Charley Pride, born on March 18, 1938, on a cotton farm in Sledge, Mississippi, eventually became one of the most successful black entertainers in country music. Although he loved music and taught himself to play the guitar as a teenager, Pride’s first dream was to … Read More … Read MoreCharley Pride (1938-2020)
Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth was born on March 18, 1922 in Mount Meigs, Alabama to Vetta Green and Alberta Robinson. However, his mother and stepfather, William Nathan Shuttlesworth, a farmer in Oxmore, Alabama raised Fred Shuttlesworth. Shuttlesworth attended Oxmore Elementary School. He graduated from Rosedale High … Read More … Read MoreFred Shuttlesworth (1922-2011)
Thyra J. Edwards, born in 1897, the granddaughter of runaway slaves, grew up in Houston, Texas and started her career there as a school teacher. Eventually she moved to Gary, Indiana and later Chicago, Illinois where she was employed as a social worker. Edwards would eventually become … Read More … Read MoreThyra J. Edwards (1897-1953)
Legendary saxophonist, composer Clarence Clemons, a towering 6-foot-6, was born Clarence Anicholas Clemons Jr. on January 11, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, in the segregated Norfolk Community Hospital, to Clarence Anicholas “Nick” Clemons Jr., Sr., owner of The Clemons’ Seafood Market” on Liberty Street in the … Read More … Read MoreClarence Clemons Jr. (1942-2011)
Benjamin Banneker, a free Black farmer, mathematician, and astronomer, was born on November 9, 1731, the son of freed slaves Robert and Mary Banneky, probably near the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore, Maryland, where his father owned a small farm. For some years, Banneker seems … Read More … Read MoreBenjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
Jeffrey Townes is an actor, comedian, and record producer who is more commonly known as “DJ Jazzy Jeff.” Townes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 1965. He began working in music at the age of 10 and attended local schools, graduating from John … Read More … Read MoreJeffrey Allen (DJ Jazzy Jeff) Townes (1965- )
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer and actress. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 26, 1944 to Fred and Ernestine Ross, who lived in the low-income Brewster Housing Project. Growing up, Diana, who was referred to as “Diane,” studied design and … Read More … Read MoreDiana Ross (1944- )
Donald McKinley “Childlish Gambino” Glover, Jr. is an actor and rapper. Glover was born on September 25, 1983, to Donald Glover Sr. and Beverly Glover in Edwards, California. He also has a brother, Stephen Glover and a sister, Brianne Glover. Growing up, Glover attended Avondale … Read More … Read MoreChildlish Gambino/ Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (1983- )
American singer, songwriter, and producer, Charles Kent Wilson, best known as Charlie Wilson, was born on January 29, 1953 to Reverend Oscar and Lucy Wilson in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His father was a Church of God in Christ minister. His mother was a pianist and minister … Read More … Read MoreCharlie Wilson (1953- )
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public, four-year coeducational historically black liberal arts university located in Durham, North Carolina. The small urban campus is located 23 miles from Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Central University was founded in 1910 by Dr. James E. Shepard. … Read More … Read MoreNorth Carolina Central University (1910- )
