Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 25 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Althea Gibson Full name: Althea Neale Gibson Born August 25, 1927 — died September 28, 2003 Tennis champion, professional golfer, and international sports trailblazer. Gibson broke the color barrier in […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 24 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Ernest Wright Born August 24, 1941 — died May 23, 2023 Singer and founding member of Little Anthony and the Imperials. Wright helped create the close harmonies behind enduring recordings […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 23 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Rudy Lewis Full name: Charles Rudolph Harrell Born August 23, 1936 — died May 20, 1964 R&B singer and lead vocalist of the Drifters. Lewis gave the Drifters some of […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 22 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. John Lee Hooker Born August 22, 1912 — died June 21, 2001 Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and architect of electric Delta blues. Hooker created a hypnotic, driving boogie style heard […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 21 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Count Basie Birth name: William James Basie Born August 21, 1904 — died April 26, 1984 Jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and architect of swing. Basie led one of jazz’s most […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Don King Born August 20, 1931 Boxing promoter and one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern sports. King promoted many of boxing’s largest events and worked with […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 19 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Johnny Nash Full name: John Lester Nash Jr. Born August 19, 1940 — died October 6, 2020 Singer, songwriter, actor, and early American popularizer of reggae. Nash became one of […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 18 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Roberto Clemente Full name: Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker Born August 18, 1934 — died December 31, 1972 Baseball Hall of Famer, Pittsburgh Pirates legend, humanitarian, and Puerto Rican icon. Clemente […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 17 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Marcus Garvey Full name: Marcus Mosiah Garvey Born August 17, 1887 — died June 10, 1940 Jamaican political leader, publisher, entrepreneur, orator, and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 16 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Louis Lomax Full name: Louis Emanuel Lomax Born August 16, 1922 — died July 30, 1970 Journalist, author, television host, and chronicler of the civil rights era. Lomax became one […]