otis Alexander, Author at • Page 14 of 40

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.

Rocky Fork Underground Railroad Community (1816- )

In 1816, Rocky Fork near Godfrey, Illinois, was established by four free African American families who purchased five adjacent parcels of land and built homes and a church that soon became a large-scale secret Underground Railroad station for escaped enslaved people fleeing to safety from … Read MoreRocky Fork Underground Railroad Community (1816- )

Jackée Harry (1956- )

Television actor, comedian, and television personality Jackée Harry was born Jacqueline Yvonne Harry, the daughter of Flossie Harry from Trinidad and Warren Harry, on August 14, 1956, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was the youngest of five children who were reared in Harlem, New York … Read MoreJackée Harry (1956- )

Clarence Williams III (1939-2021)

Clarence Williams III was born in Harlem, New York on August 21, 1939, to professional musician, Clarence “Clay” Williams Jr. His grandmother Irene Joy Gibbons was also known as Eva Taylor, a singer, and actress from St. Louis, Missouri. There is not much information available … Read MoreClarence Williams III (1939-2021)

Sam Gilliam (1933- )

World-renowned artist Sam Gilliam was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on November 30, 1933, to Sam Gilliam, Sr., a railroad worker, and Estery Gilliam, a homemaker. They had eight children, and Sam, Jr was the seventh. When the parents moved to Louisville, Kentucky, all of the … Read MoreSam Gilliam (1933- )

Wayne A.I. Frederick (1971- )

Surgical oncologist and university president Wayne A.I. Frederick was born Wayne Alix Ian Frederick June 17, 1971, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to Alix Frederick from Point Fortin, Trinidad, and Frances Tyson-Hill from Chaguanas, Trinidad. At 14, he began pre-college courses at St. … Read MoreWayne A.I. Frederick (1971- )

Ciara/Ciara Princess Wilson (1985- )

R&B singer, lyricist Ciara was born Ciara Princess Harris on October 25, 1985, in Austin, Texas, to Carlton Clay Harris of the US Army and Jackie Smith-Harris, a member of the US Air Force. Because of the demands of the military, however, the Harris family … Read MoreCiara/Ciara Princess Wilson (1985- )

Beauford Delaney (1901-1979)

World-renowned painter Beauford Delaney was born on December 30, 1901, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Samuel Delaney, a barber and a Methodist minister, and Delia Johnson Delaney, a seamstress born of slave parents. They had ten children. Two of the sons were painters, including Joseph Delaney. … Read MoreBeauford Delaney (1901-1979)

Richard Robert Wright Jr. (1878-1967)

American sociologist, social worker, and minister Richard Robert Wright Jr. was born on April 16, 1878, in Cuthbert, Georgia to Richard Robert Wright, Sr., who had been born into slavery but graduated from Atlanta University and founded the National Freedom Day Association. Wright’s mother, Lydia … Read MoreRichard Robert Wright Jr. (1878-1967)

Elgin “Rabbit” Baylor (1934-2021)

Ball handling wizard Elgin “Rabbit” Baylor was born Elgin Gay Baylor on September 16, 1934, in Washington, D.C. to John Wesley Baylor from Caroline County, Virginia, and Uzziel Lewis Baylor from Spotsylvania County, Virginia. His brothers were John L. Baylor and Kermit Baylor, and his … Read MoreElgin “Rabbit” Baylor (1934-2021)

J. Michelle Childs (1966- )

Julianna Michelle Childs, a U.S. District Court judge in South Carolina, was born on March 24, 1966, in Detroit, Michigan. Her father, Ralph Childs, was a former U.S. Junior Table Tennis Champion, and her mother, Shandra Childs-Thomas, was a personnel manager for Michigan Bell. In … Read MoreJ. Michelle Childs (1966- )