Birthday Celebrations — August 31

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 31 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Frank Robinson

Born August 31, 1935 — died February 7, 2019

Baseball Hall of Famer, Triple Crown winner, and Major League Baseball’s first Black manager.

Robinson became the only player to win Most Valuable Player honors in both the National and American leagues. In 1975 he broke another barrier as player-manager of Cleveland, becoming the first Black manager in major-league history.

Eldridge Cleaver

Full name: Leroy Eldridge Cleaver

Born August 31, 1935 — died May 1, 1998

Writer, political activist, and former Black Panther Party minister of information.

Cleaver’s Soul on Ice and leadership in the Black Panther Party made him an influential and controversial voice of the late-1960s Black Power movement. His legacy also requires confronting his admitted sexual violence and later dramatic shifts in political ideology.

Marva Collins

Born August 31, 1936 — died June 24, 2015

Educator, school founder, author, and advocate for rigorous teaching.

Collins founded Westside Preparatory School in Chicago and demonstrated that Black children labeled as failures could thrive under high expectations, close attention, and a demanding classical curriculum. Her work challenged deficit thinking in American education.

Wilton Felder

Born August 31, 1940 — died September 27, 2015

Saxophonist, bassist, composer, producer, and founding member of the Jazz Crusaders and the Crusaders.

Felder helped define the Crusaders’ blend of jazz, blues, soul, and funk while also becoming a sought-after studio bassist. His playing appears across recordings by Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Randy Crawford, and many other major artists.

Edwin Moses

Full name: Edwin Corley Moses

Born August 31, 1955

Olympic champion, physicist, sports administrator, and dominant 400-meter hurdler.

Moses won 122 consecutive races over nearly ten years, two Olympic gold medals, and four world titles while revolutionizing hurdling technique. He also became a leading advocate for drug testing, athlete rights, and integrity in international sport.

Fab 5 Freddy

Birth name: Fred Brathwaite

Born August 31, 1959

Visual artist, filmmaker, rapper, cultural connector, and pioneering host of Yo! MTV Raps.

Fab 5 Freddy linked New York’s graffiti, downtown art, punk, and emerging hip-hop communities. Through films, music, exhibitions, and television, he helped carry hip-hop culture from neighborhood spaces to national and international audiences.

Chris Tucker

Born August 31, 1971

Actor, comedian, producer, and international film star.

Tucker’s high-energy stand-up and unforgettable role as Smokey in Friday made him a Black comedy favorite. The Rush Hour series then turned him into one of Hollywood’s highest-profile comic actors and a global box-office star.

Shar Jackson

Full name: Sharisse Jackson

Born August 31, 1976

Actress, singer, and television performer.

Jackson became widely known as Niecy Jackson on Moesha, one of the defining Black teen sitcoms of the 1990s. Her work in television, film, and music made her part of an era that centered Black youth, friendship, family, and growing up.

Joe Budden

Full name: Joseph Anthony Budden II

Born August 31, 1980

Rapper, broadcaster, media entrepreneur, and influential podcast host.

Budden moved from the hit “Pump It Up” and introspective rap into a major second career in digital media. The Joe Budden Podcast helped establish long-form, artist-led conversation as a powerful business and cultural force in hip-hop journalism.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

Full name: Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr.

Born August 31, 1983

Former NFL wide receiver, philanthropist, and Arizona Cardinals legend.

Fitzgerald combined elite hands, route running, durability, and professionalism across 17 seasons. One of the most productive receivers in NFL history, he also became widely respected for community service, global travel, and leadership beyond football.

Jalen Brunson

Full name: Jalen Marquis Brunson

Born August 31, 1996

NBA guard, All-Star, college champion, and New York Knicks leader.

Brunson developed from a second-round draft pick into one of basketball’s leading scorers and floor generals. His footwork, strength, decision-making, and leadership helped restore championship expectations to Madison Square Garden.