Birthday Celebrations — August 13

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 13 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

James B. Parsons

Full name: James Benton Parsons

Born August 13, 1911 — died June 19, 1993

Attorney, federal judge, educator, musician, and judicial trailblazer.

Parsons became the first African American appointed to a U.S. district court judgeship with life tenure under Article III. His 1961 appointment broke a major barrier in the federal judiciary and helped expand Black representation within the legal system.

Kathleen Battle

Full name: Kathleen Deanna Battle

Born August 13, 1948

Operatic soprano, concert singer, recording artist, and Grammy Award winner.

Battle became one of the most celebrated lyric and coloratura sopranos of her generation. Her luminous voice carried spirituals, opera, classical song, and concert music to international audiences, expanding the visibility of Black artists in elite classical spaces.

Dawnn Lewis

Full name: Dawnn Jewel Lewis

Born August 13, 1961

Actress, singer, songwriter, voice performer, and television composer.

Lewis became a beloved part of Black television history as Jaleesa Vinson on A Different World and also co-wrote the show’s theme song. Her career has continued across sitcoms, Broadway, animation, dramatic television, and music.

Shani Davis

Born August 13, 1982

Olympic speed-skating champion and Winter Games trailblazer.

Davis became the first Black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics. With roots in roller skating on Chicago’s South Side, he grew into a world champion in long-track speed skating and helped challenge assumptions about Black participation in winter sports.

Baby Blue

Birth name: Diamond Blue Smith

Born August 13, 1984

Singer, rapper, songwriter, and member of Pretty Ricky.

Baby Blue became part of the Miami group Pretty Ricky, whose blend of R&B harmonies, rap, and sensual slow jams helped define mid-2000s radio. His role in the group connected Southern hip-hop energy with contemporary vocal-group traditions.

DeMarcus Cousins

Full name: DeMarcus Amir Cousins

Born August 13, 1990

NBA center, four-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and collegiate standout.

Cousins became one of basketball’s most skilled and powerful centers, combining size with scoring, passing, rebounding, and ball handling. At his peak, he expanded expectations for what a modern big man could do on the court.