Actor Justin “Jussie” Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, on June 21, 1982, to a biracial family. His father, Joel Smollett, is Jewish, and his mother, Janet Smollett, is African American. The couple have five other children: Jake, Jojo, Jocqui, Jurnee, and Jazz, but … Read MoreJustin “Jussie” Smollett (1982- )
On April 2, 2019, Lori Lightfoot made history when she was elected the 56th Mayor of Chicago. She was the first black woman elected to that office. She was also the first openly gay person to fill the position. Born on August 4, 1962 she … Read MoreLori Lightfoot (1962- )
Charles Blow is an American journalist, commentator, and op-ed columnist for The New York Times. Born to Spinner and Billie Blow on August 11, 1970, Charles McRay Blow grew up the fifth of five sons in Gibsland, a town in Bienville Parish in northern Louisiana … Read MoreCharles Blow (1970- )
John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi is a psychologist, consultant, and former National Basketball Association (NBA) player. Amaechi was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 20, 1970 to Wendy Amaechi, an English mother, and Jon Amaechi, a Nigerian father who descends from the Igbo people. Amaechi has … Read MoreJohn Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi (1970- )
Ray Douglas McDonald was a running back who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons, 1967 and 1968. McDonald was also one of the first gay athletes in the NFL. Ray McDonald was born on May 7, 1944 … Read MoreRay Douglas McDonald (1944-1993)
Actress Tessa Lynne Thompson was born on October 3, 1983 in Los Angeles, California to Marc Anthony Thompson, Afro-Panamanian, and an unnamed mother, who was half-Caucasian and half-Mexican. She also has a half sister, Zsela Sterlin-Thompson, and a half brother, Jody Rome Thompson. Thompson attended … Read MoreTessa Lynne Thompson (1983- )
Roy Franklin Simmons was professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. He was also one of the first openly gay players in the NFL. Simmons was born on November 8, 1956 in Savannah, … Read MoreRoy Franklin Simmons (1956-2014)
Taylor Nicole Smith is a professional soccer player in the National Women’s League. Smith was born on December 1, 1993 in Fort Worth, Texas to Rose Smith and an unnamed father. Growing up, Smith attended Forth Worth Country Day School located in Fort Worth, Texas. … Read MoreTaylor Nicole Smith (1993- )
Kehinde Wiley, an artist, is best known for his 2018 official portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and the first African American to complete a portrait of a president for the National Portrait Gallery. Wiley was born a twin in Los Angeles, California on February 28, 1977, to Isaiah D. … Read MoreKehinde Obot Wiley (1977- )
Frank Ocean is a singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer and photographer. He was born Christopher Edwin Breaux on October 28, 1987 in Long Beach, California. His parents, Calvin Edward Cooksey and Katonya Breaux, moved the family to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was five years old. His father left the family … Read MoreFrank Ocean (Christopher “Lonny” Francis William Ocean) (1987- )
