Be sure to also check out this month's Black History Calendar

Color Historical Profiles, Past and Present

This article highlights famous and historical profiles dedicated to the memory of and the continued contributions of people of color who have made and are continuing to make significant achievements and contributions towards the uplifting people of color and other ethnicities of the world. Here are mentioned famous individuals in arts, business, civil, human and social rights, entertainers, singers, actors, literature, politics, music, dancing, government and other venues, who were born in the month of May. Some of the lives of people we are about to revisit or discover transport us to various parts of the United States and other parts of the world, such as Africa, Spain, Netherlands, France, South America, Russia, and the North and South Pole.>

This article is dedicated in memory and continued contributions of people of color in a variety of venues. It focuses on famous and historical people of color born in the month of May. Some well known and not so well known names of people mentioned in this article can be identified as a childhood hero, but depending on your age or generation, the contributions and life styles of some famous people should not be viewed as heroes, but they are. For instance, we have many young people of our day making big money singing rap music. A good number of these young people sang first in their church choirs. Rap artists, in their obituaries are identified as heroes. You may read a brief biography of one such rap artist, who lived primarily by his music, shot dead at the age of 24. There are other achievers mentioned in this article that fit the title of hero and have made significant achievements in the efforts of uplifting people of color. Although some of the famous people of color born on this day may not be role models, something can be learned from each life.

We've accomplished much as the result of many, many individual sacrifices made by people of color, on whose shoulders we've stood and still stand to this present day. This analogy can be applied when we view the lives of all achievers of color, whether living or those who have gone before us even in our own lives.

Bracey Wright, born July 1, 1984, in Colony, Texas, becomes a professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timber-wolves from 2005 to 2007, the Florida Flame from 2005 to 2006, the Aris BC from 2007 to 2008, and the Joventut Badalona from 2008 to 2009. Wright became a member of the gold-medal winning USA World Championship for Young Men Qualifying Team at the 2004 FIBA Americas World Championships.

Edwina Brown Thomas, born, July 1, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, becomes a professional basketball player. Her mother and grandmother raised her. Brown, often called a natural athlete grew up playing all sports. By the end of her high school years, she became a Class 4-A Player of the Year in the state of Texas and awarded a basketball scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin. From this moment her career took off and she began to achieve the dreams she had from childhood. Brown had 4 successful seasons at The University of Texas, being acknowledged by the Big XII Conference and also by USA Basketball. In her sophomore and junior years she represented her country at the Select International Tournaments in China and Canada. After making the R. Williams Jones Cup team that toured China and won the gold medal in Taipei Taiwan, she developed a hunger to be the best. The next summer she completed the roster that represented the US in the Pan American Games that were played in Winnipeg Canada. She became an All-American and winner of the 2000 Wade Trophy Award as National and Player of the Year.

"Plies," born Algernod Lanier Washington, July 1, 1976, in Fort Meyers, Florida, becomes a rapper, who signed to Slip-n-Slide Records. He debuted in 2007 with " The Real Testament" with the chart-topping singles "Shawty" and "Hypnotized". In 2008, Plies recorded two bestselling albums, "Definition of Real" and "Da REALis." He plans to have another album on the charts by September 2009. On July 2, 2006, a shooting at a Gainesville, Florida nightclub saw Plies charged with illegal possession of a concealed weapon and members of his charged with attempted murder.

"Missy Elliott," born Melissa Arnette Elliott, July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, becomes a rap and R&B singer as well as an occasional actress. With record sales of over seven million in the United States, she is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum album.( Under Construction). Elliott is known for a series of hits and diverse music videos including " The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", " Hot Boyz", " Get Ur Freak On", " One Minute Man", " Work It", " Gossip Folks", " Pass That Dutch", " Lose Control" and " Ching-a-Ling". In addition, Elliott has worked extensively as a songwriter and producer for other artists, both alone and with her producer and childhood friend Timbaland (born Timothy Zachary Mosley, March 10, 1971). Elliott's songwriting and production credits include work for a number of other top female artists, among them Aaliyah (born Aaliyah Dana Houghton, January 16, 1979 to August 25, 2001), SWV, Coko (born Cheryl Clemons, June 13, 1973), Tweet (born Charlene L. Keys, January 21, 1971), Ciara (born Ciara Princess Harris, October 25, 1985), Janet Jackson (born May 16, 1966), Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970), Keshia ChantŽ (born Keisha Chante Harper, June 16, 1988), Monica Denise Arnold (born October 24, 1980), Keyshia Cole (born October 15, 1981), Raven-Symone (born Raven-Symone Christina Pearman, December 10, 1985), Madonna (born August 16, 1958), Mary J. Blige (born January 11, 1971), Mýa Marie Harrison, October 10, 1979), Trina (born Katrina Laverne Taylor, December 3, 1978), Danity Kane, Nicole Wray (born May 2, 1981), Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984), Christina Aguilera (born December 18, 1980), Nelly Furtado (born December 2, 1978), Pussycat Dolls, Melanie Brown (born May 29, 1975), Lil' Mo (born Cynthia Loving, July 3, 1973), and Jazmine Sullivan (born April 9, 1987).

Henry Simmons, born one of three children; one his twin, July 1, 1970, in Stamford, Connecticut, becomes an actor. After graduating from college, he briefly worked at a Fortune 500 company in Stamford. Unhappy with his job, Simmons began to study acting and after a few bit roles, he landed a recurring role on the soap opera, Another World . Simmons is best known for playing Detective Baldwin Jones on the ABC drama, NYPD Blue. He also played Queen Latifah's  (born Dana Elaine Owens, March 18, 1970) boyfriend in the 2004 action/comedy film Taxi . He has recently appeared in episodes of the new CBS legal drama Shark starring James Woods. Partly due to his appearance on 'Shark,' Simmons has become a fan-favorite to play the role of Marvel comic book hero Luke Cage aka Power Man,

Andre Braugher, born July 1, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, grows up to become an accomplished actor best known for his portrayal of fiery detective Frank Pembleton on " Homicide: Life on the Street" from 1993 to 1998, and again in the 2000 made-for-TV movie. Braugher's first film role came in 1989 in the Civil War epic " Glory" as Thomas Searles, a free, educated black from the North who joins the first black regiment in the Union Army. Braugher won an Emmy Award in 1999. He left "Homicide" after its sixth season but returned for the successful reunion made-for-TV film. He has also starred in the movies, " City of Angels" and " Poseidon ." In 1997, " People" magazine selected Braugher as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." At New York City's Shakespeare in the Park Festival from June 18 to July 14, 1996 at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, Braugher played the title role in Henry V for which he received an Obie Award. In 2000, he played the title role as Ben Gideon in the series Gideon's Crossing , which lasted only one season despite good reviews. In 2006, Braugher starred as Nick Atwater in the mini-series Thief for FX Networks, winning a second Emmy for his performance. Braugher portrayed General Hager in the 2007 film " Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer ." (As of this writing 06/2009) Braugher's next role will be as Commissioner Bolton in S.M.A.S.H.

