October 3, 1954 Alfred Charles “Al” Sharpton, Jr., minister, civil rights activist, and radio talk show host, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Sharpton preached his first sermon at the age of four and toured with Mahalia Jackson. While still in high school, Sharpton started promoting concerts and was hired by soul singer James Brown […]
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October 3rd in African American History – India Arie Simpson (India.Arie)
October 3, 1975 India Arie Simpson (India.Arie), singer, songwriter and record producer, was born in Denver, Colorado. Arie’s mother moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia when she was 13. She attended Savannah College of Arts and Design to study jewelry making and, while there, gained an interest in the guitar. Arie eventually formed an independent […]
October 2nd in African American History – Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr.
October 2, 1935 Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr., United States Air Force officer and the first African American selected for astronaut training, was born in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 20, Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Bradley University. After flight training, he was designated a U. S. Air Force pilot […]
October 2nd in African American History – Hazel Dorothy Scott
October 2, 1981 Hazel Dorothy Scott, jazz and classical pianist and singer, died. Scott was born June 11, 1920 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, but raised in New York City. She performed extensively on the piano as a child and received further training at the Julliard School. In 1940, Scott starred at the […]
October 1st in African American History – The “Thrilla in Manila”
October 1, 1975 The “Thrilla in Manila,” the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, was fought in Manila, Philippines. Both men battled each other into near incapacity before Frazier’s trainer stopped the fight after the fourteenth round and Ali was declared the […]
October 1st in African American History – Youssou N’Dour
October 1, 1959 Youssou N’Dour, singer, composer, and entrepreneur, was born in Dakar, Senegal. N’Dour began performing at the age of 12 and within a couple of years was performing with the most popular group in Dakar. In 1979, he formed his own ensemble which by 1981 had evolved into Super Etoile de Dakar, the […]
October 31st in African American History – Frederick Stanley McGriff
October 31, 1963 Frederick Stanley McGriff, former Major League baseball player, was born in Tampa, Florida. McGriff was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1981 amateur draft and reached the majors full time in 1987.