Television pioneer and Emmy-nominated actor John Amos was born John Allen Amos Jr. on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, to John A. Amos, an automobile mechanic, and Annabelle P. Amos, a nutritionist. He was reared in East Orange, where he attended Stockton School … Read MoreJohn Amos (1939-2024)
Joseph “Joe” Pierre Torry is an actor and comedian. He was born on September 28, 1965, to Robert Torry and Rebecca Torry in Saint Louis, Missouri. Torry attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications … Read MoreJoseph “Joe” Pierre Torry (1965- )
Pioneering T.V. Broadcaster Dianne White Clatto, born Dianne Elizabeth Johnson on December 28, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, was the only child of Milton Johnson and Nettie Johnson. Growing up in north St. Louis, Dianne a child, studied piano and classical ballet Pointe technique. She … Read MoreDianne White Clatto (1938-2015)
Civil Rights Advocate, professor, and Pastor William “Bill” Lawson was born William Alexander Lawson on June 28, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Walter Lawson and Clarisse Lawson Cade. William, his two brothers, and his sister were all reared in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1946, … Read MoreWilliam “Bill” Lawson (1929-2024)
Gospel musician, lyricist, and composer Bishop Rance Lee Allen was born on November 20, 1948, in Monroe, Michigan, to Thomas Allen from Nash County, North Carolina, and Emma Pearl Allen McKinney Mendez from Wiggins, Mississippi. Rance had six sisters, Anita Marie Allen Rocker, Judy Rocker, … Read MoreRance Lee Allen (1948-2020)
Dr. Joyce A. Ladner, activist, sociologist, educator, mentor, and author, worked fervently for equality and justice. Ladner was born Joyce Ann Ladner on October 12, 1943, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Annie Ruth Perryman. Joyce was raised with four brothers and four sisters, one of whom … Read MoreJoyce Ladner (1943- )
Charles V. Brantley, who was trained for aerial combat as a Tuskegee Airman, was born Charles Vernon Brantley in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 1, 1920. He was reared in the Ville neighborhood and graduated from racially segregated Charles H. Sumner High School in 1938. … Read MoreCharles V. Brantley (1920-1970)
American jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader Grant Green, who recorded more than 30 albums, was an only child born to John Green and Martha Green in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 6, 1935. Grant’s early music lessons on the guitar were from his father, who … Read MoreGrant Green (1935-1979)
Pamela Sutton-Wallace is a healthcare executive. In 2022, she was appointed COO of Yale New Haven Health, Connecticut’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare system. Wallace was born in September 1969. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and African American Studies from … Read MorePamela Sutton-Wallace (1969-)
Jasmine Felicia Crockett, elected to the United States House of Representatives on November 8, 2022, was born on March 29, 1981, in St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up in the city, she attended Mary Institute, St. Louis County Day School, and Rosati-Kain, an all-girls Catholic School … Read MoreJasmine Crockett (1981- )
