Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (1981- )

R&B composers, lyricists James Samuel “Jimmy Jam” Harris III (born June 6, 1959, in Minneapolis, Minnesota), and Terry Steven Lewis (born November 24, 1956, in Omaha, Nebraska), were one of the most successful songwriting teams of the late 20th Century. Harris was a senior, and … Read MoreJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (1981- )

Sian Proctor (1970- )

Sian Hayley Proctor is a geology professor, motivational speaker, pilot, artist, author, and spaceflight participant most noted for her flight on the civilian-funded Inspiration 4 Space Mission in September 2021. The flight was sponsored by U.S. technology billionaire Jared Isaacman to raise funds for St. … Read MoreSian Proctor (1970- )

Frederick Humphries (1935-2021)

Frederick Stephen Humphries Sr., university president, professor, and HBCU advocate, was born December 26, 1935, in Apalachicola, Florida to Minnie Fry Henry, a domestic servant and teacher, and Thornton Govan Humphries Sr., a lumber mill worker and salter. A lifelong Catholic, Humphries was influenced by … Read MoreFrederick Humphries (1935-2021)

Grafton Tyler Brown (1841-1918)

Grafton Tyler Brown was a cartographer, lithographer, and painter, widely considered the first professional African American artist in California. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1841, Brown learned lithography in Philadelphia and then became part of a cohort of African Americans who sought better economic and … Read MoreGrafton Tyler Brown (1841-1918)

Darnella Frazier (2003- )

Darnella Frazier, an activist and motivational speaker, was born in 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee to parents LaTangie Gillespie and James Frazier. She has three brothers and one sister. Most of Darnella’s life, however, has been spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After being active in varsity basketball, … Read MoreDarnella Frazier (2003- )

Lizzo (Melissa Jefferson) (1988- )

Melissa Viviane Jefferson is an American flutist, songwriter, rapper, and singer who performs under the name Lizzo. Jefferson was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 27, 1988 to Michael Jefferson and Shari Johnson-Jefferson. The family of five lived in Detroit until Jefferson was nine years … Read MoreLizzo (Melissa Jefferson) (1988- )