Frederick Carl Lewis, born July 1, 1961, in Birmingham, Alabama, grows up to become an Olympic gold medalist, that won 10 Olympic medals; 9 were gold, during his career from 1984 to 1996, 8 World Championship gold medals, and 1 bronze, from 1983 to 1993. His accomplishments have led some people to rank him as the greatest athlete of all time. In 1999, Lewis received acknowledgement as the "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee, elected "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association of Athletics Federations and named "Olympian of the Century" by the American sports magazine Sports Illustrated . In 2000 his alma mater University of Houston made Lewis a university namesake, as they named the Carl Lewis International Complex after him. Lewis has appeared in numerous films and television productions. Among them, he played himself in cameos in " Perfect Strangers" and " Speed Zone! ," and also seen in " Material Girls ."

Evelyn "Champayne" King, born July 1, 1960, in Bronx, New York, becomes an R&B singer, that went on to become one of the most popular R&B and disco singers of the late seventies and early eighties. She is best known for her recording classics such as "Shame", and the groundbreaking use of synthesizers on the songs: " I'm in Love" and " Love Come Down." King's vocal discovery came while cleaning a hotel bathroom. Originally nicknamed "Bubbles," given to her by her mother; at the time of the Disco era, in the late-1970's, King's mother, and her manager/producer, T. Life, thought "Bubble" a childish nickname would be silly, particularly for a Soul Singer, so she took on the nickname "Champagne." Champagne has bubbles.

Shirley Ann Hemphill, born July 1, 1947 to December 10, 1999, in Asheville, North Carolina, becomes a comedian and actress, most notable for her role in the sitcom "What's Happening," which aired from 1976 to 1979. In an effort to get noticed, Hemphill borrowed a cassette recorder, recorded some cassettes of her best routines, and sent them to comedian Flip Wilson (an achiever of color born December 8, 1933 to November 25, 1998). Wilson enjoyed her tapes and invited her to a taping of his TV show, "The Flip Wilson Show." After returning home Hemphill became determined to become a comedy star. She worked during the day as a waitress and did stand up comedy clubs at night. In 1976, Hemphill's stand-up routine started to get noticed. That same year she landed the role of sarcastic waitress Shirley Wilson on the comedy TV series "What's Happening Now."

Frederick L. Lewis, born July 1, 1943 in Huntington, West Virginia, becomes a professional basketball player. He played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and now defunct American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1966 to 1977. Lewis became a fundamentally sound 6'0" guard who could pass, shoot, and defend equally well. He played for the Cincinnati Royals from 1966 to 1967; the Indiana Pacers from 1967 to 1974; the Memphis Sounds in 1974; the Spirits of St. Louis from 1974 to 1976 and back to the Indiana Pacers from 1976 to 1977.

Andrae Crouch, born July 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, becomes a Gospel singer, who in 2004 received honor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He became the third gospel musician to appear on the walk. Crouch received his early musical formation in his parents' church in southern California. His first group, the COGICS (Church of God in Christ Singers/1960), which consisted of AndraŽ Crouch, Gloria Jones (born October 19, 1945), Frankie Karl Springs aka Frankie Karl/Kahrl (born June 25, 1945 to July 31, 2008), Edna Wright (born in 1944), Blinky Williams (born May 21, 1944), Andra's twin sister Sandra Crouch (born July 1, 1942), and Billy Preston (born Srpetember 2, 1946 to June 6, 2006), were the first to record "The Blood". Preston later played organ for the Beatles.

Wally Amos, born July 1, 1936, in Tallahassee, Florida, becomes an entrepreneur, the founder of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Corporation, the very first gourmet cookie business to attract a national following. Almost overnight the effervescent Amos became a minor celebrity, both for the quality of his product and his enthusiasm for its promotion. A Newsweek correspondent called him the "progenitor of the upscale cookie" and "the greatest cookie salesman alive." After spending several years in New York City, Amos dropped out of high school to join the U.S. Air Force, where he earned his G.E.D. degree. Upon discharge from the service, Amos attended secretarial school, learning shorthand, typing, and accounting skills. Amos worked in the stockroom at Sak's Fifth Avenue after returning from the military. He worked diligently, eventually becoming manager of the supply department at the ritzy store. The affable Amos recalled in "Parade" magazine, that he had numerous obstacles to overcome on his long road to success. Growing up poor in the segregated South, he faced adult responsibilities at an early age. Still, Amos said, he had confidence that he could make his way in the world. "You have to focus on what you can do," he said. "There are people who convince themselves that they can't do anything with their lives because of what's happened to them--and they're right. They can't. But the reason is that they've told themselves they can't. They've said 'I am a victim. Somebody did something to me that paralyzed me for life.' If you believe that, you'll never move forward."

Rashied Ali, born Robert Patterson, July 1, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becomes a jazz musician. Rashied is a jazz drummer best known for playing with John Coltrane in the last years of Coltrane's life. His brother, Muhammad Ali, is also a drummer, who played with Albert Ayler, among others. Among his credits is the last recorded work of John Coltrane's life, the Olatunji Concert.

Jean Childs Young, born July 1, 1933-1994, in Marion, Alabama, becomes a civil rights activist, educator, children's welfare worker whose work spanned more than three decades, and wife of once mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young. In 1978 she became widely known as the chairperson of the International Year of the Child. Young never overshadowed by her husband, famed civil rights leader and politician Andrew Young, but worked beside him, helping to further his causes, many of which she supported, while actively defending her own as well.

Bobby Day, born Robert James Byrd, Sr., July 1, 1928 to July 15, 1990 , in Fort Worth, Texas, becomes a rock and roll and R&B singer and musician, (not to be confused with Bobby Byrd, the funk musician from the Famous Flames). At the age of fifteen, as a member of the R&B group, "The Hollywood Flames," used the stage name Bobby Day to perform and record. He went several years with minor musical success limited to the West Coast, including being the original "Bob" in the duo "Bob and Earl." In 1957, Day formed his own band called the "Satellites" following which he authored three songs that are seen today as rock and roll classics. Day's best known songwriting   efforts were "Over and Over,"  made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965 and "Little Bitty Pretty One," popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Clyde McPhatter, in 1962 and the Jackson Five, in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of, "Rockin' Robin," the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit. Day is sometimes referred to as a "one hit wonder."

Nell Jackson, born July 1, 1929-1988, in Athens, Georgia, becomes an Olympic track and field athlete, coach, and educator. Nell Jackson made the 1948 United States Olympic team to London, but did not place in her two events--the two hundred meter and the four-hundred-meter relay. In 1949, however, she set an American record of 24.2 seconds in the two hundred meter, a record that was to stand for six years. She became the National AAU champion in the two hundred meter in 1949, 1950, and 1951. In the first Pan-American games held in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Nell Jackson won a silver medal in the two hundred meter and a gold medal in the four-hundred-meter relay.

