Birthday Celebrations — July 8

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 8 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Billy Eckstine

Birth name: William Clarence Eckstein

Born July 8, 1914 — died March 8, 1993

Jazz and pop singer, bandleader, style icon, and bebop-era music pioneer.

Eckstine became known for his rich baritone voice and smooth stage presence, but his impact went deeper than popular singing. His 1940s big band helped shape the bebop era and included future jazz giants, making him a bridge between swing, modern jazz, and Black popular music.

Earl Van Dyke

Born July 8, 1930 — died September 18, 1992

Motown keyboardist, bandleader, session musician, and Funk Brothers frontman.

Van Dyke helped power the Motown sound from behind the scenes as a keyboardist and bandleader for the Funk Brothers. His playing supported countless classic recordings and helped give Motown its polished, soulful, unmistakable groove.

Lance Gross

Born July 8, 1981

Actor, model, photographer, producer, and television performer.

Gross came out of Oakland and studied at Howard University before building a career in television and film. He became widely known for his role as Calvin Payne in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, while also working across modeling, photography, and screen production.

Jaden Smith

Real name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith

Born July 8, 1998

Actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, fashion figure, and creative entrepreneur.

Smith entered film as a child actor and later expanded into music, fashion, and youth-centered creative work. His career has included major film roles, recording projects, and a public image built around experimentation, style, and self-expression.