Birthday Celebrations — October 5

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 5 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Herb Kent

Born October 5, 1928 — died October 22, 2016

Legendary Chicago radio personality known as “The Cool Gent,” whose decades on air helped define Black radio in the city.

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke

Born October 5, 1932

Lawyer and politician.

Lawyer and politician; first Black woman elected to Congress from the West Coast and first woman to chair the Congressional Black Caucus.

Arlene Smith

Born October 5, 1941 — died July 29, 2026

Singer, songwriter, co-founder, and lead vocalist of the Chantels.

As a teenager, Smith co-wrote and sang lead on ‘Maybe,’ a foundational doo-wop ballad. The Chantels were among the earliest Black female groups to achieve national success, helping create the cultural and commercial path later followed by the great girl groups of the 1960s.

Leon Bibb

Full name: Leon Douglas Bibb

Born October 5, 1944

Broadcast journalist and longtime Cleveland news anchor whose career spanned more than four decades.

Andrea Roane

Born October 5, 1949

Broadcast journalist and news anchor.

Broadcast journalist and news anchor known for decades of reporting in Washington, D.C.

Bernie Mac

Full name: Bernard Jeffrey McCullough; professional name: Bernie Mac

Born October 5, 1957 — died August 9, 2008

Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

Bernie Mac carried the force of Chicago Black comedy from clubs and Def Comedy Jam to film and The Bernie Mac Show. His fearless delivery, family-centered storytelling, and distinctive voice made him one of the defining comedians of his generation.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Born October 5, 1958

Astrophysicist, author, planetarium director, and science communicator.

Tyson has helped bring astronomy and astrophysics to mass audiences through the Hayden Planetarium, books, television, podcasts, and public lectures. His visibility has made a Black scientist one of the most recognizable interpreters of the universe in American culture.

Grant Hill

Full name: Grant Henry Hill

Born October 5, 1972

Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, broadcaster, executive, and art collector.

Hill won two NCAA championships at Duke and became a seven-time NBA All-Star. After major injuries altered his career, he rebuilt himself into a respected veteran and later expanded his influence through broadcasting, sports ownership, philanthropy, and collecting African American art.

Heather Headley

Born October 5, 1974

Trinidadian American singer, songwriter, and actress.

Headley originated Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King and won the Tony Award for her title performance in Aida. She also built a recording career in R&B and gospel, winning a Grammy for Audience of One.

Kevin Olusola

Full name: Kevin Oluwole Olusola; also known as K.O.

Born October 5, 1988

Singer-songwriter, beatboxer, cellist, producer, and member of Pentatonix.

Olusola developed ‘celloboxing,’ combining cello performance with beatboxing, before helping Pentatonix bring a cappella music to a global pop audience. His training and work connect classical musicianship, vocal percussion, digital media, and contemporary Black musical innovation.

Jewell Loyd

Born October 5, 1993

WNBA guard, Olympic gold medalist and league champion.

WNBA guard, Olympic gold medalist and league champion known for elite scoring and longevity at the professional level.