Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 28 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Roxie Roker Full name: Roxie Albertha Roker Born August 28, 1929 — died December 2, 1995 Actress, journalist, community advocate, and television barrier breaker. Roker became beloved as Helen Willis […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 27 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Lester Young Full name: Lester Willis Young Born August 27, 1909 — died March 15, 1959 Jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and one of the most influential soloists in American music. […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 26 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Jimmy Rushing Full name: James Andrew Rushing Born August 26, 1901 — died June 8, 1972 Blues shouter, jazz singer, and longtime featured vocalist with Count Basie’s orchestra. Known as […]
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 […]