*Charlayne Hunter-Gault was born on this date in 1942. She is a Black journalist and civil rights activist. Alberta Charlayne Hunter was born in Due West, South Carolina, daughter of Col. Charles Shepherd Henry Hunter, Jr., U.S. Army, a regimental chaplain, and his wife, the former Althea Ruth Brown. She became interested in journalism at […]
learn more*Helen Martin was born on this date in 1909. She was a Black actress of stage and television. Helen Dorothy Martin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of William Martin, a minister, and Amanda Frankie Fox. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Martin attended segregated public schools. During her teenage years, Martin led a band and performed with local theater groups. For […]
learn more*On this date in 1937, the Negro Actors Guild (NAG) is celebrated. Formed in 1936, the Negro Actors Guild of America (NAG) wanted to eliminate stereotyping of African Americans in theatrical and cinematic performances. They began operation in 1937 to create better opportunities for black actors during a period in America where the country was […]
learn more*Denise Nicolas was born on this date in 1944. She is a Black retired actress, and writer. From Detroit, MI, Nicholas attended the University of Michigan and studied acting in New York. Her stage career began as an apprentice with the Free Southern Theater, touring rural Louisiana and Mississippi during the American Civil Rights Movement. […]
learn more*Chadwick Boseman was born on this date in 1976. He was a Black actor and director. Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina to Carolynand Leroy Boseman. His DNA testing indicate that his ancestors were Krio people from Sierra Leone, Yoruba people from Nigeria and Limba people from Sierra Leone. His […]
learn more*”Slappy” White was born on this date in 1921. He was a Black comedian and actor. Melvin Edward “Slappy” White was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His official biography reported that he “ran away to join the circus” as a child. White was born near the old Royal Theatre in Baltimore, by the age of […]
learn more*Patrick Ellis was born on this date in 1943. He was a Black radio show host and production director. Patrick Connery Ellis was born at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. His mother, Ida Delaney Ellis, was a teacher and his father, Roy Alexander Ellis, was a government labor relations specialist. He had one brother, Roy M. Ellis. After attending public schools, Ellis […]
learn more*Vanessa Williams was born on this date in 1963. She is a Black singer, actress, and fashion designer. Vanessa Lynn Williams was born in The Bronx, New York.Her paternal great-great grandfather was William A. Feilds, a Black legislator in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Her mother Helen Tinch met her father Milton Augustine Williams Jr. […]
learn more*On this date in 1973, The Spook Who Sat by the Door (film) opened in American movie theaters. This was an action crime–drama film based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Sam Greenlee. It is both a satire of the American Civil Rights struggle of the late 1960s and a thoughtful attempt […]
learn more*Ivan Dixon was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black actor, director, activist and producer. Ivan Nathaniel Dixon III was born in Harlem, the son of a grocery store owner. When he was young, Dixon lived at 518 West 150th Street in Harlem, on the same block with Josh White, Ralph […]
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