Birthday Celebrations — May 26

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 26 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Miles Davis

Born May 26, 1926 — Died September 28, 1991

Field: Jazz / Trumpet / Composition / Innovation

Miles Davis was a trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Why it matters: Davis changed jazz repeatedly — from bebop and cool jazz to modal, hard bop, fusion, and electric experimentation.

Pam Grier

Born May 26, 1949

Field: Film / Black Women in Hollywood / Action Cinema

Pam Grier is an actress whose roles helped define 1970s action cinema and Black women’s screen power.

Why it matters: Grier’s image, presence, and performances helped create a new kind of Black female action icon — tough, stylish, sexual, strategic, and central to the story.

Lenny Kravitz

Born May 26, 1964

Field: Rock / Soul / Funk / Black Popular Music / Design

Lenny Kravitz is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor known for blending rock, psychedelia, soul, funk, and hip-hop influences.

Why it matters: Kravitz gives May 26 a strong Black rock entry. His work challenges narrow ideas about Black music by showing how Black creativity moves across rock, soul, funk, fashion, design, and visual style without needing to fit into one category.

Lauryn Hill

Born May 26, 1975

Field: Hip-Hop / Soul / Songwriting / Black Women in Music

Lauryn Hill is a singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and member of the Fugees, known for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Why it matters: Hill’s work reshaped the bridge between hip-hop, soul, spirituality, womanhood, vulnerability, and Black self-definition.

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Wear the history: Miles Davis — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.