Charles Wade Mills was a notable Caribbean-American political philosopher and distinguished professor. He was born in London on January 3, 1951 to Jamaican parents, Winnifred and Gladstone Mills, who were both pursuing their graduate degrees in the city. The couple returned to Kingston shortly after … Read MoreCharles Wade Mills (1951-2021)
Law professor and legal activist Henry W. “Hank” McGee, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 31, 1932, to Henry W. McGee, Sr., from Hillsboro, Texas, the first African American Postmaster appointed by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Attye Belle Truesdale McGee, from … Read MoreHenry W. “Hank” McGee, Jr. (1932-2024)
Malawi’s current president, Lazarus Chakwera, was born on April 5, 1955, on the outskirts of Lilongwe to Ernest Person Chakwera and Mallen Mwale. His parents were subsistence farmers. Two of his brothers born before him died in infancy. His father named him Lazarus to express … Read MoreLazarus McCarthy Chakwera
(1995- )
Shawntae “Da Brat” Harris is a rapper and actress. Harris was born on April 14, 1974, to David Ray McCoy, a businessman, and Beverly Calloway, a city bus driver, in Chicago, Illinois. She is the half-sister of actress LisaRaye McCoy. Growing up, Harris lived with … Read MoreDa Brat/Shawntae Harris (1974- )
Vaudeville performer Esther Jones was known on stage by many names, including “Baby Esther,” “Little Esther,” “Farina’s Kid Sister,” and “Miniature Florence Mills,” is widely, although not universally, credited with being the inspiration for the Betty Boop cartoon character. Jones was born Esther Lee Jones … Read MoreEsther Jones (1918-1984)
Lena Lowery Sawner was Oklahoma’s first Black public school principal as well as its first female public school principal. She was also prominent in state and national Black educational organizations. Lena Lowery rose from humble beginnings. Her father, Julius Lowery was born in North Carolina … Read MoreLena Lowery Sawner (1874-1949)
Entertainer Gertrude C. Saunders, was born on August 25, 1903, in Ashville, North Carolina. She attended Benedict Institute (now Benedict College) in Columbia, South Carolina. During her teen years, she left to travel with the vaudeville producer Billy King Stock (Performing) Company, where she performed … Read MoreGertrude C. Saunders (1903-1991)
Gloria Long Anderson is a Professor of Chemistry at Morris Brown College, where she serves as vice president of academic affairs. She was born on November 11, 1938 in Altheimer, Arkansas, to Elsie Lee Foggie Long, a seamstress, and Charles Long, a sharecropper. Anderson was the … Read MoreGloria Long Anderson (1938- )
Psychologist and historian Marvin Dunn was born in an orange grove barn in the Blackberry community of DeLand, Florida on June 27, 1940. His mother, Corinne Elizabeth Williams of Dothan, Alabama, was a housecleaner and cook and his dad, James C. Dunn Sr. of Glenwood, … Read MoreMarvin Dunn (1940- )
Banker and financial expert Jesse H. Turner Jr. was born on May 6, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Jesse H. Turner, the first black CPA in Memphis and an Army Captain in World War II. Jesse H. Turner Jr., was the first African American to … Read MoreJesse H. Turner Jr. (1950- )
