Birthday Celebrations — August 12

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 12 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Lillian Evanti

Birth name: Annie Wilson Lillian Evans

Born August 12, 1890 — died December 6, 1967

Opera singer, composer, concert artist, and civil rights advocate.

Evanti became the first African American to perform with a major professional European opera company. Denied opportunities in segregated American opera, she built an international career and later supported Black classical institutions, including the National Negro Opera Company.

Kid Creole

Birth name: Thomas August Darnell Browder

Born August 12, 1950

Singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and founder of Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

Darnell blended Caribbean rhythm, funk, disco, jazz, theatrical storytelling, and sharp style into a distinctive musical world. His work with Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band and Kid Creole and the Coconuts expanded the creative possibilities of dance music.

Sir Mix-a-Lot

Birth name: Anthony L. Ray

Born August 12, 1963

Rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and Seattle hip-hop pioneer.

Sir Mix-a-Lot helped put Seattle rap on the national map through independent production, regional pride, bass-heavy sound, and entrepreneurial control. “Baby Got Back” became a global hit, but his broader career helped establish a hip-hop industry outside the traditional coastal centers.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Born August 12, 1971

Actress, comedian, writer, producer, host, and voice performer.

Brown built a versatile career across sitcoms, films, animation, game shows, and public commentary. Best known for Community, she has also used her platform to support representation, civic participation, caregivers, and more inclusive storytelling.

Plaxico Burress

Born August 12, 1977

Former NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl champion.

Burress became a major receiving threat with Pittsburgh, the New York Giants, and the New York Jets. His game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLII completed one of football’s greatest upsets and ended New England’s attempt at an undefeated season.

LaKeith Stanfield

Full name: LaKeith Lee Stanfield

Born August 12, 1991

Actor, musician, producer, and Academy Award nominee.

Stanfield emerged as one of his generation’s most unpredictable and inventive actors through Short Term 12, Atlanta, Get Out, Sorry to Bother You, Judas and the Black Messiah, and other projects. His work stretches across surreal comedy, historical drama, horror, and music.

Imani Hakim

Born August 12, 1993

Actress, producer, writer, and television performer.

Hakim began acting professionally as a child and became widely known as Tonya Rock on Everybody Hates Chris. She later expanded into adult dramatic roles, production, and writing, building a career beyond the child-star identity that first introduced her to audiences.