Willie Dixon, born July 1, 1915-January 2, 1992 , in Vicksburg, Mississippi, becomes a blues musician who influenced the emergence of electric blues and rock and roll as the behind-the-scenes creator of blues classics, notably "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," which received interpretation by such recording stars as Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 to September 18, 1970), the Allman Brothers, and Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield, April 4, 1913 to April 30, 1983). In 1936 he moved to Chicago, won the Illinois Golden Glove amateur heavyweight boxing championship, and began selling some of his songs.

Leona P. Thurman, born July 1, 1911-May 1, 1985 , in Russellville, Arkansas, becomes the first Black woman to practice law in Kansas City. Thurman served as a devoted member of the Republican Party. Her career focused primarily on criminal cases in the early years of her practice, but soon shifted to divorce cases. Thurman became active in the community, serving as a member of the YWCA, Women's Chamber of Commerce, and League of Women Voters. She also served on the board of directors of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross, Mid-Continent Council of Girl Scouts of America, and the Carver Neighborhood Center. Thurman served as president of the Southwest Bar Association, and chaired the women's division of the World Peace through Law Center. She received the C. Francis Stradford Award in 1960 from the National Bar Association.

Lucile Bluford, born July 1, 1911-June 13, 2003 , in Salisbury, North Carolina, becomes an African-American news publisher and businesswoman, whose name became known outside the city when she sued the University of Missouri for denying her entry to its graduate journalism program. Lincoln University, the Historically Black University, didn't have a journalism program so MU was ordered to admit her. Unwilling to do so, the university suspended offering graduate journalism courses in order to keep her from attending. Years later, she would receive MU's esteemed Honor Medal and an honorary doctorate. During her time at the Call, Bluford was a leader in the Kansas City civil rights movement and made the paper one of national importance to the African-American community through journalism as a whole. The Call was a whole different journalistic approach to the world; a fresh view to read. When Jesse Jackson was running for president and he came to Kansas City to do a campaign speech at the Municipal Auditorium. Bluford was in the upper balcony and Jackson had finished speaking and began asking for campaign contributions. She stood up saying, "Wait a minute. Wait a minute." People saw her, and so everybody got quiet. She's up in the balcony and she leans over and says, "Now Reverend Jackson, how long did you know you were coming to Kansas City before you came?" He said, ÔWell, it was a campaign stop.' She said, ÔIs there any reason you didn't contact the Kansas City Call?' You could hear a pin drop. Jackson said, "Well, no ma'am. I apologize.' And she said, ÔWell, you ought to apologize." There were 8,000 people there and she just dressed him down.

Thomas A. Dorsey, born July 1, 1899-1993, in becomes a composer

Walter Francis White, born July 1, 1893-March 22, 1955, in Atlanta, Georgia, becomes an activist and administrator. White attended segregated Black schools, sat in the rear of buses, and experienced many other indignities of racism. At age thirteen, White witnessed a race riot in Atlanta. He managed to attend Atlanta University. After graduating in 1916, White worked for Standard Life Insurance Company. He became secretary of the Atlanta branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). James Weldon Johnson offered him a full-time post at the NAACP. White's main task became that of investigating lynching and race riots. His light skin enabled him to pass as a white man and this helped him acquire information about racist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. His research eventually received publication in the book, "Rope and Faggot" (1929). In 1929, White was appointed chief executive of the NAACP.

Ben Taylor, born July 1, 1888-January 24, 1953 , in Anderson, South Carolina, becomes a professional baseball player for the Negro League. Taylor made his name playing for the team his brother C.I. Taylor managed and owned, the Indianapolis ABCs. Initially sponsored by the American Brewing Company, the roster was littered with Taylor's, including Ben's brothers "Candy Jim" and "Steel Arm" Johnny Taylor. Prior to Buck Leonard, Taylor became the best first baseman to play in the Negro Leagues.

Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., born July 1, 1877-November 26, 1970 , in Washington, D.C., becomes the first African-American General in the modern era. In 1940 Benjamin O. Davis Sr. received promotion as Brigadier General, the first African- American to hold such a command since reconstruction. During his career he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. The War Department release issued about General Davis' DSM on February 11, 1945, included the following citation: For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility from June, 1941, to November, 1944, as an Inspector of troop units in the field, and as special War Department consultant on matters pertaining to Negro troops. The initiative, intelligence and sympathetic understanding displayed by him in conducting countless investigations concerning individual soldiers, troop units, and components of the War Department brought about a fair and equitable solution to many important problems which have since become the basis of far-reaching War Department policy. His wise advice and counsel have made a direct contribution to the maintenance of soldier morale and troop discipline and has been of material assistance to the War Department and to responsible commanders in the field of understanding personnel matters as they pertain to the individual soldier.

Marshall William Taylor, born July 1, 1846-1887, in Lexington, Kentucky, becomes a Methodist Clergyman and editor. Marshall, according to one authority, adopted the name of Taylor, that of his father being Samuel Boyd and that of his mother Nancy Ann (Williams, post, p. 469). The former, his mother, of Scotch-Irish and Indian descent; the latter, of African and Arabian, her mother having been brought from Madagascar when a child. Marshall's opportunities for education were few. He attended schools for free Negro children in Lexington and at Louisville, to which place the family moved after his father's death. In the latter city he became a messenger for a law firm. In 1866 he taught school in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, and two years later presided at an educational convention held at Owensboro, Kentucky. A zealous adherent of his Church, he upheld the action of the Methodist authorities in refusing to admit Negroes to the Chattanooga denominational school established for white pupils. In his editorials he urged the colored people to work out their own destiny apart from the whites if necessary and not to strive for educational, social, and religious equality with them. The Negro press took exception to his views, which differed widely from those held by many leaders of his race, so that in his later years he lost in popularity. In his own Church he attained a high reputation. From: Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936

Kendrell Bell, born July 2, 1980, in Augusta, Georgia, becomes a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2001 to 2004 and the Kansas City Chiefs from 2005 to 2007. In high school, he became a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track & field. In football, he became an All-State selection and won Atlanta Journal All-South honors. In track & field, he ranked fifth in the state in the shot put as a senior.

Levar Fisher, born July 2, 1979 , in Beaufort, North Carolina, becomes a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints.

Merceda Perry, Jr., born July 2, 1979 , in Asheboro, North Carolina, becomes a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills. He returned to the UNC lineup and started all 12 games after missing the majority of the 2000 season with a fractured right ankle. He provided strong leadership to a young line backing corps in 2001 and finished the year with 39 total tackles, including three for losses.

Troy Fitzgerald Brown, born July 2, 1971 , in Barnwell, South Carolina, becomes a professional football player for the New England Patriots from 1993 to 2007, winning three Super Bowl championships, XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX.

Clark Clifton Kellogg, Jr., born July 2, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio, becomes a professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers. Clark 'Special K' Kellogg attended St. Joseph's High School in Cleveland, Ohio and had a high school basketball career generally regarded as the finest in Cleveland history. In 1990, he joined ESPN as a basketball analyst. He also worked for the Big East Network and Prime Sports. Kellogg also began working as a television analyst for the Indiana Pacers.

