August 13, 1982 Shani Davis, speed skater and the first black athlete to win a Gold Medal in an individual Olympic Winter Games sport, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Davis learned to roller skate at the age of two and at six years old was enrolled at the Evanston Speed Skating Club. At 16, Davis […]
"Olympic"
August 6th in African American History – David Maurice “The Admiral” Robinson
August 6, 1965 David Maurice “The Admiral” Robinson, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Key West, Florida. Robinson played college basketball for the United States Naval Academy where he was an All-American in 1986 and 1987 and won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as the College Basketball Player of the Year in 1987. […]
July 19th in African American History – Teresa Edwards
July 19, 1964 Teresa Edwards, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Cairo, Georgia. Edwards played high school basketball and in 1982 was the Georgia High School Player of the Year. She played college basketball at the University of Georgia where she was a two-time All-American. After earning her degree in 1990, she played […]
July 7th in African American History – Lisa Deshaun Leslie
July 7, 1972 Lisa Deshaun Leslie, retired women’s basketball player, was born in Gardena, California. By her senior year in high school, Leslie was considered the top female basketball player in the country. While playing for the University of Southern California, Leslie was named the National Freshman of the Year in 1991 and the National […]
June 17th in African American History – Venus Ebony Starr Williams
June 17, 1980 Venus Ebony Starr Williams, professional tennis player, was born in Lynwood, California. Williams began her professional tennis career in 1994 and won her first World Tennis Association singles title in 1998. Over her career, she has won 43 WTA singles titles, more than any other active player on the WTA tour. She […]
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 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.