Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 9 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Jackie Wilson Born June 9, 1934 — Died January 21, 1984 Title: Singer, performer, and soul music pioneer Jackie Wilson, known as “Mr. Excitement,” was one of the great performers […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 8 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Keenen Ivory Wayans Born June 8, 1958 Title: Comedian, actor, writer, producer, filmmaker, and television creator Keenen Ivory Wayans is a comedian and filmmaker best known for creating In Living […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 7 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Gwendolyn Brooks Born June 7, 1917 — Died December 3, 2000 Title: Poet, author, teacher, and Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the most important American poets of […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 6 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Marian Wright Edelman Born June 6, 1939 Title: Civil rights lawyer, children’s rights advocate, and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman is a lawyer and civil rights […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 5 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Marion Motley Born June 5, 1920 — Died June 27, 1999 Title: Professional football pioneer and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marion Motley was a football fullback and linebacker who […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 4 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Anthony Braxton Born June 4, 1945 Title: Composer, saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, educator, and NEA Jazz Master Anthony Braxton is an experimental composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work stretches across jazz, classical, […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 3 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Dr. Charles R. Drew Born June 3, 1904 — Died April 1, 1950 Title: Physician, surgeon, and blood banking pioneer Dr. Charles R. Drew was a physician and surgeon whose […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 2 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Dorothy West Born June 2, 1907 — Died August 16, 1998 Title: Writer, novelist, and Harlem Renaissance figure Dorothy West was a writer connected to the Harlem Renaissance, one of […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 1 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Morgan Freeman Born June 1, 1937 Title: Actor, producer, and narrator Morgan Freeman is one of the most respected actors of his generation, known for his calm authority, emotional depth, […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 31 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Shirley Verrett Born May 31, 1931 — Died November 5, 2010 Field: Opera / Classical Voice / Black Women in Music Shirley Verrett was an opera singer known for her […]