September 19, 1931 Benjamin Franklin Peay (Brook Benton), singer and songwriter, was born in Lugoff, South Carolina. At the age of 18, Peay moved to New York to pursue his music career. There he changed his name to Brook Benton, at the suggestion of his record label, and earned a good living writing songs for […]
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September 18th in African American History – Jada Koren Pinkett-Smith
September 18, 1971 Jada Koren Pinkett-Smith, film and television actress, producer, director and business woman, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Pinkett-Smith began her career in 1990 but her real success came in 1991 when she starred in the television series “A Different World.” She has appeared in more than 20 films including “Menace II Society” […]
September 18th in African American History – James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix
September 18, 1970 James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix, guitarist, singer and songwriter, died in London, England. Hendrix was born November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington and acquired his first guitar at the age of 15. A self-taught musician, Hendrix moved to New York in 1964 and played with several backing bands for soul, R&B, and blues […]
September 17th in African American History – Orlando Manuel Cepeda
September 17, 1937 Orlando Manuel Cepeda, hall of fame baseball player, was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Cepeda began playing Major League baseball in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants and in his first season was named National League Rookie of the Year. Over his 16 season career, he was selected to seven All-Star teams […]
September 17th in African American History – Mary Morris Burnett Talbert
September 17, 1866 Mary Morris Burnett Talbert, orator, activist and suffragist, was born in Oberlin, Ohio. Talbert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in 1886, the only African American woman in her class. In 1887, she became an assistant principal at a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, the highest position held […]
September 16th in African American History – Riley “B. B.” King
September 16, 1925 Riley “B. B.” King, blues guitarist and singer/songwriter, was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi. In 1948, King moved to Memphis and worked as a singer and disc jockey at the local R&B radio station. King began recording in 1949 and by the 1950s had become one of the most important names in […]
September 16th in African American History – Mamie Smith
September 16, 1946 Mamie Smith, vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist and actress, died. Smith was born May 26, 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a teenager, she danced in Salem Tutt Whitney’s Smart Set and in 1920 she recorded a set of songs, including “Crazy Blues” and “It’s Right Here For You (If You Don’t Get It, […]