*Stephen Wiltshire was born on this date in 1974. He is a Black British architectural autistic savant artist. Stephen Wiltshire was born in London; his father, Colvin, was a native of Barbados, and his mother, Geneva, is a native of St. Lucia. He grew up in Little Venice, Maida Vale, London. Wiltshire was non-verbal when young. At three, he was […]
learn more*Emma Chambers Maitland was born on this date in 1893. She was a Black dancer, teacher, and boxer. Born Jane Chambers, she was from near Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Wyatt Chambers and Cora Chambers. Her parents were sharecroppers, and she had seven brothers. She was educated at a convent school in Rock Castle, Virginia, and […]
learn more*Peggy Cooper Cafritz was born on this date in 1947. She was a Black art collector, educator, activist, philanthropist, and socialite. Born Pearl Alice Cooper, Peggy Cafritz belonged to one of Mobile, Alabama’s wealthiest black families. She later changed her name legally to her childhood nickname, “Peggy.” The Cooper family gained their wealth through Peggy’s […]
learn more*Jewelle Gomez was born on this date in 1948. She is a Black lesbian author, poet, critic, and playwright. Jewelle Lydia Gomez was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Dolores Minor LeClaire, a nurse, and John Gomez, a bartender. Gomez was raised by her maternal great-grandmother, Grace, who was born on Native land in Iowa to an African […]
learn moreCarlyle Brown is a playwright, author, and artistic director. In this segment, he shares three words that describe him and a childhood memory.
learn more*Saka Acquaye was born on this date in 1923. He was a Black Ghanaian musician, playwright, sculptor, and textile designer. Saka Acquaye was born in Accra, Ghana, the sixth child of his parents, Regina and John Akweifio. He attended the Methodist School, Accra Royal School, and then Government Boys Schools. He obtained a Cadbury Scholarship to […]
learn more*Arthur L. Hall was born on this date in 1934. He was a Black dancer, choreographer, and teacher. From Memphis, Tennessee, he was the son of Ms. Sally Yancey and Joshua Milton, was reared by his mother and grandmother, Ms. Emma Yancey, on Beale Street and later in Washington, DC, where Ms. Sally remarried to Patrick Hall, […]
learn more*William Higgins was born on this date in 1888. He was a Black vaudeville entertainer, comedian, singer, and songwriter. William Weldon Higgins was born in Columbia, South Carolina; early on, he was a machinist. He began his career in 1912 on stage; he often worked in blackface and as a singer of ballads at private clubs in his hometown. […]
learn more*The birth of Dora Dean is celebrated on this date in c 1872. She was a Black dancer and entertainer. She was born Dora Babbige in Cloverport, Kentucky. She worked as a nursemaid in Cincinnati, Ohio, before becoming an entertainer. Dean debuted as a dancer with a Creole traveling show. In vaudeville, she was “The Black […]
learn moreseangarrison is an artist and writer. In this segment, he shares his reasons for loving his black community.
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