Charles Sampson, born July 2, 1957, in Los Angles, California, becomes the first African American to win a championship in his event in professional rodeo. He set a record for earnings in bull riding in 1982 when he became one of the best-known cowboys on the roping-and-riding circuit. Sampson is one of only two African American cowboys to have been inducted in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, along with steer wrestler Bill Pickett. Sampson rode a bull "with fearless tenacity and a unique flair," according to Western Horseman. "With his charismatic personality, cheerfulness, and exceptional talent, Sampson gave rodeo a pattern of superstardom for others to follow," added the magazine. Sampson grew up with 12 brothers and sisters in the Watts area of South Central Los Angeles, a place where gang wars were commonplace on the streets and race riots flared in the 1960s. He managed to avoid getting caught up in the violence as a boy. Small for his age as he approached adolescence, Sampson found that basketball or football, did not suit him, and he began developing his horse-riding talent. He accepted a job shoveling out stalls at a horse stable so that he could pay for roping lessons and ride on full-grown horses. The other stable hands there used to call him Pee Wee because of his small stature. Occasionally Dightman, who gave young Sampson some lessons and other advice, visited the stable. "I remember showing him some photos of me riding steers," said Sampson according to Western Horseman. "And he said, 'You look pretty good, but I would stay in school and get an education.'" Sampson later took the advice and attended Central Arizona State College, on a rodeo scholarship, before seeking his fame in the PRCA. At age 13, some of Sampson's cowboy instructors brought him to Oklahoma where he had his first opportunity to ride bulls in rodeos. Two years later he picked up his first earnings as a bull rider--the modest sum of $164--in a rodeo in El Cajon, California. Sampson continued to advance his talent until he had a serious mishap in 1976, when a bull that had thrown him stepped on his thigh and broke his femur. After a two-year recovery period, he got back into action and won enough money on the circuit to qualify for full membership in the PRCA. He also attended some events in the International Professional Rodeo Association during his early bull riding days. Sampson's left calf has taken an especially bad beating over the years, and is now wired together by screws, 17 pins, and two metal plates. Recounting his various injuries as a bull rider in the New York Times Magazine, Sampson noted, "In 1983, a bull jerked me down and cracked my skull--I broke every bone in my face except my nose. I broke my ankle, my leg, my sternum, and my wrist. In '88, I had an ear ripped off when a bull ran over me and his foot caught my hat." He now has prosthesis for the missing ear. Overcoming his various mishaps in 1981, Sampson took in $49,318 in earnings, which placed him fourth on the yearly list. He hit his professional peak the next year, when he prevented Gay from winning his unprecedented eighteenth consecutive world title in bull riding. Sampson earned top honors as the 1982 World Champion Bull rider, and his name was inscribed in the PRCA's Hall of Champions. "I never dreamed about being champion," he admitted to the Los Angeles Times. With his success continuing, Sampson became the top money winner on the bull riding circuit in the 1980s.

Paul Williams, born July 2, 1939 to August 17, 1973, in Birmingham, Alabama, becomes an R&B singer, an original member of the famed R&B Motown group called "The Temptations." Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations. Williams sang lead on several of the group's songs, and served as the main lead singer during the group's early years. His early leads include, "Your Wonderful Love" (1961), "Slow Down Heart" (1962), " I Want a Love I Can See" (1963), and " Oh, Mother of Mine" (1961) (the group's first single) and " Farewell My Love" (1963) both shared with Eddie Kendricks. Considered the Temptations' best dancer, Williams served as the group's original choreographer, devising routines for his group and The Supremes (most notably their trademark " Stop! In the Name of Love" routine), before Cholly Atkins took over that role for all of Motown's acts. Williams' later leads on Temptations songs include, "Just Another Lonely Night" (1965), "No More Water in the Well" (1967), a cover version of " Hey Girl" (1969), and his signature song " Don't Look Back" (1965). One of his best-known lead performances is his stand out live performance of " For Once in My Life," from the television special TCB, originally broadcast on December 9, 1968 on NBC. The live version of the song "Don't Look Back" is also frequently cited as one of his standout performances.

Ed Bullins, born July 2, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becomes a playwright known for writing plays such as ÔIn the Wine Tine' and ÔGoin A Buffalo.' Bullins became the minister of culture for the Black Panther Movement. The majority of Bullin's work is seen as useful and relevant to Black America. In addition, he has won numerous awards: several Obies, fellowships for playwriting, and New York Drama Critic Awards for playwriting. Bullins is considered by some to be one of the most celebrated playwrights to come from the Black Arts Movement

Ahmad Jamal, born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, becomes a jazz pianist and composer. A child prodigy, Jamal immersed himself in European classical music early in life. At the age of three, he started playing the piano, and at age seven, Jamal's mother arranged for her son to take formal lessons. By the age of eleven, Jamal became skilled enough to begin playing professionally at a local club. "I can't remember the place," he said in an interview with Boston Globe staff writer Marian Christy. "I only remember that people threw loads of money on the bandstand. Maybe it was only a few dollars total. But it sure seemed like a lot of money then." Jamal became greatly inspired by Art Tatum, Teddy Williams, and, especially, a local bebop pianist named Erroll Garner. "Erroll was my major inspiration, not one, my major inspiration," he said, as quoted by Greg Fitzgerald for Nation Public Radio's Jazz Profiles. Regarded as an outstanding conceptionalist with a distinctive style, pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal has made a significant impact on the jazz idiom.

Samuel Frederick Yette, born July 2, 1929, in Harriman, Tennessee, becomes an author and journalist. He began working with Afro-American, covering such historic events as the Montgomery bus boycott, the organization meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the 1957 march on Washington for jobs and freedom. He wrote " The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America," Putnam, in 1971.

Brock Peters, born George Fisher, of African and West Indian parentage, July 2, 1927-August 23, 2005 , in New York City, becomes an accomplished actor probably best known for the role in the 1962 film " To Kill a Mockingbird," of Tom Robinson, the black man unjustly convicted of raping a white girl. Peters set his sights on a show business career early on, at age ten. A product of NYC's famed Music and Arts High School, Peters initially fielded more odd jobs than acting jobs as he worked his way up from Harlem poverty. Peters worked with actor Charlton Heston on several theater productions in the 1940s and 1950s. The two befriended each other and subsequently worked together on several films, including " Major Dundee," " Soylent Green," and " Two Minute Warning." Peters delivered the eulogy at actor Gregory Peck's funeral.

Medgar Evers, born July 2, 1925-June 12, 1963, in Decatur, Mississippi, becomes a civil rights activist. Despite fighting for his country as part of the Battle of Normandy, Evers soon found that his skin color gave him no freedom when he and five friends were forced away at gunpoint from voting in a local election. He married classmate Myrlie Beasley (my maiden name) on December 24, 1951. He helped to organize the RCNL's boycott of service stations that denied blacks use of their restrooms. The boycotters distributed bumper stickers with the slogan "Don't Buy Gas Where You Can't Use the Restroom."

