Birthday Celebrations — July 18

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 18 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Birth name: Jalacy J. Hawkins

Born July 18, 1929 — died February 12, 2000

R&B singer, songwriter, musician, actor, boxer, and theatrical rock-and-roll pioneer.

Hawkins turned blues and R&B performance into something wild, dramatic, and unforgettable. His song “I Put a Spell on You” became his signature, while his stage presence helped influence later theatrical rock, shock rock, goth imagery, and generations of performers who blended music with spectacle.

Martha Reeves

Full name: Martha Rose Reeves

Born July 18, 1941

Motown singer, R&B and soul vocalist, lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, and Detroit public servant.

Reeves became one of Motown’s unforgettable voices as the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas. Songs like “Heat Wave,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Dancing in the Street” helped define the Motown sound while carrying joy, movement, and a civil rights-era pulse.

Wendy Williams

Full name: Wendy Joan Williams

Born July 18, 1964

Radio personality, television talk show host, author, producer, and media figure.

Williams began in radio and built a bold, direct, and often controversial media style before becoming a nationally known daytime television host. Her voice, catchphrases, and celebrity commentary made her one of the most recognizable personalities in modern talk-show culture.

Torii Hunter

Full name: Torii Kedar Hunter

Born July 18, 1975

Major League Baseball outfielder, Gold Glove winner, All-Star, and Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame figure.

Hunter became known as an elite defensive center fielder with power, speed, and personality. Over his MLB career, he earned multiple Gold Gloves and All-Star selections while becoming one of the most respected Black baseball players of his generation.