Birthday Celebrations — August 26

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

Jimmy Rushing

Full name: James Andrew Rushing

Born August 26, 1901 — died June 8, 1972

Blues shouter, jazz singer, and longtime featured vocalist with Count Basie’s orchestra.

Known as “Mr. Five by Five,” Rushing brought blues authority, rhythmic lift, and a powerful voice to the Basie band. His work helped define Kansas City swing and the vocal bridge from classic blues to rhythm and blues.

Katherine Johnson

Full name: Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson

Born August 26, 1918 — died February 24, 2020

NASA mathematician whose calculations helped make human spaceflight possible.

Johnson calculated trajectories for the first American crewed spaceflights, John Glenn’s orbital mission, and the Apollo program. Her brilliance, later celebrated in Hidden Figures, challenged racial and gender barriers in science while helping the United States reach the Moon.

Valerie Simpson

Born August 26, 1946

Singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, and one half of Ashford & Simpson.

With Nick Ashford, Simpson wrote and produced enduring songs including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “I’m Every Woman,” and “Solid.” Their partnership helped define Motown, soul, disco, and Black love music across decades.

Branford Marsalis

Born August 26, 1960

Saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator, and member of the Marsalis musical family.

Marsalis built a career of unusual range across jazz, classical music, Broadway, film scoring, and collaborations with Sting and hip-hop artists. His quartet and educational work continue a New Orleans family tradition of technical excellence and artistic independence.

Mike Colter

Full name: Mike Randal Colter

Born August 26, 1976

Actor and television leading man.

Colter became widely known as Luke Cage, bringing a bulletproof Black superhero from comic books into a major live-action television series. His work in Evil, The Good Wife, and film has combined physical presence with thoughtful dramatic performance.

Jamal Lewis

Born August 26, 1979

Former NFL running back, Super Bowl champion, and 2,000-yard rusher.

Lewis powered the Baltimore Ravens’ offense with rare size, speed, and endurance. In 2003 he rushed for 2,066 yards, one of the highest single-season totals in NFL history, and established himself among the era’s dominant backs.

David Price

Full name: David Taylor Price

Born August 26, 1985

Major League Baseball pitcher, Cy Young Award winner, and World Series champion.

Price became the first overall pick in the 2007 draft and developed into one of baseball’s leading left-handed pitchers. His career included a Cy Young Award, five All-Star selections, and a crucial role in Boston’s 2018 World Series championship.

Cassie

Birth name: Cassandra Elizabeth Ventura

Born August 26, 1986

Singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and model.

Cassie’s minimalist 2006 hit “Me & U” became a defining recording of mid-2000s R&B and influenced later atmospheric pop production. Her public advocacy as a survivor also helped expose abuse and power imbalances within the music industry.

Big K.R.I.T.

Birth name: Justin Lewis Scott

Born August 26, 1986

Rapper, producer, songwriter, and independent Southern hip-hop artist.

Big K.R.I.T. carries forward Mississippi blues, soul, gospel, and trunk-rattling Southern rap through self-produced music centered on pride, struggle, spirituality, and growth. His independence and musicianship earned a devoted audience beyond commercial trends.

Wayne Simmonds

Born August 26, 1988

Canadian professional hockey player, NHL All-Star, and advocate for diversity in hockey.

Simmonds became known as a powerful, hard-working forward who could score, defend teammates, and lead. His more than 1,000 NHL games and direct challenges to racism made him an important Black presence in a sport with limited diversity.

James Harden

Full name: James Edward Harden Jr.

Born August 26, 1989

NBA Most Valuable Player, Olympic gold medalist, and elite scorer and playmaker.

Harden reshaped modern offense through isolation scoring, step-back three-pointers, foul drawing, and high-level passing. His peak seasons with Houston produced historic scoring numbers and influenced how teams organize the floor around one creator.

Keke Palmer

Birth name: Lauren Keyana Palmer

Born August 26, 1993

Actress, singer, producer, author, and Emmy Award-winning host.

Palmer grew from Akeelah and the Bee into a versatile career spanning film, television, Broadway, music, comedy, and live hosting. Her confidence, humor, and business ownership made her a leading voice for a new generation of Black entertainers.

Cordae

Full name: Cordae Amari Dunston

Born August 26, 1997

Rapper, songwriter, and Grammy-nominated lyricist.

Cordae emerged by combining contemporary production with reflective writing and respect for hip-hop craft. His music explores ambition, family, generational change, and personal responsibility while connecting younger rap audiences with lyrical traditions.

Lil Tecca

Birth name: Tyler-Justin Anthony Sharpe

Born August 26, 2002

Rapper, singer, songwriter, and internet-era hitmaker.

Lil Tecca rose as a teenager with the melodic hit “Ransom,” using digital platforms to reach a global audience from New York. His career reflects the speed, independence, and genre blending that define a new generation of hip-hop artists.