Aaron Henry, born July 2, 1922 , in Coahoma County, Mississippi, becomes a champion of civil rights, leader the Mississippi chapter of the NAACP and a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. He is one of the most revered civil rights leaders in Mississippi. In 1952 Mr. Henry helped to establish and became the first president of the Clarksdale branch of the NAACP. By 1959 he had risen to State President of the Mississippi NAACP. Among the positions held by Mr. Henry have been member of the National Board of the NAACP, Chairman of the Mississippi Voter Registration and Education Project, Chairman of the Democratic State Committee for Mississippi, President of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and Delegate‑at‑Large for that group to the 1964 Democratic National Convention. In 1963 he ran for Governor in Mississippi, receiving more than 90,000 votes. The citizens of Mississippi declared April 12, 1970 as "Aaron Henry Day", whereupon Mr. Henry received the NAACP state award for twenty years of dedicated service. On July 2, 1970, he received the "Abraham Lincoln Award" from the National Education Association Center for Human Relations.

Thurgood Marshall, born July 2, 1908-January 24, 1993 , in Baltimore, Maryland, becomes the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. His original name was Thoroughgood but he shortened it to Thurgood in second grade. His father, William Marshall, instilled in him an appreciation for the Constitution of the United States and the rule of law. Once as a child, as punishment for misbehavior in school, he had to read the Constitution, which he later said piqued his interest in the document.

Richard B. Nugent , born July 2, 1906-May 27, 1987 , in Washington, D.C., becomes a writer and painter of important figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Nugent met Langston Hughes (achiever of color) at an artistic gathering. They became the best of friends. Hughes and other writers offered encouragement and support to Nugent's literary and artistic efforts. Hughes rescued Nugent's first group of poems entitled "Shadows," from the trash and sent it in to Opportunity magazine. Alain Locke (achiever of color) asked Nugent to write a brief explanation of a drawing that he had done of a young African woman. The narrative ended up being more useful than the graphic that Nugent had done. Locke continuously encouraged Nugent in his artistic endeavors; they knew each other through their family connections. During the summer of 1926, Nugent was a part of a group of black artists who envisioned a literary periodical to break with the black literary establishment.

Rev. W. Herbert Brewster, born July 2, 1897 to October 5, 1987, in Somerville, Tennessee, becomes a Gospel musician considered one of the key architects of the modern gospel sound, who wrote his compositions (over 200 songs) for his church services, his renowned gospel drama extravaganzas, his radio ministry, his performing groups, and the top names in gospel music. Among his famous compositions are, "Move On Up A Little Higher" (1946), made popular by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson; "Our God Is Able" (1949); "How I Got Over", made popular by gospel singer Clara Ward; "Peace Be Still" (1949), later made popular by Rev. James Cleveland; "Let Us Go Back To The Old Landmark" (1949); "Have Faith in God" (1952); "Faith That Moves Mountains" (1954); "God's Amazing Love"; "Packing Up" (1957); and "Pay Day" (1958). Brewster's church in Memphis, East Trigg Baptist Church has gone down in Rock-and-Roll history books as Elvis Presley's favorite house of worship.

Cornelius Anthony, born July 3, 1978 , in Pineville, Louisiana, becomes a professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers from 2002 to 2003; the Calgary Stampeders, from 2005 to 2008 and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2008. The year 2007 became his best professional season, making 56 tackles, recording 8 sacks, and recovering a fumble.

David Bowens, born July 3, 1977 , in Denver, Colorado, becomes a professional football player for the Denver Broncos in 1999; the Green Bay Packers in 2000; the Buffalo Bills, in 2001; the Washington Redskins in 2001; the Miami Dolphins from 2001 to 2006; the New York Jets, from 2007 to 2008 and the Cleveland Browns from 2009 to present

Moises Alou, born July 3, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia, becomes a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he played from 1986 through 1990. Moises Alou comes from a well-known baseball family. His father is former Montreal Expos manager Felipe Alou, and he has two uncles who were Major League players: Jesus Alou played for four teams, including the Astros, and Matty Alou played for six teams including the Giants and Pirates. Alou's cousin, Mel Rojas, was a pitcher with five major league teams. His father, preoccupied with his own baseball career, rarely saw the young child. Alou's main contact with his father became that of his baseball card, which he carried in his pocket. From 1990 through 1996, he played for the Montreal Expos, the team his father managed. During this period, Alou saw more of his father than at any time during his life. The elder Alou worked to keep a professional distance from his son, but Alou worked hard to please him. According to Dan Le Batard in the Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, Alou's friend Jerry Manuel said, "He was out of control with emotion; sliding, diving, running faster than we had ever seen him, swinging harder. . . . We had to tell him, 'Moises, please back off.'" "Being in the major leagues, playing for my father, is like a dream," Alou said, according to Tim Kurkjian in Sports Illustrated.

Montel Williams, born July 3, 1956, in Baltimore, Maryland, becomes a TV talk show host and actor, who after graduating from high school in 1974, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After six months, he merited promotes twice, and in 1975, became the first black Marine selected to the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Upon graduating from the Academy's Prep School one year later, Williams received a presidential appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While at Annapolis, he studied Mandarin Chinese and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering and a minor in International Security Affairs. He served on board the USS Sampson during the U.S. invasion of Grenada. His awards include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals and two Meritorious Service Medals. He retired after 22 years' service. In 1991 he began hosting his own TV show, Montel. Williams has portrayed a Navy Seal Lieutenant in several episodes of the TV series JAG. He also played the Judge presiding over Erica Kane's (Susan Lucci) murder trial on the ABC soap opera " All My Children," in 2002. In 2003 he made a guest appearance on the soap, as himself, to promote an episode of his show where several of AMC's stars were scheduled to appear. During an episode of his show that aired on May of 2004, Williams revealed that he had considered committing suicide, after trying cocaine as an alternative to legal medicines. He has been suffering physical pain for a very long time due to multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 1999. He supports the legalization of marijuana for people who suffer from painful terminal or incurable illnesses. He has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Talk Show in 2001 and 2002, and Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2002.

Ruth Simmons, born on of twelve siblings, July 3, 1945, in Grapeland, Texas, becomes an educator, and first Black president of Brown University, sworn in on July 3, 2001. She spent a dozen years at Princeton University in New Jersey, working in various roles.

Fontella Bass, born July 3, 1940 , in St. Louis, Missouri, where and voice and talents were raised in the Black church. She launched her solo career wit the top R&B song entitled "Rescue Me," in 1965. Always sharing her musical gift in local churches, she went on to perform internationally and at Carnegie Hall. 1995's Grammy-nominated album "No Ways Tired" and 1999's "Speaking in Tongues" showcased her extraordinary talents.

