Birthday Celebrations — September 19

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 19 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Sadie Delany

Full name: Sarah Louise Delany

Born September 19, 1889 — died January 25, 1999

Educator and author.

The first Black woman to teach domestic science in New York’s public high schools became a bestselling author at 103 with Having Our Say, alongside her sister Bessie — born September 3.

Brook Benton

Birth name: Benjamin Franklin Peay

Born September 19, 1931 — died April 9, 1988

Singer and songwriter.

Benton’s velvet baritone delivered "It’s Just a Matter of Time" and the immortal "Rainy Night in Georgia."

Freda Payne

Full name: Freda Charcilia Payne

Born September 19, 1942

Singer and actress.

"Band of Gold" was one of 1970’s biggest records; her protest song "Bring the Boys Home" went gold despite an Armed Forces Radio ban.

Jefferson Thomas

Full name: Jefferson Allison Thomas

Born September 19, 1942 — died September 5, 2010

Little Rock Nine member.

Thomas desegregated Central High, served in Vietnam, and received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Nile Rodgers

Full name: Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr.

Born September 19, 1952

Guitarist, producer, and Chic cofounder.

From "Good Times" — the bassline that birthed "Rapper’s Delight" — to Bowie, Madonna, and Daft Punk, Rodgers wrote a half-century of hits.

Kevin Hooks

Born September 19, 1958

Actor, director, and producer.

The Sounder child star became one of television’s busiest directors, extending the legacy of his father, actor Robert Hooks.

Sanaa Lathan

Full name: Sanaa McCoy Lathan

Born September 19, 1971

Actress and director.

Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar, and The Best Man made her the heart of a golden era of Black romantic film.

Jay Electronica

Birth name: Timothy Elpadaro Thedford

Born September 19, 1976

Rapper and producer.

"Exhibit C" electrified hip-hop, and his long-awaited A Written Testimony arrived with Jay-Z across the album.

Skepta

Birth name: Joseph Junior Adenuga

Born September 19, 1982

British-Nigerian grime pioneer.

Konnichiwa won the Mercury Prize and carried grime to the world stage.

C.J. McCollum

Full name: Christian James McCollum

Born September 19, 1991

NBA guard and union leader.

The 2016 Most Improved Player served as president of the players association.

Trae Young

Full name: Rayford Trae Young

Born September 19, 1998

NBA All-Star point guard.

Young’s logo-range shooting stretched the geometry of the modern game.