Otis Alexander, Author at • Page 30 of 39

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.

The Del-Vikings (1955-1973)

The Del-Vikings were the first successful racially integrated Doo-Wop rock and roll ensemble formed in the United States and specifically in the United States Air Force during the Jim Crow era. The group, organized in 1955 at the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Air Force Base, comprised six … Read MoreThe Del-Vikings (1955-1973)

Whoopi Goldberg (1955- )

Legendary actor, activist, comic Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in Manhattan, New York on November 13, 1955, to Robert James Johnson, Jr., a minister, and Emma Harris Johnson, an educator and a nurse. Her interest in drama and the spoken word began at … Read MoreWhoopi Goldberg (1955- )

Millie Jackson (1944- )

Mildred “Millie” Virginia Jackson, R&B singer, playwright, model, lyricist who is often called the “Mother of Hip Hop,” was born on July 15, 1944, in Thomson, Georgia. Her parents’ names are not publicly known. Her mother died in a fire when she was two years … Read MoreMillie Jackson (1944- )

The Crusaders (1954-2010)

The musical moment in jazz fusion in the United States was 1954 when pianist Joseph Leslie Sample, born on February 1, 1939, began with tenor saxophonist Wilton Lewis Felder, born on August 31, 1940, and percussionist Nesbert “Stix” Hooper, born August 15, 1938, came together … Read MoreThe Crusaders (1954-2010)

Cheryl Lynn (1957- )

The American disco, R&B, soul vocalist Cheryl Lynn was born Lynda Cheryl Smith on March 11, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, to Opal Smith, a pianist and minister of music at the city’s Church of the Living God. Growing up, Cheryl was a member of … Read MoreCheryl Lynn (1957- )

Nestor Torres (1957- )

Virtuoso technician Classical, jazz, composer Nestor Miguel Torres was born on April 25, 1957, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to Nestor Torres Sr., pianist and vibraphone, and Ana E. Salcedo Baldovino-Torres. His first percussion and piano teacher was his father. However, Torres, skipping two grades, began … Read MoreNestor Torres (1957- )

Jill Scott (1972- )

Often called the Queen of Neo-Soul, R&B lyricist, vocalist, poet, actor, and social activist Jill Heather Scott was born on April 4, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the single mother, Joyce Scott. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1990. Afterward, Scott … Read MoreJill Scott (1972- )

Luther Ingram (1937-2007)

Composer, Lyricist, balladeer, R&B baritone Luther Thomas Ingram was born on November 30, 1937, in Jackson, Tennessee, to Richard Lee and Callie Ingram, both musicians at Walnut Grove Baptist Church located in Jackson. Luther’s early education began at the West Bemis Rosenwald School in 1943. … Read MoreLuther Ingram (1937-2007)

Jermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954 – )

Bass guitarist, vocalist Jermaine LaJuane Jackson was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph Walter Jackson, a steelworker and manager of the family’s band from Fountain Hill, Arkansas, and Kattie B. Screws Jackson, a homemaker from Clayton, Alabama. He is the fourth … Read MoreJermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954 – )

The Emotions (1962-2020)

The Emotions were an American Grammy Award-winning soul/R&B vocal ensemble from Chicago, Illinois who began as a gospel group called the Hutchinson Sunbeams in 1962. The group transitioned into R&B music in 1963. The Emotions were four sisters: Wanda Hutchinson-Vaughn, born December 17, 1951; Jeanette … Read MoreThe Emotions (1962-2020)