Birthday Celebrations — October 2

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 2 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Nat Turner

Born October 2, 1800 — died November 11, 1831

Enslaved preacher and leader of the 1831 Southampton County rebellion.

Turner led the best-known sustained uprising against slavery in United States history. The revolt and the violent white retaliation that followed intensified national conflict over slavery and produced harsher laws restricting the lives, education, worship, and movement of Black people.

Otis René

Full name: Otis Joseph René Jr.

Born October 2, 1898 — died April 5, 1970

Songwriter and record-label owner whose work helped shape early rhythm and blues and independent Black music enterprise.

Robert Lawrence

Full name: Robert Henry Lawrence Jr.

Born October 2, 1935 — died December 8, 1967

U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, scientist, and astronaut.

In 1967, Lawrence became the first African American selected for a spaceflight program when he joined the Air Force’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory program. A pilot with extensive jet experience and a doctorate in physical chemistry, he died during a training flight before he could travel to space.

Johnnie Cochran

Full name: Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr.

Born October 2, 1937 — died March 29, 2005

Attorney and civil-rights advocate.

Attorney and civil-rights advocate who became one of the most nationally recognized trial lawyers of his era.

Michael Lomax

Full name: Michael Lucius Lomax

Born October 2, 1947

Educator, civic leader and nonprofit executive.

Educator, civic leader and nonprofit executive who became president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Avery Brooks

Full name: Avery Franklin Brooks

Born October 2, 1948

Actor, director, singer, narrator, and educator.

Brooks brought commanding Black leadership to television as Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and earlier starred as Hawk in Spenser: For Hire and A Man Called Hawk. His stage work, teaching, and performances as Paul Robeson connect popular entertainment with Black theatrical tradition.

Khephra Burns

Born October 2, 1950

Author, screenwriter and producer whose work has explored African American history and culture across books and public television.

Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Full name: Vanessa Bell; professional name: Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Born October 2, 1953

Gospel and R&B singer.

Armstrong emerged from Detroit’s gospel tradition with the landmark recording ‘Peace Be Still.’ Her powerful voice and willingness to move between contemporary gospel and R&B helped broaden gospel’s audience while keeping its church-rooted intensity intact.

Freddie Jackson

Full name: Frederick Anthony Jackson

Born October 2, 1956

R&B and soul singer.

Jackson became one of the defining romantic balladeers of 1980s R&B. Songs including ‘Rock Me Tonight,’ ‘You Are My Lady,’ and ‘Have You Ever Loved Somebody’ combined gospel-trained vocals with the polished sound of adult contemporary soul.

Melissa Harris-Perry

Full name: Melissa Victoria Harris-Perry

Born October 2, 1973

Political scientist, author, professor and television host whose work centers race, gender, politics and public life.

Mandisa

Full name: Mandisa Lynn Hundley; professional name: Mandisa

Born October 2, 1976 — died April 18, 2024

Gospel and contemporary Christian singer.

After reaching a national audience on American Idol, Mandisa built a Grammy-winning career around songs of faith, resilience, mental health, and recovery. Her album Overcomer won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

Tyson Chandler

Born October 2, 1982

NBA center, 2011 league champion, Defensive Player of the Year and Olympic gold medalist.

Brittany Howard

Born October 2, 1988

Singer, songwriter and guitarist best known as the lead vocalist of Alabama Shakes and for acclaimed solo work.

Smino

Born October 2, 1991

Rapper and singer from St. Louis.

Rapper and singer from St. Louis known for melodic, genre-blending hip-hop and R&B.