Felix Tshisekedi (1963– )
Felix Tshisekedi, the current President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was born Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on June 13, 1963, in Kinshasa just three years after the DRC gained its independence from Belgium. He identifies with the Luba people. His parents were … Read MoreFelix Tshisekedi (1963– )
Opal Lee (1926- )
Opal (Blake) Lee is a retired teacher and activist who is considered the “grandmother of Juneteenth.” Blake was born on October 7, 1926, in Marshall, Texas to Otis Blake and Mattie Broadus. When Lee was a child, her family home burned down in a fire, … Read MoreOpal Lee (1926- )
Tomás Estrada Palma (1835-1908)
Tomás Estrada Palma, an attorney, was born on July 6, 1835, in Bayamo, Oriente Province in then Spanish Cuba, to Dr. Andrés Duque de Estrada y Palma and Maria Candelaria de Palma y Tamayo. Tomás had two sisters, Margarita Duque de Estrada y Tamayo and … Read MoreTomás Estrada Palma (1835-1908)
Joseph Leabua Jonathan (1914-1987)
Joseph Leabua Jonathan was the first Prime Minister of independent Lesotho. He was born on October 30, 1914, in Leribe, Basutoland now Lesotho), one of the many great-grandchildren of the polygamous King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basuto nation. His parents were Jonathan Ramanemane Molapo and ‘Makatiso … Read MoreJoseph Leabua Jonathan (1914-1987)
Jorge Lopes Bom Jesus (1962- )
Popularly known as JBJ, Jorge Lopes Bom Jesus is the 17th and current Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. He was born in Conceição, Água Grande district, in São Tomé and Príncipe, the youngest of three brothers. Bom Jesus received his primary and secondary education in Sao … Read MoreJorge Lopes Bom Jesus (1962- )
Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona (1967- )
Luis Abinader, the 54th and current president of the Dominican Republic, was born in Santo Domingo on July 12, 1967. His parents were Jose Rafael Abinader Wassef and Rosa Sula Corona Caba. His grandfather emigrated from Lebanon and his mother’s ancestors were from the Canary … Read MoreLuis Rodolfo Abinader Corona (1967- )
Miguel Díaz-Canel (1960- )
The current president of Cuba, Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermudez, was born on April 20, 1960, in Placetas, Cuba, a little more than one year after Fidel Castro led a successful revolutionary guerrilla movement to take control of the island nation. Miguel’s father, Miguel Díaz-Canel, was … Read MoreMiguel Díaz-Canel (1960- )
Wavel Ramkalawan (1961- )
Wavel Ramkalawan is a Seychelles politician and Anglican priest who has served as President of Seychelles since October 26, 2020. Wavel Ramkalawan was born on March 15, 1961 on Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles. His father was a metal worker and his mother … Read MoreWavel Ramkalawan (1961- )
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
(1961- )
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, a lawyer, was born of Hindu heritage on December 25, 1961, in Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius, to Anerood Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius who served more than 18 years in that office, and Sarojini Jugnauth, an elementary school teacher. He … Read MorePravind Kumar Jugnauth
(1961- )