Birthday Celebrations — September 22

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 22 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Virginia Capers

Full name: Eliza Virginia Capers

Born September 22, 1925 — died May 6, 2004

Tony-winning actress.

Capers won the 1974 Tony for Best Actress in a Musical as Lena Younger in Raisin.

Ernest Green

Full name: Ernest Gideon Green

Born September 22, 1941

Little Rock Nine member.

The first Black graduate of Central High — Martin Luther King Jr. attended his 1958 commencement — later served as assistant secretary of labor and received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Harold Carmichael

Full name: Lee Harold Carmichael

Born September 22, 1949

Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver.

At six-foot-eight, the Eagles legend set an NFL record by catching a pass in 127 consecutive games.

Shari Belafonte

Full name: Shari Lynn Belafonte

Born September 22, 1954

Actress, model, and photographer.

The daughter of Harry Belafonte appeared on hundreds of magazine covers before starring on Hotel.

Tai Babilonia

Full name: Tai Reina Babilonia

Born September 22, 1959

World champion figure skater.

With Randy Gardner, Babilonia won the 1979 world pairs title, breaking ground for athletes of color in her sport.

Mystikal

Birth name: Michael Lawrence Tyler

Born September 22, 1970

New Orleans rapper.

His James Brown-influenced delivery powered No Limit-era hits, though repeated criminal convictions complicate his legacy.