The Contours were a talented early Motown Records group that began as a quartet called the Blender in Detroit, Michigan in 1958. They had brilliant choreography of splits and fouetté turns that Motown founder Berry Gordy first thought was too much for a stage act … Read MoreThe Contours (1958-1971)
George Washington Lee was an African American civil rights leader, minister, and entrepreneur. On May 7, 1955, Lee was murdered by white supremacists in Belzoni, Mississippi. Lee’s murder was one of two key events that occurred in Mississippi in 1955, along with the Emmett Till … Read MoreGeorge Washington Lee (1903-1955)
Legendary composer, lyricist, guitarist Roebuck (Pop) Staples, born on December 28, 1914, in Winona, Mississippi, and his wife, Oceola Staple, a pianist from Louisville, Mississippi, was born on September 10, 1917, The couple met as children at the Rosenwald’s Little Red Schoolhouse in Drew, Mississippi … Read MoreThe Staple Singers (1954-2018)
The Chambers Brothers, comprising four brothers, were reared in rural Lee County, Mississippi. Their parents were George Chambers Sr., a farmer, and Victoria Chambers, a seamstress, although both were sharecroppers. There were 13 children. The ensemble members were brothers George Jr., who played the washtub … Read MoreThe Chambers Brothers (1954-1975)
Lulu Merle Johnson was pioneer in education and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the state of Iowa. Born on September 14, 1907 in Gravity, Iowa to Jeanette (Burton) and Richard Johnson, her mother was the daughter of freed slaves, and … Read MoreLulu Merle Johnson (1907-1995)
The 20th-century evolution of Jr. Walker & The All-Stars began with “The Rhythm Rockers,” which became “The All-Stars” in 1961. In 1964, Walker & The All-Stars signed with Motown Records. The ensemble’s legendary composer and leader was Autry “Jr. Walker” DeWalt Mixon II, was born … Read MoreJr. Walker & The All-Stars (1964-1979)
The legendary vocalist and lyricist Denise LaSalle was born Ora Denise Allen on July 16, 1934, on a plantation in Sidon, Leflore County, Mississippi. Her parents were Nathaniel A. Allen Sr. and Nancy Cooper. In 1947, when LaSalle was seven and the youngest of eight … Read MoreDenise LaSalle (1934-2018)
Pianist, singer, lyricist Garland Green, Jr. was born on June 14, 1942, in Dunleith, Mississippi, to Garland Green, Sr. and Mary Green. He was the tenth child of eleven siblings. In 1958, 16-year-old Green moved to Chicago, Illinois and shortly after his arrival he entered … Read MoreGarland Green (1942- )
William Leonard Roberts II, also known as Rick Ross, is a rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Roberts was born on January 28, 1976, to William Leonard Roberts Sr. and Tommie Roberts in Clarksdale, Mississippi but the family relocated to Miami, Florida, when Ross was young. He … Read MoreWilliam Leonard Roberts II/ Rick Ross (1976- )
Who are they: Emmett Till was born on July 25, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. His parent’s names were Louis and Mamie Till. He was an only child, and he attended Mccosh Elementary School on the south side of Chicago. When he was 14 years old, … Read MoreEmmett Louis Till (1941-1955) [Children’s Edition]
