June 7, 1958 Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince), singer, songwriter, and musician, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prince’s first album, “For You,” was released in 1978. He composed, produced, arranged, and played all 27 instruments on the recording. In 1979, he had his first major hit album, “Prince,” which contained the single “I Wanna Be Your […]
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June 7th in African American History – James Byrd, Jr.
June 7, 1998 James Byrd, Jr. was murdered in Jasper, Texas when three men hooked him to a pickup truck and dragged him about three miles along the pavement. While being dragged, his arm and head were cut off. The murderers unchained his torso and left it on the road in front of the town’s […]
June 6th in African American History – Tommie Smith
June 6, 1944 Tommie Smith, former track and field athlete and professional football player, was born in Clarksville, Texas. Smith won a track scholarship to San Jose State University where in 1966 he set the world record in the 200-meter race. Also at San Jose State, Smith was a co-founder of the Olympic Project for […]
June 6th in African American History – William Everett “Billy” Preston
June 6, 2006 William Everett “Billy” Preston, rhythm and blues singer and musician, died. Preston was born September 2, 1946 in Houston, Texas. He began playing the piano at age three and by the age of ten was performing in the bands of gospel greats Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, and Andrae Crouch. At the age […]
June 5th in African American History – Henderson v. United States
June 5, 1950 The United States Supreme Court in the case of Henderson v. United States abolished segregation in railroad dining cars. In the case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents ruled that a public institution of higher learning could not provide different treatment to a student solely because of his/her race.
June 5th in African American History – Brian McKnight
June 5, 1969 Brian McKnight, singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, was born in Buffalo, New York. McKnight’s musical career began in childhood and at 19 he signed his first recording deal. His debut album, “Brian McKnight,” was released in 1992 and it was followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997), which sold over […]
June 4th in African American History – Clarissa Davis
June 4, 1967 Clarissa Davis, hall of fame basketball player, was born in San Antonio, Texas. Davis played college basketball at the University of Texas where she was a two-time All-American and National Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. In 1986, she led Texas to the NCAA championship.