Nathan G. Conyers, born July 3, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, becomes a businessman; founder and president of Conyers Riverside-Ford, Inc. Nathan Conyers worked as a successful attorney for a number of years, but couldn't resist the desire to become an entrepreneur. He went on to own Detroit's only African American-owned dealership and the oldest African American-owned dealership in the United States. From his parents, Conyers learned to be self-sufficient, responsible, and committed. John Sr. and Lucille Conyers also stressed the merits of personal and professional success to Conyers and his older brother John Jr., who went on to become a U.S. Congressman. Conyers is known as a standout among African American businessmen, and has received many professional accolades.

Johnny Hartman, born July 3, 1923-September 15, 1983 , in Chicago, Illinois, becomes a singer. He recorded a beautiful set of ballad standards including top-flight renditions of "Lush Life" and "My One and Only Love," the album sparked a flurry of activity for Hartman, including two more albums for Impulse: 1963's I Just Dropped By To Say Hello and the following year's The Voice That Is. In 1980, he recorded two albums, one of which entitled, "Once in Every Life," earned him a Grammy nomination.

Samuel Proctor Massie, born July 3, 1919-April 10, 2005, in Little Rock, Arkansas, becomes a chemist and educator. He read at a third-grade level by the time he entered first grade, skipped several grades and graduated from high school at 13. After graduating, he wanted to attend the University of Arkansas, but the doors were closed to Black students. Undaunted and interested in finding a cure for his father's asthma in 1936, he graduated summa cum laude in chemistry from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). He was named one of the 75 premier chemists of the 20th century, along with Marie Curie, George Washington Carver, Kodak founder George Eastman and DNA researchers James Watson and Francis Crick. Samuel P. Massie Jr., a chemistry professor who became the first African American to teach at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Lorenzo "Piper" Davis, born July 3, 1917-May 27, 1997 , in Piper, Alabama, becomes a professional baseball player for the Birmingham City League Diamonds, the Negro team of the Omaha Tigers, and the Black Barons, during the 1940s. . His basketball skills were recognized and he received an offer from the manager of the Harlem Globetrotters to play during their off season. He remained associated with the Harlem Globetrotters throughout his baseball career. In the beginning, after a single year starring on the Alabama State basketball squad, Davis was forced by family financial circumstances to drop out of college and find a job. In 1948, while taking on the responsibility of managing the Black Barons, Davis signed 16-year-old Willie Mays to a Black Barons contract.

"Mississippi" John Hurt, born July 3, 1893-November 2, 1966, in Teoc, Mississippi, becomes a blues singer. In the early '20s, he teamed up with white fiddle player Willie Narmour, playing square dances. Mississippi John Hurt left behind a legacy unique in the annals of the blues, and not just in terms of music. A humble, hard-working man who never sought fame or fortune from his music, and who conducted his life in an honest and honorable manner, he also avoided the troubles that afflicted the lives of many of his more tragic fellow musicians. No blues singer ever presented a gentler, genial image than Mississippi John Hurt.

Peter Jackson, born July 3, 1861-July 13, 1901, in the West Indies, becomes a heavy weight boxer often called the "Black Prince." His boxing career began in 1882 in Melbourne, Australia, shortly after he used his fists to put down a shipboard mutiny. The incident was reported in the press and soon boxing promoters were after him. In 1886, Jackson won the Australian heavyweight title by knocking out Tom Leeds in the 30th round. He found it difficult to get opponents in Australia, so he moved to the United States in 1888 and fought his way across the country. In 1891, his legend was struck. John L. Sullivan (then) heavyweight champion would not fight him, saying he would not box against Negroes. However, James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett did. On May 21 at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, they fought for 61 rounds and the bout was finally ruled a draw. In his autobiography, Corbett wrote that Jackson could have beaten any heavyweight Corbett ever saw.

Gertrude Mossell, born July 3, 1855-January 21, 1948 , in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania becomes a journalist, educator and feminist. In December 1885 Mossell began writing a column entitled "The Woman's Department" for The New York Freeman, at the time the leading African-American newspaper in the United States. It became the first woman's column published in a black newspaper, and used to advocate for equal rights for women, it appeared in The Freeman until 1886. Mossell became one of the first to recommend that newsboys be used to distribute papers in African-American communities, and to suggest that a black newspaper syndicate similar to the Associated Press be established.

Adrian Griffin, born July 4, 1974 , in Wichita, Kansas, becomes a professional basketball for the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics.

Ellen Bethea, born July 4, 1971, on Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, becomes an actress, best known for her role as Rachel Gannon on One Life to Live,which she originally played from 1992 to 1995.

Harvey Grant, born July 4, 1965, in Augusta, Georgia, one of a twin, becomes a professional basketball player for the Washington Bullets.

Horace Grant, born July 4, 1965 , in Augusta, Georgia, one of a set of twins, becomes a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.

Bill Withers, born July 4, 1938, in Slab Fork, West Virginia, becomes and R&B singer who performed and recorded from the late 1960s until the mid 1980s.To this day, his most popular songs, including "Lovely Day," "Lean On Me" & "Ain't No Sunshine," have been used in countless television advertisements, thereby increasing his popularity as a well-respected artist. He remains one of the most significant and respected singer/songwriters of the 20th Century. Some of his songs, particularly "Lean on Me" and "Use Me" have been performed often in churches because of their lyrics about spiritual topics or people uniting.

Ted Joans, born July 4, 1928-2003, on a riverboat, in Cairo, Illinois, becomes a trumpeter musician, jazz poet and painter. Joans became the originator of the "Bird Lives" (that hangs in the De Young Museum in San Francisco) legend and graffiti in New York City after the death of Charlie Parker in March 1955. Joans invented the technique of outagraphy, in which the subject of a photograph is cut out of the image.

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, born July 4, 1900-1971 (some sources give birth date as August 4, 1901), in New Orleans, Louisiana, becomes a legendary pioneering jazz saxophonist, whose musical skills and bright personality transformed jazz from a rough regional dance music into a popular art form. Probably the most famous jazz musician of the 20th century, he first achieved fame as a trumpeter, but toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and was one of the most influential jazz singers. His father, William Armstrong ( 1881Ð?), abandoned the family when Louis was an infant. His mother, Mary Albert Armstrong ( 1886Ð 1942) then left him and his younger sister Beatrice Armstrong Collins ( 1903Ð 1987) under the upbringing of his grandmother Josephine Armstrong.

Lucy Diggs Slowe, born July 4, 1885-1937, in Berryville, Virginia, becomes an educator. Slowe became the first black woman dean of Howard University. It was in this position that Slowe grew in prominence and became the foremost spokesperson for black women's higher education and leadership training. She worked throughout her tenure at Howard to ensure that the position "Dean of Women" at that and other black institutions carried with it the same status and authority as other administrative posts held by men. She held this position until her death.

Edmonia Lewis, born July 4, 1845(?)- 1911 , in Greenbush, New York, to a Black father and a Chippewa mother who named her "Wild Fire," becomes the first African and Native American sculptor. She became orphaned at the age of nine, and lived with her mother's relatives. Few facts of her early life are known. She carved a masterpiece called "The Death of Cleopatra," in 1876.

