Literary – Writers
John Baldwin West (1905-1960)
Dr. John Baldwin West was one of a handful of African American pulp detective fiction writers. In the 1950s his...
Calvin Coolidge Hernton (1932-2001)
Calvin Coolidge Hernton, poet, author, teacher, mentor, and literary critic was born April 28, 1932, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Virgil...
Michael Bruce Curry (1953- )
Michael Bruce Curry is the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. Curry was born in Chicago, Illinois...
Simeon S. Booker (1918-2017)
Simeon Saunders Booker Jr.’s innovative career in journalism transformed how African American readers engaged with news coverage of politics and...
Les Payne (1941-2018)
Leslie “Les” Payne, raised in the Jim Crow South, was dedicated to utilizing the realm of journalism to improve living...
Evan B. Forde (1952- )
An internationally-recognized oceanographer, Evan B. Forde became the first African American scientist to complete research dives in a submersible when he journeyed...
Alicia Keys/Alicia Augello Cook (1981- )
Alicia Keys is a rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist known for her unique blend of classical, R&B, jazz, neo-soul, and hip-hop. She writes...
Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier (1932- )
Though Roosevelt Grier is most known for his All-Pro football career with the New York Giants and Los Angeles (California) Rams, he has become...
Ntozake Shange (Paulette Williams) (1948-2018 )
The author, poet, and playwright Ntozake Shange was born Paulette Williams on October 18, 1948 in Trenton, New Jersey. Until she was eight,...
