Chris Dickerson, born Henri Christophe Dickerson, was the first African American to become Mr. America. He was born August 25, 1939, the youngest of triples, in Montgomery, Alabama. After his parents’ divorce, Dickerson entered a Quaker boarding school in Ohio, where he gained an interest … Read MoreChris Dickerson (1939-2021)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is a hip-hop group that includes members Bryon Anthony “Bizzy Bone” McCane II, Charles “Wish Bone” Scruggs, Steven “Layzie Bone” Howse, Anthony “Krayzie Bone” Henderson, and Stanley “Flesh-n-Bone” Howse. The group is credited with popularizing the Hip Hop subgenre Chopper Rap during the … Read MoreBone Thugs-N-Harmony (1991- )
Composer Sir Charles Jones, a collaborator of throwback and modern in his traditional Southern style of R&B, was born Charles Jones, Jr. on April 25, 1973, in Akron, Ohio, to composer/pianist Charles Jones Sr. and Blanche Jones, a civil rights activist from Birmingham. He was … Read MoreSir Charles Jones (1973- )
R&B lyricist, singer, and dancer Jermaine Stewart was born William Jermaine Stewart in Columbus, Ohio, on September 7, 1957, to Eugene Stewart and Ethel M. Stewart. His parents moved the family to Chicago, Illinois, in 1972. Stewart had four siblings Eugene, Jr., Sondra, Leandra, and … Read MoreJermaine Stewart (1957-1997)
Adah Isaacs Menken was an American actor and poet who performed in New York, San Francisco, London, and Paris and was widely known for her title role in the play Mazeppa, or the Wild Horse of the Tartary. She also wrote poems for magazines and … Read MoreAdah Isaacs Menken (1835-1868)
Charles Henry Chapman was born June 20, 1876, in Cayuga County, New York. He is one of the seven founders (Jewels) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity in the United States established for men of African descent. In 1880, Chapman … Read MoreCharles Henry Chapman (1876–1934)
The Dazz Band, which scored more than 20 hits on Billboard’s rhythm and blues and pop charts, was founded in 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was led by clarinet player, saxophonist and vocalist Bobby Harris and included Kenny Pettus (lead vocalist, percussion), Isaac “Ike” Wiley … Read MoreThe Dazz Band (1976- )
Nathanial Allison Murray was a founder (Jewel) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and noted educator in Washington, D.C. Murray was born April 10, 1884, to Daniel Alexander Payne Murray and Anna Jane Evans Murray. His father, Daniel, was one of the first African American … Read MoreNathanial Allison Murray (1884-1959)
Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers, an interracial and international R&B band, began when Thomas (Tommy) Chong invited Bobby Taylor, whom he had met in San Francisco, California, to become the lead singer for the Canadian group the Calgary Shades in 1961. The ensemble included Chong … Read MoreBobby Taylor & the Vancouvers (1966-1988)
LeVert was a popular R&B group composed of Marc Gordon (1964-2010), Gerald Levert (1966-2006) and Sean Levert (1968-2008). Sean and Gerald were sons of Eddie LeVert, the popular lead singer and founder of the R&B group The O’Jays. Influenced by their father’s illustrious career in … Read MoreLeVert (1983-2006)
