October 11, 1991 Redd Foxx, comedian and actor, died. Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to New York City in the early 1940s where he was an associate of Malcolm X. In Malcolm’s autobiography Foxx is referred to as “Chicago Red, the funniest dishwasher on […]
"Golden Globe"
September 25th in African American History – Willard Christopher “Will” Smith
September 25, 1968 Willard Christopher “Will” Smith, rapper, actor and film producer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still in his teens, he began rapping and collaborating with Jeff Townes and “DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince” was born. The combination was a hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s creating such songs […]
September 13th in African American History – Nell Ruth Hardy (Nell Carter)
September 13, 1948 Nell Ruth Hardy (Nell Carter), singer and film, stage and television actress, was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Carter broke into stardom with her stage performance in “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, for which she won the 1978 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She also won a 1982 Emmy Award for Outstanding […]
September 11th in African American History – Loletha Elaine Lola Falana
September 11, 1942 Loletha Elaine “Lola” Falana, dancer, singer and actress, was born in Camden, New Jersey. Falana was dancing by the age of 3, singing in the church choir at 5, and dancing in nightclubs while she was still in junior high school. She made her Broadway debut in the 1964 musical “Golden Boy” […]
Wesley A Brown – June 3rd in African American History
June 3rd, in 1949, Wesley A Brown graduated from the US Naval Academy, becoming the first African American to do so. The Annapolis Naval Academy had never, before this date, witnessed an African American succeed beyond the first academic year. Brown received his commission as a naval officer on this momentous occasion, joining one of […]
Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. (Muhammad Ali) – January 17th in African American History
January 17, 1942 Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. (Muhammad Ali), hall of fame boxer, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali began boxing at the age of 12 and went on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, and the Light Heavyweight Gold medal at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympic Games. Ali […]