John Jasper, born July 4, 1812-1901 , in Fluvanna County, Virginia, the youngest of 24 children, becomes a preacher, philosopher, and orator. One of the great Slave preachers, Jasper became a noted funeral preacher long before the Civil War. Noted for his fervid zeal, gifted imagery, and colorful oratory, as a speaker Jasper was much in demand. He preached in many sections of Virginia and adjoining states. During his August vacation, he conducted famous all-day camp meetings in the country. Sunday after Sunday he could be seen leading his flock to be baptized in the James River. He was known to have baptized as many as 300 people in four hours. He reached the height of his aspiration in 1867 when he organized the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. He gained national distinction in 1878 when he first preached his famed "DE SUN DO MOVE" sermon, which he later delivered by invitation more than 250 times, and once before the entire Virginia General Assembly. This sermon was his effort to prove through biblical references that the sun revolves around the earth.

LaToya Thomas, born July 6, 1981, in Greenville, Mississippi, becomes a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Rockers.

"50 Cent," born Curtis James Jackson III, July 6, 1975 , in Queens, New York, becomes a top-charting gansta rap singer and an occasional actor, who rose to fame following the success of his albums " Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre." He prides himself on having been shot and surviving the ordeal. When he was eight years old, his mother was murdered in her home in a drug deal, and 50 Cent moved in with his grandparents. He soon became immersed in the drug trade, hustling around his native neighborhood by the name of "Boo Boo." By embracing that reputation, 50 Cent built a large following in New York before ever signing a major record deal.

Sophia Witherspoon Thomas, born July 6, 1969 , in probably Florida, becomes a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Liberty.

Valerie Brisco-Hooks, born July 6, 1960, in Greenwood, Mississippi, becomes an Olympic Track and Field athlete. won three gold medals as an Olympic track and field athlete at the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles, California, making her the first Olympian win gold medals in both the 200- and 400-meter races. She also won a gold medal for the 4x400m.

Phyllis Hyman, born July 6, 1949-June 30, 1995, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becomes a singer and entertainer. The oldest of seven brothers and sisters, Hyman grew up poor and became intent on a career as a legal secretary. After high school and attending Robert Morris Business College, the six-foot one-inch beauty made her way to New York now dreaming of a career in the entertainment business. In 1974, she had formed her own group, Phyllis Hyman and the PH Factor. She won a spot on the Duke Ellington Revue "Sophisticated Ladies," she was nominated for a Tony Award in 1981, remaining with the show for three years. In 1986, Hyman moved to the Philly International record label and made some of her best recordings. Albums such as "Living All Alone" and "Prime of My Life," (1991) were released. Also during this period, she was filling venues such as Harlem's Apollo Theater, Oakland's Paramount, and The Fox in St. Louis; often wearing traditional African costumes. Her versatility is shown in a short but impressive performance in Spike Lee's film School Daze. In the 1990's, Hyman gained weight and there were rumors of drug and alcohol abuse, she gave a touching confession when interviewed on the Arsenio Hall Show of how lonely and unhappy she was at the time. On June 30, 1995, just before a show with the Whispers singing group, Phyllis Hyman committed suicide.

Randall Robinson, born July 6, 1941, in Richmond, Virginia, becomes an activist, nationalist and an administrator. His brother Max, became the first African-American network television news anchor. Both were coached as players on the Armstrong High School basketball team. In 1959, Randall won a basketball scholarship to Norfolk State College where he was politically active. He graduated from Virginia Union University in 1967 with a BA in sociology and moved on to Harvard University Law School where he joined a campus protest against apartheid in South Africa. In 1970 he was awarded a law degree and won a Ford Foundation fellowship that allowed him to work in Tanzania. Recognizing the absence of African voices in international policymaking and the general neglect of black countries, he along with others, established an advocacy group. Thus, in 1977 Trans-Africa came into existence with Randall Robinson as its executive director and founder. Robinson has received many awards of recognition including the National Association of Black Journalists' Community Services Award; Africa Future Award presented by the U.S. Committee for UNICEF; the Humanitarian Award from the Congressional Black Caucus and another from the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change; the Hope Award from the National Rainbow Coalition; the Drum Major for Justice Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and the Trumpet Award for International Service by the Turner Broadcasting System. 

Bessie Head, born July 6, 1937-April 17, 1986, in a mental asylum in South Africa, a child of an "illicit" union between a Scottish woman and a Black man, becomes a prominent writer and educator. She attended missionary school and soon began to teach. In 1964, personal problems led her to take up a teaching post in Botswana, where Head remained in "refugee" status for fifteen years before gaining citizenship. All three of her major novels When Rain Clouds Gather, Maru, and A Question of Power along with other works were written in Botswana during this period. Her material deals with issues of discrimination, refugees, racism, African history, poverty, and interpersonal relationships. Much of Head's writing often dealt with poor and emotionally abused Black women dealing with both racist and sexist discrimination. Head's characters are young, old, male and female: this variety allows her to approach the themes from different perspectives, but the focus is always on the struggles and hardships of life in postcolonial Africa.

Gene Chandler, born July 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, becomes a popular soul singer who recorded more than three dozen singles between 1961 and 1980, the most famous of which was his first major hit and trademark number, "Duke of Earl." With the success of that song in 1962, Chandler adopted the persona of R&B royalty, affecting the formal attire of a distinguished gentleman and calling himself the Duke.

Barbara Preiskel, born July 6, 1924-2002, in Washington, D.C., becomes an attorney, activist and administrator. She later joined the Motion Picture Association of America, where she became Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1977-1983. Preiskel served on the Board of Directors of a number of corporations including: American Stores Company, General Electric Company, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Textron Inc., and The Washington Post Company. During her career, she received a number awards including: National Association of Theatre Owners Meritorious Award, 1970; Theatre Owners of New England Award, 1971; National Association of Theatre Owners of N.Y. Meritorious Award, 1972; Wellesley College Alumnae Achievement Award, 1975; Catalyst Award for Women of Outstanding Achievement, 1979; YWCA Ñ Tribute to Women in International Industry Ñ Honoree, 1984; YWCA Ñ Elizabeth Cutter Morrow Award, 1985; AWED Award for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Economic Development, 1985; National Women's Economic Alliance Foundation Ñ Director's Choice Award 1989; Civic Award 1995.

Bessie Griffin, born Arlette B. Broil , July 6, 1922-April 10, 1989, in New Orleans, Louisiana, becomes a Gospel vocalist, a protŽgŽ of African American Gose's great Mahalia Jackson. At the age of five, her mother died, and her grandmother, Lucy Narcisse, raised her, and from whom she learned to sing. In 1951, Mahalia Jackson invited Griffin to sing at Jackson's anniversary celebration. Two years later Griffin joined the Caravans and traveled with them for a year before settling in Chicago. She also hosted her own radio show "The Queen of the South" in New Orleans. In 1956, Griffin visited and worked in Los Angeles. After performing in the musical, Portraits in Bronze, she moved there. Griffin began to take Gospel into the nightclub circuit. This allowed her to contribute to her profession and differentiated her from Jackson. Both singers were from the same hometown. Jackson was Griffin's mentor, to whom she was often compared but Jackson would never have performed in nightclubs. Some of Griffins noted recording were: "The Days Are Passed and Gone," "It's Real," and "Soon-ah Will Be Done With the Trouble of the World." She worked concert tours, television, and Broadway and was nominated for a Grammy.

