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BlackPast is dedicated to providing a global audience with reliable and accurate information on the history of African America and of people of African ancestry around the world. We aim to promote greater understanding through this knowledge to generate constructive change in our society.

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Tag: Performing Arts – Producers/Directors

Kirk Franklin (1970- )

Gospel singer, songwriter, and choir director Kirk Dewayne Franklin was born Kirk Smith in Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas, on January 26, 1970. His parents were teenagers, and his mother abandoned him at the age of 3, leaving him with his great Aunt Gertrude Franklin. Gertrude … Read MoreKirk Franklin (1970- )

Posted on November 10, 2021November 10, 2021by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Gabrielle Gorman (1998- )

Gabrielle Gorman is a film writer, producer, director, and activist. Gorman was born on March 7, 1998 in Los Angeles, California, and is the twin sister of poet Amanda Gorman. The sisters and their sibling were raised by single mother Joan Wicks, a sixth grade … Read MoreGabrielle Gorman (1998- )

Posted on June 23, 2021June 23, 2021by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Alana Mayo (1985- )

Alana Mayo is a film production executive who was born in New York on May 2, 1985. Mayo was raised in Chicago, but she returned to New York after high school to attended Columbia University. She double majored in English and Film Studies, and graduated … Read MoreAlana Mayo (1985- )

Posted on December 14, 2020March 24, 2021by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Kevin Darnell Hart (1979- )

Kevin Darnell Hart is a comedian, actor, and producer. Hart was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 6, 1979, to Nancy Hart and Henry Witherspoon. He graduated from George Washington High School and briefly attended The Community College of Philadelphia. Hart lived in New York … Read MoreKevin Darnell Hart (1979- )

Posted on August 26, 2020January 27, 2021by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Harry J. Elam Jr. (1957- )

On July 1, 2020, Harry Elam Jr. became the 16th President of Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, one of the country’s top liberal arts colleges. Elam was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts and is the older brother of Guru (1968-2010), founder … Read MoreHarry J. Elam Jr. (1957- )

Posted on July 26, 2020January 20, 2021by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Tyler Perry (1969- )

Tyler Perry is a world-renowned actor, director, producer, writer, and philanthropist. Born Emmitt Perry, Jr. on September 13, 1969 to Willie Maxine Campbell Perry and Emmitt Perry, Sr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, Perry changed his name to Tyler to distance himself from his father. Perry’s … Read MoreTyler Perry (1969- )

Posted on June 21, 2020January 20, 2021by contributed by: Beatrice Johnson
African American History: African American History: People

Malín Falú (1946- )

Melba “Malín” Falú Pesante, model, producer, radio and television personality, was born June 28, 1946, in la Parada 22, Santurce, Puerto Rico to María Magdalena “Malen” Pesante Santana and Juan “Juanín” Falú Zarzuela, founder of the League to Promote the Advancement of Blacks in Puerto … Read MoreMalín Falú (1946- )

Posted on June 5, 2020June 14, 2021by contributed by: Will Guzmán
African American History: African American History: People

Barry Jenkins (1979- )

Barry Jenkins is a film director, writer, producer, and screenwriter. In 2016, he won the Academy Award for Best Picture for Moonlight as well as the Golden Globe Award. His screen adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel If Beale Street Could Talk received critical acclaim and … Read MoreBarry Jenkins (1979- )

Posted on November 24, 2019December 2, 2021by contributed by: Anna Christian
African American History: African American History: People

Wayland Rudd (1900-1952)

Wayland Rudd was an American-born actor who moved to the Soviet Union in 1932 as part of a group of 22 African Americans called the “Black and White Film Club.”  Before moving to the Soviet Union, Rudd gained recognition for his roles in The Emperor Jones and Othello and appeared in a … Read MoreWayland Rudd (1900-1952)

Posted on March 1, 2018June 8, 2020by contributed by: Will Mack
Global African History: Global African History: People

Wilson Pickett (1941-2006)

Image Ownership: Fair Use Soul Singer Wilson Pickett was born on March 18, 1941, in Prattville, Alabama, as the fourth of eleven children. Throughout his childhood, he sang in Baptist church choirs and was trained as a gospel singer. During this period, he began to … Read MoreWilson Pickett (1941-2006)

Posted on July 4, 2017May 20, 2021by contributed by: Joseph Mouser
African American History: African American History: People

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