R&B Singer Doris Troy was born Doris Elaine Higginsen in Bronx, New York, on January 6, 1937. Both a singer and a songwriter, her biggest hit, “Just One Look,” was released in 1963 and peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Troy’s … Read MoreDoris Troy (1937-2004)
Paul Gladney was a dancer, comedian, writer, social critic, and actor best known by his stage name Paul Mooney. Gladney was born on August 4, 1941, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to teenage parents George Gladney and LaVoya Ealy. Along with his Cousin Rudy, mother, and grandparents, … Read MorePaul (Mooney) Gladney (1941-2021)
Fulfilling a dream he held onto for nearly a decade, on September 23, 2020, three-star Gen. Richard M. Clark, at a ceremony in Falcon Stadium, took command as top administrator of the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, in … Read MoreRichard Milo Clark (1964- )
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)
Rapper, singer, and songwriter known by his stage name, Wiz Khalifa, was born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987, in Minot, North Dakota, to Peachie Wimbush-Polk, and Laurence Thomaz. Both parents were in the Air Force and divorced when Thomaz was 3 years old. … Read MoreCameron “Wiz Khalifa” Jibril Thomaz (1987- )
Tireless adoption advocate and civil rights activist Mabel T. Grammer was born on December 23, 1913, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the granddaughter of slaves and one of the seven children of Pearl and Edward Treadwell. Her father, who worked as a bellhop, died when she … Read MoreMabel Treadwell Grammer (1913-2002)
Arabella Fields was a singer and actress known as “The Black Nightingale” and had a storied career performing in Europe. She was born on January 31, 1879, as Sarah Arabella Middleton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Early reports state she was performing at the young age of … Read MoreArabella Fields (1879-1933)
Theodore Kenneth “T.K.” Lawless, MD was an internationally-known dermatologist who helped pioneer techniques to treat syphilis and was one of the first doctors to treat cancer with radium. A millionaire, Dr. Lawless built his wealth over decades and was recognized for his significant contributions as … Read MoreTheodore Kenneth Lawless (1892-1971)
Pop singer, disco lyricist Carlton George “Carl,” Douglas was born on October 10, 1942, in Kingston, Jamaica. After the death of his grandmother, his family migrated to Tottenham in North London, England, when he was seven. There his youth was filled with playing soccer and … Read MoreCarl Douglas (1942 – )
1960s R&B singer Gene Chandler was born Eugene Drake Dixon on July 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. He had one brother, Richard Dixon, a member of the Dukays, R&B group. Before graduating from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1955, Chandler formed the doo-wop vocal … Read MoreGene Chandler (1937- )
