Balladeer Robert Peapo “Peabo” Bryson was born on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Marie Bryson. He has two sisters and a brother. His professional career began at 14 as a featured vocalist for the regional ensemble Al Freeman and The Upsetters. In … Read MorePeabo Bryson (1951- )
The academic historian and university administrator Julius Franklin Nimmons Jr. was born on September 11, 1939, in Danville, Virginia, to Julius Franklin Nimmons Sr. from Scotia, South Carolina, and Mozella Flannagan of Danville. He has two sisters. Nimmons graduated from Langston High School in the … Read MoreJulius Franklin Nimmons Jr. (1939- )
Known as the “perfect pitch” virtuosic a cappella legends, the Persuasions were established in 1962 by Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell, who was born on September 25, 1939, in Henderson, Kentucky; bass James Caldon Hayes, born November 12, 1943, in Hopewell, Virginia; composer/tenor Jerome Eugene Lawson, … Read MoreThe Persuasions (1962-2017)
The composers, lyricists, and performers who comprised the duo McFadden and Whitehead were reared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gene McFadden was born on January 28, 1949, in Olanta, South Carolina, and John Cavadus Whitehead was born on July 10, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As teenagers, they … Read MoreMcFadden and Whitehead (1970-2004)
Dr. Cheryl A. Swanier is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and the Henry N. and Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed Professor at Claflin University. Her primary research focuses on Human Computer Interaction and visual programming. Dr. Swanier graduated from Albany State University with a Bachelor … Read MoreCheryl A. Swanier (1967- )
Cheraw is a small town founded in 1820 in northern South Carolina with a population today of approximately 5,500 people. Nearly 60% of the people in Cheraw is African American and almost 30% live in poverty. This small town is not only defined by racialized … Read More3) Cheraw, South Carolina (1820- )
Composer, lyricist, baritone Brook Benton, who sang R&B and ballads, was born on September 19, 1931, in Camden, South Carolina, as Benjamin Franklin Peay to Willie Peay, a United Methodist Minister, pianist, and choirmaster in Lugoff, South Carolina, and Mattie Hill Peay, a gospel singer … Read MoreBrook Benton (1941-1988)
The legendary composers, lyricists, vocalists, and actors Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson dominated the R&B industry for over four decades. Their most tremendous success came with their unmatched music compositions for Motown Records. Ashford was born on May 4, 1941, in Fairfield, South Carolina, to … Read MoreAshford and Simpson (1964-2011)
Howard Lamar Fuller, civil rights and education activist, was born January 14, 1941, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Juanita Smith and Tom Fuller. Grandmother Pearl Wagner raised him until his 1948 reunion with Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Residing at Hillside Terrace public housing, Fuller attended St. … Read MoreHoward Fuller (1941- )
