Birthday Celebrations — May 11

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 11 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

William Grant Still

Born May 11, 1895 — Died December 3, 1978

Field: Classical Music / Composition / Conducting / Black Firsts

William Grant Still was a composer and conductor known as the “Dean of African American Composers.”

Why it matters: Still brought Black musical themes into classical composition and became a major figure in American concert music. His life expands Black music history beyond popular music and jazz.

Hubert T. Delany

Born May 11, 1901 — Died December 28, 1990

Field: Law / Civil Rights / Judiciary / Harlem Leadership

Hubert T. Delany was a lawyer, civil rights advocate, and one of the first Black judges in New York City.

Why it matters: He connects law, Harlem civic life, the NAACP, and the long fight for legal and political access.

Hugh Gloster

Born May 11, 1911 — Died February 16, 2002

Field: Education / Morehouse College / Black Higher Education

Hugh Gloster was the seventh president of Morehouse College.

Why it matters: His leadership helped strengthen Morehouse’s role as a major Black educational institution.

Arthur J. Gregg

Born May 11, 1928 — Died August 22, 2024

Field: Military / U.S. Army / Logistics / Black Military Leadership

Arthur Gregg rose to lieutenant general in the U.S. Army and became a major figure in military logistics.

Why it matters: His career shows Black leadership inside a military system that had only recently desegregated during his lifetime.

Louis Farrakhan

Born May 11, 1933

Field: Nation of Islam / Religion / Black Nationalism

Louis Farrakhan is the longtime leader of the Nation of Islam.

Why it matters: He is historically significant in Black religious, political, and nationalist history, but also controversial. Use carefully depending on the tone of the script.