Dwight Arrington “Heavy D” Myers was a rapper, record producer, and actor. Myers was born on May 24, 1967, to Eulahlee Lee and Vincent Myers in Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica. His family moved to Mount Vernon, New York, from Jamaica. Much of Myers of early life … Read MoreHeavy D/Dwight Arrington Myers (1967-2011)
Myra Atwell McDaniel was the first African American in Texas history to serve as the Secretary of State and at the time, the highest ranked African American appointee in the history of Texas government. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1932, McDaniel was one … Read MoreMyra Atwell McDaniel (1932-2010)
Allan Boesak is an award-winning South African theologian and political activist known for his participation in the anti-apartheid movement alongside Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Boesak was born in Kakamas, Northern Cape province on the eastern border of South Africa on February 23, 1946. He … Read MoreAllan Boesak (1946- )
Hannibal Caesar Carter, the second African American to serve as Secretary of State in Mississippi, was born on February 11, 1835, in New Albany, Indiana. Though he spent his early childhood in Toronto, Canada, Carter received a common school education in New Albany. When he … Read MoreHannibal Caesar Carter (1835-1904)
Richard Gordon Hatcher was an American attorney, politician and the first African American mayor of Gary, Indiana. He served in that post for 20 years from 1968 to 1988. Hatcher was born on July 10, 1933, in Michigan City, Indiana. Hatcher and Carl Stokes, who … Read MoreRichard G. Hatcher (1933-2019)
Soprano lyricist June Deniece Chandler Williams was born on June 3, 1951, in Gary, Indiana. She was the first of four children born to Lee Chandler, a security guard, and Alma Chandler, a licensed practical nurse, Williams sang as a child in the choir at … Read MoreDeniece Williams (1951- )
Timuel D. Black Jr. was an African American educator, civil rights activist, historian, and author. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 7, 1918, he was one of four children of Timuel Dixon Black Sr. and Mattie McConner Black. In the summer of 1919, Black’s parents … Read MoreTimuel Dixon Black, Jr. (1918-2021)
Booker T. & The MGs (the Memphis Group), a biracial jazz ensemble, was formed in 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee. The group’s original members were Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), born December 11, 1944; Lewie Steinberg (bass), born September 13, 1933; Al Jackson, Jr. (percussions), born … Read MoreBooker T & the MGs (1962-2017)
Who are they: Dasia Taylor is a young scientist and inventor. In 2019 at 15 years old, she created surgical sutures that change color, indicating whether a patient’s wound is infected. Why are they important to know about: A huge advocate for racial equality, Dasia … Read MoreDasia Taylor (2004- ) [Children’s Edition]
Bass guitarist, vocalist Jermaine LaJuane Jackson was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph Walter Jackson, a steelworker and manager of the family’s band from Fountain Hill, Arkansas, and Kattie B. Screws Jackson, a homemaker from Clayton, Alabama. He is the fourth … Read MoreJermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954 – )
