Birthday Celebrations — September 25

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 25 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Eric Williams

Full name: Eric Eustace Williams

Born September 25, 1911 — died March 29, 1981

First prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago and historian.

The Oxford-trained author of Capitalism and Slavery led his nation from colonial rule to independence and is remembered as father of the nation.

bell hooks

Birth name: Gloria Jean Watkins

Born September 25, 1952 — died December 15, 2021

Author and feminist theorist.

Writing in lowercase under her great-grandmother’s name, hooks published over 30 books insisting race, gender, class, and love be examined together.

Scottie Pippen

Full name: Scotty Maurice Pippen Sr.

Born September 25, 1965

Six-time NBA champion.

The ultimate all-around forward powered the Bulls dynasty and the Dream Team.

Will Smith

Full name: Willard Carroll Smith II

Born September 25, 1968

Rapper, actor, and Academy Award winner.

Smith won the first rap Grammy, ruled television as the Fresh Prince, and became one of the biggest movie stars in history.

Chauncey Billups

Full name: Chauncey Ray Billups

Born September 25, 1976

NBA champion, Finals MVP, and head coach.

"Mr. Big Shot" led the 2004 Pistons’ championship upset of the Lakers.

T.I.

Full name: Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.

Born September 25, 1980

Self-proclaimed King of the South.

Trap Muzik helped invent a genre that now dominates global music.

Donald Glover

Full name: Donald McKinley Glover Jr.

Born September 25, 1983

Actor, writer, director, and musician.

Creator of Atlanta and, as Childish Gambino, author of the Grammy-sweeping "This Is America."