The Reverend James Cleveland (c. 1931-1991) combined his talents as minister, singer, composer, and philanthropist to become known as the Crown Prince of Gospel Music. Variously hailed as the King of Gospel Music and the Crown Prince of Gospel, the Reverend James Cleveland combined his talents as preacher, composer, singer, producer, and philanthropist to become […]
John Royce Mathis born on September 30, 1935, in San Francisco, Johnny Mathis exhibited musical talent from childhood. His parents were both household workers for wealthy San Francisco families and his father Clem, a onetime vaudeville performer from Texas, encouraged his musical abilities. When Mathis was eight years old, his father bought him a […]
Jackie Robinson,the first Black baseball player leagues,became the first Black to compete in the World Series on this date in 1947. *********************************************** Jack Roosevelt Robinson (1919–1972), athlete and autobiographer. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, and grew up in Pasadena, California. He was a star athlete in high school and junior […]
Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo Jo),legendary track star,died in Santa Monica,CA,on this date in 1998.At the time of her death Joyner held world records in the women’s 100 and 200 meter dashes. ************************************************ Florence Delorez Griffith(born Dec. 21, 1959, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S. — died Sept. 21, 1998, Mission Viejo, Calif.) U.S. sprinter. At the 1984 […]
In the video, you can hear the pain in Jamal Parris’ voice as he describes the nature of the relationship with the pastor and spiritual mentor he once referred to as ‘Dad.’ Jamal describes how at age 14 that Bishop Eddie Long took on the role of father figure in his life.He was provided with […]
John W.Coltrane,innovative jazz legend,was born in Hamlet,NC,on September 23, 1926.Some of his famous songs were: “My Favorite Things,” “A Love Supreme,” and “Ascension.”Jazz Musician. Legendary and acclaimed jazz saxophone player, composer and a major figure in the evolution of the jazz styles known as bebop and free jazz. […]
Dr.Mary Church Terrell,the first Black person to serve on the Washington,DC,Board of Education and the first President of the National Association of Colored Women,was born in Memphis,TN,on this date 1863. ******************************************************************* Terrell found that black women’s groups were routinely excluded from national women’s organizations during the late 19th century. They weren’t even allowed to participate […]
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942) is a retired American boxer. In 1999, Ali was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated. He won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times, and won the North American Boxing Federation championship as well as an Olympic gold medal. Ali was born […]
Bishop Eddie L. Long maintained a consistent presence on Twitter and Facebook before sexual coercion charges were brought up against him on Tuesday, September 21st. But he’s been understandably absent from the social networks since then. On Thursday (September 24th), Bishop Long sent a message to his Facebook friends and Twitter followers that simply reads: […]
Claude McKay , poet, novelist, journalist, and social and political radical, commonly associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Born Festus Claudius McKay, he was the son of relatively prosperous peasants living in upper Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. Around the age of seven McKay went to live with and be educated by his brother, Uriah Theodore, a schoolteacher. […]