December 11, 1964 Samuel Cooke, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, was killed. Cooke was born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He began his career singing gospel. In 1950, he became the lead singer for The Soul Stirrers and recorded hits such as “Peace in the Valley” (1951) and “One More River” (1955). In 1957, Cooke […]
Tag Archives | entrepreneur
December 7th in African American History – Marjorie Stewart Joyner
December 7, 1994 Marjorie Stewart Joyner, inventor and entrepreneur, died. Joyner was born October 24, 1896 in Monterey, Virginia. In 1916, she became the first African American to graduate from A. B. Molar Beauty School in Chicago. After graduating, she went to work for Madam C. J. Walker, overseeing 200 of her schools as the […]
November 4th in African American History – Sean John “Diddy” Combs
November 4, 1969 Sean John “Diddy” Combs, rapper, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur, was born in Harlem, New York. Combs attended Howard University but dropped out after becoming a top executive at Uptown Records. In 1993, he established Bad Boy Records where he signed and produced The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, and […]
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 […]
September 13th in African American History – Emmitt Perry, Jr. (Tyler Perry)
September 13, 1969 Emmitt Perry, Jr. (Tyler Perry), writer, director, producer and entrepreneur, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of 16, Perry had his first name legally changed to Tyler. Perry did not graduate from high school, but did earn his GED. Around 1990, he moved to Atlanta and two years later […]
May 7th in African American History – George W. Lee
May 7, 1955 George W. Lee, minister, entrepreneur and civil rights activist, was assassinated. Lee was born in 1904 in Edwards, Mississippi and in the early 1930’s accepted a call to preach in Belzoni, Mississippi. Over time, Lee led four churches, opened a grocery store, and set up a printing business. In 1953, he co-founded […]
May 1st in African American History – Theodore Roosevelt Mason Howard
May 1, 1976 Theodore Roosevelt Mason Howard, surgeon, entrepreneur and civil rights leader, died. Howard was born March 4, 1908 in Murray, Kentucky. During his years in medical school, Howard took part in civil rights and political causes, including writing a regular column for the black newspaper in Los Angeles. He was also the president […]