January 16, 1950 Deborrah Kaye Allen, actress, choreographer, director, and producer, was born in Houston, Texas. Allen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater in 1971 from Howard University and made her Broadway debut in the chorus of “Purlie” in 1972. In 1980, her appearance in the Broadway […]
Archive | January, 2012
January 16th in African American History – Aaliyah Dana Houghton
January 16, 1979 Aaliyah Dana Houghton, recording artist, actress, and model, was born in Brooklyn, New York, but raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of nine, Aaliyah appeared on the television show “Star Search” and at the age of eleven she performed in concert with Gladys Knight. Her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But […]
January 15th in African American History – Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King, Jr., clergyman, activist, and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. King entered Morehouse College at the age of 15 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1948. He then earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951 […]
January 15th in African American History – Bridget “Biddy” Mason
January 15, 1891 Bridget “Biddy” Mason, nurse, real estate entrepreneur, and philanthropist, died. Mason was born enslaved on August 15, 1818 in Hancock County, Georgia. She was given to a couple as a wedding present and they took her to Mississippi and then to California. California was a free state and any enslaved person brought […]
January 14th in African American History – James Todd Smith (L. L. Cool J)
January 14, 1968 James Todd Smith (L. L. Cool J), rapper, actor, and author, was born in Bay Shore, New York. In 1985, Cool J’s debut album, “Radio,” was released to critical acclaim and went platinum with more than 1.5 million in sales. Other albums followed, including “Bigger and Deffer” (1987), “Mr. Smith” (1995), “G.O.A.T.” […]
January 14th in African American History – John Earl Warren, Jr.
January 14, 1969 John Earl Warren, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, was killed in action. Warren was born November 16, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York. By January 14, 1969, he was serving as a first lieutenant in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division of the United States Army in Tay Ninh Province, […]
January 13th in African American History – Charity Edna Adams Earley
January 13, 2002 Charity Edna Adams Earley, the first African American officer in the Woman’s Army Air Corps, died. Earley was born December 5, 1918 in Kittrell, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and physics from Wilberforce University in 1938 and enlisted in the WAAC in 1942.