*On this date in 1903, Walter Roland was born. He was an African American blues, boogie-woogie and jazz pianist, guitarist and singer. Roland was born in Ralph, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He started playing on the Birmingham blues circuit in the 1920s. A competent and versatile pianist, his range covered slow blues to upbeat, jaunty boogie-woogie numbers. He was also skilled as a guitar player and had a forceful singing […]
learn more*On this date in 1903, Tampa Red was born. He was an African American Chicago blues musician. Tampa Red was born Hudson Woodbridge in Smithville, Georgia. His parents died when he was a child, and he moved to Tampa, Florida, where he was raised by his aunt and grandmother and adopted their surname, Whittaker. He emulated his older brother, Eddie, […]
learn moreActress, Author, Animal Advocate Pam Grier shares one of her favorite books and a second career
learn more*John Singleton was born on this date in 1968. He was an African American Film director. John Daniel Singleton was born in Los Angeles, the son of Sheila Ward-Johnson, a pharmaceutical company sales executive, and Danny Singleton, a real estate agent, mortgage broker, and financial planner. He attended Blair High School, Pasadena City College and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He […]
learn more*Evaristo Márquez was born on this date in 1939. He was an Afro-Colombian actor and herdsman. He was born in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, the first free African village in the Americas by decree from the King of Spain in 1731. Before his involvement films he was a herdsman and illiterate. He is best known for his role as José Dolores in the […]
learn more*Willie Best was born on this date in 1916. sometimes known as Sleep n’ Eat, he was an African American television and film actor. A native of Sunflower, Mississippi, William “Willie” Bestcame to Hollywood, California as a chauffeur for a vacationing white couple. He decided to stay in the region and began his performing career with a traveling show in southern California. He was regularly employed […]
learn moreLewis Whitlock, educator, choreographer, producer explains the differences in acting for stage vs acting for media
learn more*Meghan Markle was born on this date in 1981. She is an African American actress, model, humanitarian and The Duchess Of Sussex. Born in Los Angeles, CA; Rachel Meghan Markle”s father is white, and mother is black. Her mother, Doria Radlan, has a master’s degree in social work and is a psychotherapist and yoga instructor. Her father, Thomas W. Markle is […]
learn moreFilm & Video Producer and Technician Renato Payton shares two treasured moments thus far in his career
learn more*Earle Hyman was born on this date in 1926. He was an African and Native American stage and television actor. Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina he is the son of son of Zachariah and Maria Lilly (maiden name, Plummer). His Native heritage included (Tuscarora, Haliwa-Saponi/Nottoway). George Earle Hyman attended public schools in Brooklyn. The […]
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