Birthday Celebrations — August 10

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 10 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Anna Julia Cooper

Full name: Anna Julia Haywood Cooper

Born August 10, 1858 — died February 27, 1964

Educator, author, scholar, activist, and foundational Black feminist thinker.

Born into slavery, Cooper became one of the first Black women in the United States to earn a doctoral degree. Her book A Voice from the South argued that Black women’s education and leadership were essential to racial progress, anticipating ideas now associated with intersectional feminism.

George W. Crockett Jr.

Full name: George William Crockett Jr.

Born August 10, 1909 — died September 7, 1997

Civil rights attorney, judge, labor lawyer, and U.S. congressman.

Crockett defended workers, activists, and people targeted by political repression before becoming a Detroit judge and member of Congress. His career connected courtroom advocacy, labor rights, civil liberties, and Black political power across more than half a century.

Ronnie Spector

Birth name: Veronica Yvette Bennett

Born August 10, 1943 — died January 12, 2022

Singer, songwriter, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and lead voice of the Ronettes.

Spector’s unmistakable voice gave the Ronettes classics including “Be My Baby” and helped define the sound and attitude of 1960s girl-group music. Her later comeback and personal story also made her a symbol of artistic survival, independence, and reclaimed identity.

Patti Austin

Born August 10, 1950

Singer, songwriter, jazz and R&B vocalist, and longtime studio performer.

Austin began performing as a child and built a career across jazz, soul, pop, R&B, and film music. Her collaborations with Quincy Jones and James Ingram, along with decades of solo work, established her as one of the most versatile vocalists of her generation.

Aaron Hall

Born August 10, 1964

R&B singer, songwriter, producer, and lead vocalist of Guy.

Hall’s powerful gospel-rooted voice helped define Guy and the new jack swing movement. His intense delivery influenced the sound of late 1980s and 1990s R&B, bridging church-trained vocal power with hip-hop-influenced production.

John Starks

Born August 10, 1965

NBA All-Star, guard, Sixth Man of the Year, and New York Knicks favorite.

Starks rose from an overlooked and undrafted player to become one of the emotional leaders of the 1990s Knicks. His defense, fearlessness, outside shooting, and unforgettable playoff moments made him a lasting symbol of determination in New York basketball.

Riddick Bowe

Full name: Riddick Lamont Bowe

Born August 10, 1967

Undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic silver medalist.

Bowe rose from Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood to become undisputed heavyweight champion. His trilogy with Evander Holyfield became one of boxing’s defining rivalries, showcasing power, skill, courage, and the physical cost of the heavyweight division.

Michael Bivins

Full name: Michael Lamont Bivins

Born August 10, 1968

Singer, rapper, producer, manager, entrepreneur, and member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe.

Bivins helped shape two major eras of R&B through New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, then expanded his influence by discovering and developing artists including Boyz II Men and Another Bad Creation. His career connected performance, management, and music entrepreneurship.

Rickey Smiley

Full name: Broderick Dornell Smiley

Born August 10, 1968

Comedian, actor, radio host, television personality, and writer.

Smiley built a national career through stand-up comedy, prank phone calls, morning radio, television, and public conversation. His work combines character comedy, music, community issues, family life, and Black cultural commentary.