People, Locations, Episodes

Earle Hyman, Actor born

*Earle Hyman was born on this date in 1926. He was a Black and Native American stage and television actor. George Earle Hyman was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was the son of son of Zachariah and Maria Lilly (maiden name, Plummer). His Native heritage included (Tuscarora, Haleiwa-Saponi/Nottoway).  His life was a theatrical […]

Sidney Poitier, Actor, and Bahamian Ambassador born

*Sidney Poitier was born on this date in 1927. He is an African American actor.

Harry Belafonte, Entertainer, and Activist born

Harry Belafonte was born on this date in 1927. He is an African American entertainer and activist.

Although Harold George Belafonte, Jr., was born in New York City, his parents were from the Caribbean. His father, Harold George Belafonte, Sr., was from Martinique and was a cook in the British Navy. His mother, Malvine Belafonte, was from Jamaica. She worked as a housekeeper and dressmaker. When Belafonte was eight years old, his mother sent his brother Dennis and him to boarding school in Jamaica. He stayed there until high school, when the family moved back to New York City.

Brock Peters, Actor born

Brock Peters, an African American actor, was born on this date in 1927.

Eartha Kitt, Stage, and Screen Singer born

On this date in 1928, Eartha Kitt was born. She was an African American cabaret singer, stage and screen performer, known for her seductive stage presence and her “sex kitten” style.

Dolly Rathebe, South African Entertainer, and Columnist born

*Dolly Rathebe was born on this date in 1928. She was a Black South African musician, columnist, and actress. Dolly Rathebe was born in Randfontein, South Africa, but grew up in Sophiatown, which she describes as “a wonderful place.” She was discovered around 1948 after singing at a picnic in Johannesburg. A talent scout from […]

Roxie Roker, Actress born

Roxie Roker was born on this date in 1929. She was an African American actress and children’s advocate.

She was born in Miami to Albert Roker, who had emigrated from the Bahamas, and Bessie Roker. Roxie Roker attended Howard University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1952. While at Howard, she was an active member in the Howard Players and was featured in several productions. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Mel Stewart, Actor, and Teacher born

*Mel Stewart was born on this date in 1929. He was an African American musician, teacher and actor.

From Cleveland, Ohio Milton Stewart was also an excellent jazz saxophonist. While in New York he played with the likes of John Coltrane and others. Other music-based endeavors include his voice narrating Scenes in the City on Charles Mingus’ album “New York Sketchbook.” As an actor, Broadway is where he Cut His Teeth before starring in Langston Hughes’ Simply Heaven. From there Stewart moved to San Francisco to be in Chicago’s Second City ipmrov group “The Committee.”

Moses Gunn, Stage, and Screen Actor born

On this date in 1929, Moses Gunn, an African American actor, was born.

He was the eldest of seven children from a St. Louis family that splintered when his mother died. He left home and rode the railroad at just 12 years old. He returned to St. Louis, and attended school while living at the home of Jewel Richie, his English and diction teacher.

Black Radio in America, a story

On this date in 1929, “The All-Negro Hour” premiered on American broadcast radio. This was the first radio program to feature Black performers exclusively.

Raymond St. Jacques, Actor born

*Raymond St. Jacques was born on this date in 1930.  He was a Black actor, director, and producer.   St. Jacques was born James Arthur Johnson in Hartford, Connecticut. He had a sister, Barbara Ann. Shortly after his birth, his parents divorced; he moved with his mother and sister to New Haven, Connecticut. Johnson’s mother, […]

Geoffrey Holder, Actor, and Choreographer born

*Geoffrey Holder was born on this date in 1930.  He was a Black Trinidadian American actor, voice actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, and painter. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Geoffrey Lamont Holder was one of four children to parents of Bajan and Trinidadian descent.  He was educated at Tranquility School and Queen’s Royal College in Port of Spain. At seven, he performed in his […]

Whitman Mayo, Actor, and Theater Teacher

Whitman Mayo, an African American actor was born this date in 1930.

Mayo was born in New York City, and moved to Los Angeles where he attended Los Angeles City College and the University of California at Los Angeles. Following college, he spent seven years as a counselor at an institution for delinquent boys. He left counseling and turned to acting while picking up odd jobs, such as picking grapes, working at a dairy, and as a railroad worker. He also spent a year in Mexico playing professional volleyball.

James Earl Jones, Actor born

*James Earl Jones was born on this date in 1931. He is an African American actor.

William ‘BuckWheat’ Thomas, Actor born

*BuckWheat Thomas was born on this date in 1931. He was an African American child actor best remembered for portraying the character of Buckwheat in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films.