April 24, 1964 Djimon Gaston Hounsou, actor and model, was born in Cotonou, Benin. Hounsou made his film debut in the 1990 film “Without You I’m Nothing” but his breakthrough came with his portrayal of Cinque in the 1997 film “Amistad.” For that role he received wide critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination.
"Academy Award"
March 18th in African American History – Dana Elaine Owens (Queen Latifah)
March 18, 1970 Dana Elaine Owens (Queen Latifah), rapper, singer and actress, was born in Newark, New Jersey. Latifah started rapping in 1987 with the group Ladies Fresh and released her first album, “All Hail the Queen,” in 1989. Other rap albums include “Nature of a Sista” (1991) and “Order in the Court” (1998). In […]
January 29th in African American History – Oprah Gail Winfrey
January 29, 1954 Oprah Gail Winfrey, television host, producer, businesswoman and philanthropist, was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. At the age of 17, Winfrey won an oratorical contest which secured her a full scholarship to Tennessee State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. In 1983, she moved to Chicago to host […]
November 13th in African American History – Caryn Elaine Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg)
November 13, 1955 Caryn Elaine Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg), actress, comedienne and activist, was born in New York City. In 1983, Goldberg created “The Spook Show”, a one woman show which ran on Broadway for 156 sold out performances and won her the 1985 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One Person Show. In 1985, she made […]
November 8th in African American History – Alfre Ette Woodard
November 8, 1952 Alfre Ette Woodard, film and television actress, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Woodard’s film appearances include “Cross Creek” (1983), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996), and “Down in the Delta” (1998). She has also appeared in a number of television […]
October 26th in African American History – Hattie McDaniel
October 26, 1952 Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, died. McDaniel was born June 10, 1895 in Wichita, Kansas. She was a professional singer/songwriter, comedienne, stage and movie actress, and radio performer. Over the course of her career she appeared in more than 300 films, often portraying a maid. In […]
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 […]