Birthday Celebrations — September 18

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

Ben Carson

Full name: Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr.

Born September 18, 1951

Neurosurgeon and former cabinet secretary.

Carson led the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the head as Johns Hopkins’ pediatric neurosurgery director.

Ricky Bell

Full name: Ricardo Bell

Born September 18, 1967

Singer, New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe.

Bell’s tenor helped power New Edition to R&B royalty and BBD’s "Poison" to era-defining status.

Cappadonna

Birth name: Darryl Hill

Born September 18, 1969

Wu-Tang Clan rapper.

His "Winter Warz" verse is legend, and his solo debut The Pillage went gold; some sources give 1968.

Aisha Tyler

Full name: Aisha Naomi Tyler

Born September 18, 1970

Actress, comedian, and director.

Tyler was the first Black woman to host a nationally syndicated late-night show and voiced Archer’s Lana Kane for over a decade.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Full name: Jada Koren Pinkett

Born September 18, 1971

Actress, producer, and talk show creator.

From Set It Off to The Matrix to her Emmy-winning Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith built one of her generation’s most varied careers.

Sol Campbell

Full name: Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell

Born September 18, 1974

English soccer great.

Campbell earned 73 England caps and anchored Arsenal’s unbeaten "Invincibles" season.

Xzibit

Birth name: Alvin Nathaniel Joiner

Born September 18, 1974

Rapper and television host.

The West Coast lyricist became a global personality hosting MTV’s Pimp My Ride.