Otis Alexander, Author at • Page 34 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.

Dionne Warwick (1940- )

Popular singer Dionne Warwick was born Marie Dionne Warrick on December 12, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey, to Mancel Warrick, a Pullman porter, chef, and promoter and distributor of recorded music, and Lee Warrick, who managed the gospel group, Drinkard Singers. Warwick was singing … Read MoreDionne Warwick (1940- )

Little Anthony and the Imperials (1958- )

Beginning as the Chesters in 1957, Little Anthony and the Imperials are a legendary Doo-Wop rhythm and blues/soul vocal ensemble founded in Brooklyn, New York by tenor Clarence Collins, Countertenor/Falsetto and principal singer Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Ernest Wright, bass Glouster “Nate” Rogers, and … Read MoreLittle Anthony and the Imperials (1958- )

Sonny Charles and the Checkmates (1969-2008)

Sonny Charles Hemphill, arranger, tenor, and director, was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, on September 4, 1940, to sharecroppers. However, at the age of 10, he, his six sisters, and parents moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. At 14 Hemphill, a tenor and harmonica player, sang in … Read MoreSonny Charles and the Checkmates (1969-2008)

Lauryn Noelle Hill (1975- )

Actor, vocalist, lyricist, arranger, producer, activist Lauryn Noelle Hill is one of the most influential hip-hop artists. She was born in East Orange, New Jersey, on May 26, 1975, to Mal Hill, a computer consultant, and Valerie Hill, an educator and pianist. She has one … Read MoreLauryn Noelle Hill (1975- )

Garnet Edward Mimms (1933 – )

Rhythm and Blues singer Garnet Edward Mimms was born on November 16, 1933, in Ashland, West Virginia, to Eugene Mimms and Fannie Mae Blackwell Mimms from Yanceyville, North Carolina. They had seven children and moved to Beckley, West Virginia. Mimms began his career as a … Read MoreGarnet Edward Mimms (1933 – )

Lenny Welch (1938 – )

Balladeer and Lyric Baritone Lenny Welch was born Leon Welch on May 15, 1938, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He was reared by godparents Eva and Robert Richardson and attended Asbury Park High School but left in the 10th grade in 1956. In 1957, when … Read MoreLenny Welch (1938 – )

Anthony Braxton (1945- )

Composer, librettist, saxophonist Anthony Braxton was born on June 4, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clarence Dunbar Braxton, Sr., from Greenville, Mississippi, and Julia Samuels Braxton from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Braxton had three brothers. Braxton grew up in Chicago and from 1959 to 1963, he attended … Read MoreAnthony Braxton (1945- )

Lenny Kravitz (1964 – )

Rock artist, lyricist, actor Leonard Albert Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in Manhattan, New York, to Roxie Albertha Roker, an actress from Miami, Florida, and Sy Kravitz, a filmmaker from Brooklyn. At three he began exhibiting music talents by creating syncopated rhythms beating … Read MoreLenny Kravitz (1964 – )

Darnella Frazier (2003- )

Darnella Frazier, an activist and motivational speaker, was born in 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee to parents LaTangie Gillespie and James Frazier. She has three brothers and one sister. Most of Darnella’s life, however, has been spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After being active in varsity basketball, … Read MoreDarnella Frazier (2003- )

Billy Stewart II (1937-1970)

Pianist, composer, lyricist, “word doubling” singer William Larry Stewart II, known by his stage name, Billy Stewart, was born on March 24, 1937, in Freemen’s Hospital on the campus of Howard University, Washington, D.C. His parents were William Larry Stewart, Sr. and Idabel Stewart and … Read MoreBilly Stewart II (1937-1970)