February 20, 1963 Charles Wade Barkley, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Leeds, Alabama. Barkley played college basketball at Auburn University where he was a three-time All-SEC selection and Conference Player of the Year in 1984. Barkley was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft and over his 16 year […]
Tag Archives | Emmy Award
February 7th in African American History – Chrisopher Julius “Chris” Rock III
February 7, 1965 Chrisopher Julius “Chris” Rock III, comedian, actor and screenwriter, was born in Andrews, South Carolina. Rock began doing stand-up comedy in 1985 and caught the eye of Eddie Murphy who became his mentor. Rock became a cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” In 1990 and in 1991 released his first comedy album, […]
November 17th in African American History – Esther Rolle
November 17, 1998 Esther Rolle, stage, film and television actress, died. Rolle was born November 8, 1920 in Pompano Beach, Florida. Her earliest roles were on the stage, including “The Blacks” (1962), “Day of Absence” (1965), “Man Better Man” (1969), and her most prominent role in the 1973 play “Don’t Play Us Cheap.”
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 22nd in African American History – Cleavon Jake Little
October 22, 1992 Cleavon Jake Little, film and stage actor, died. Little was born June 1, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dramatic Arts from San Diego State University and received a full scholarship to graduate school at Juilliard. After completing Juilliard, he trained at the American Academy of […]
October 5th in African American History – Bernard Jeffrey Bernie Mac McCullough
October 5, 1957 Bernard Jeffrey “Bernie Mac” McCullough, comedian and actor, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Mac started as a stand-up comedian around Chicago and in 1989 won the Miller Lite Comedy Search. His first major acting role was in the 1995 film “Friday“. That was followed by other roles in films primarily directed at […]
September 30th in African American History – Patrice Louise Rushen
September 30, 1954 Patrice Louise Rushen, R&B singer, songwriter, composer and pianist, was born in Los Angeles, California. At a young age, Rushen was considered a child prodigy. At the age of 18, she won at competition at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival. Rushin earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and piano performance from […]