February 16, 1957 Levardis Robert Martyn “LeVar” Burton, actor, director and author, was born in Landstuhl, West Germany. Burton graduated from the University of Southern California School of Theater. While still in school, he came to prominence portraying Kunta Kinte in the 1977 television miniseries “Roots.” In 1986, Burton originated the role of La Forge […]
Tag Archives | Grammy 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, […]
February 6th in African American History – Natalie Marie Cole
February 6, 1950 Natalie Marie Cole, singer, songwriter and actress, was born in Los Angeles, California. Cole graduated in 1972 from the University of Massachusetts with a major in Child Psychology and a minor in German. Cole released her first album, “Inseparable,” which contained the hit singles “This Will Be” and the title track in […]
January 29th in African American History – William James “Willie” Dixon
January 29, 1992 William James “Willie” Dixon, blues vocalist, songwriter, and record producer, died. Dixon was born July 1, 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. As a teenager, he began adapting the poems that he wrote into songs and selling them to local music groups. In 1936, he moved to Chicago and helped form the Five Breezes. […]
November 25th in African American History – Clerow Flip Wilson Jr
November 25, 1998 Clerow “Flip” Wilson, Jr., comedian and actor, died. Wilson was born December 8, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He lied about his age at 16 and joined the United States Air Force where his personality and funny stories made him popular. After his discharge, he became a regular at the Apollo […]
November 10th in African American History – Miriam Makeba
November 10, 2008 Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist, died. Makeba was born on March 4, 1932 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She began her professional singing career in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional South African melodies.
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 […]