Jonathan (“Jon”) Michael Batiste is an American bandleader, composer, arranger, actor, “harmonabord” player, and television personality. He was born on November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, and grew up in the neighboring New Orleans suburbs. By age 8, he was playing percussion and drums with … Read MoreJon Batiste (1986- )
Alexis Nikole Nelson is a queer actor, writer, producer, social media marketing manager, and forager. Born on March 27, 1992, in Columbus, Ohio, Nelson sang in the children’s choir at her father’s Baptist church at just three years old. At five years old, she began … Read MoreAlexis Nikole Nelson (1992- )
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- )
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- )
Born on September 16, 1860, William D. “Bill” Foster was a late 19th/ early 20th century showman who was among the first to prove the commercial viability of making Black-cast films and marketing them to Black audiences. He was the first African American to establish … Read MoreWilliam D. Foster (1860-1940)
The legendary composers, lyricists, vocalists, and actors Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson dominated the R&B industry for more than four decades. Their most tremendous success came with their unmatched music compositions for Motown Records. Ashford was born on May 4, 1941, in Fairfield, South Carolina, … Read MoreAshford and Simpson (1964-2011)
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)
Chancelor Johnathan “Chance The Rapper” Bennett is a rapper, singer, and activist. Bennett was born on April 16, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois to Lisa Bennett and Ken Williams Bennett. He grew up in a middle-class neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Bennett’s father worked … Read MoreChance The Rapper/ Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (1993- )
Legendary rapper, composer, actor, and activist Kurtis Blow was born on August 9, 1959, in Harlem, New York, as Kurt Walker. His mother was a dancer in Harlem during the Renaissance at the Savoy and the Cotton Club. At the age of seven, Blow’s mother … Read MoreKurtis Blow/Kurt Walker (1959- )