Jimmy Griffin, born July 6, 1917-2002, in St. Paul, Minnesota, becomes a police officer and activist. Griffin became St. Paul's first Black sergeant in 1955, the first Black captain in 1970, and in 1972, the first to make deputy chief Ñ but he had to sue the city to get that job, despite a top score on the examination. In the 1950s and '60s, Griffin also traveled throughout Minnesota refereeing small-college and high school football and basketball games. He was the first Black person seen in some towns. He was always conscious of the presence of racism in Minnesota; Griffin said when he was interviewed in recent years. He chose to fight it mostly by trying to bridge differences, sometimes irritating people who had less patience.

Ellis O'Neal Knox, born July 6, 1900-1975 , in northern California, becomes an educator. In 1931, Dr. Ellis O'neal Knox became the first African-American to be awarded a Ph.D. on the West Coast. He was granted his Doctorate of Philosophy in the field of Education (the history and philosophy of) from the University of Southern California. In 1928, the Los Angeles public school teacher earned his Master of Arts from the same institution. His Bachelor of Arts degree was received in 1922 from the University of California at Berkeley. Knox became the National Chairman of the Education Division of the NAACP from 1940 to 1962. During this time, he worked with Charles H. Houston and Thurgood Marshall in preparation for the Brown vs. the Board of Education case. In 1955, Knox accepted a position as a member of the President's White House Conference on Education. Seven years later, he became a consultant to both the Peace Corps and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Throughout his lifetime, Knox published several studies on the philosophy of education, including five books; they are: The Decline of Denomination Colleges in the United States (1935), The Minority Group Educational Programs in the United States (1947), Democracy and the District of Columbia Public Schools (1957), Land Grant College Education in the United States (1963), and The History of Nursery School Programs in America (1966).

Lisa Leslie Thomas , born July 7, 1972, in Garden, Colorado, becomes a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Thomas S. Garrick, born July 7, 1966, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, becomes a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Eric Jerome Dickey, born July 7, 1961 , in Memphis, Tennessee, becomes a New York Times best-selling American author best known for his novels about contemporary African-American life. He is also known for writing several crime novels involving grifters, ex cons, and assassins, the latter novels having more diverse settings, moving from Los Angeles to the UK to the West Indies, each having an international cast of characters.

Ralph Lee Sampson , born July 7, 1960, in Harrisburg, Virginia, becomes a professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets.

Hakim Warrick, born July 8, 1982 , in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becomes a professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marcus Chong, born July 8, 1967 , in Seattle, Washington, the adopted son of famous comedian Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame becomes an actor. In the early 1990's he played lead character Miguel Mendez on the TV show Street Justice. He later appeared in the Vanishing Son action series as Fu Qua Johnson and has also played a multiracial character of African American/Chinese descent in the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He has also starred as Tank in the critically acclaimed film The Matrix 

Louis Jordan, born July 8, 1908-February 4, 1975, in Brinkley, Arkansas, became a pioneering American blues, jazz and rhythm & blues musician and songwriter who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. He became known as "The King of the Jukebox."  Jordan was one of the first black recording artists whose popularity crossed over into the mainstream white audience and who scored hits on both the "race" charts and the mainstream white pop charts. He is now acknowledged as one of the most successful African-American musicians of the 20th century, ranking fifth in the list of the all-time most successful black recording artists.

O. J. Simpson, born July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, becomes a professional football player and actor. He became very controversial when arrested for allegedly killing his wife and her friend.

June Jordan, born July 9, 1936-2002 , in Harlem, New York, becomes a political activist, writer, poet, and educator.

Jester Hairston, born July 9, 1901-2000 , in Forsyth County, North Carolina, becomes a composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor, and actor. He graduated cum laude from Tufts University and studied music at the Juilliard School as well. He worked as a choir conductor in the early stages of his career. His work with choirs on Broadway eventually led to his singing and acting in plays, films, radio programs, and television shows. Hairston wrote the song " Mary's Boy Child," in 1956. He also wrote the song "Amen", which he dubbed for actor Sidney Poitier in the film " Lilies of the Field (1960)." Most of Hairston's film work was in the field of composing, arranging, and choral conducting. Hairston also acted in over twenty films, mostly in small parts, some of which were not credited to him. Among the films he appeared in were " The Alamo (1960)" and " To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)." 

Chukie Nwokorie, born July 10, 1975 , in Tuskegee, Alabama, becomes a professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Gladiators and the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Brent Alexander, born On July 10, 1971 , in Gallatin, Tennessee, becomes a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants.

Marquand Manuel, born On Jul 11, 1979, in Miami, Florid, becomes a professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions.

"Lil Kim," born Kimberly Denise Jones, July 11, 1975 , in Brooklyn, New York, becomes a rap singer and actress. Her hardcore, eastcoast, raunchy style of Rap has influenced other female rappers including Trina, Shawnna, Missy Elliot, Remy Ma, Lil' Kia, and Khia. Jones was the first female rapper to ever reach number-one on the Billboard 200, reach the top twenty in the UK, to assess three consecutive Platinum albums, and to have 220,000 copies sold in the first week or more.Kim has released four studio albums and one compilation album Jones has been serving a 366 day prison sentence in a Philadelphia Detention Center since September 19, 2005 after being convicted of lying to a federal grand jury over a 2001 shooting outside a New York radio station. Following her release on Monday July 3, 2006, Lil' Kim will remain under house arrest for 30 days. At the age of nine her parents divorced leaving her at home with her father. The relationship between Jones and her father was frequently negative and at one point ended when Kim attempted to stab him after a physical fight between father and daughter. Jones was purportedly living on the streets when she met the late Christopher Wallace a.k.a. rapper The Notorious B.I.G. who was a key figure in her personal and artistic life particularly when Wallace had gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records.

Leon Spinks, born July 11, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, becomes a heavyweight-boxing champion. He won the Olympic gold medal at the Light Heavyweight division during the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, alongside brother Michael Spinks, who also won a gold medal in those games. Leon Spinks, alongside Michael, Sugar Ray Leonard, Leo Randolph and Howard Davis Jr. were members of what many consider the United States greatest national boxing team ever. While he was still an amateur, he became a member of the United States Marine Corps. Spinks then ranked number one among the world's Heavyweight challengers, made history on February 15 of 1978, by beating an aged and out of shape Muhammad Ali in a 15-round decision in Las Vegas to become the fastest man ever to win the world's Heavyweight crown when he became champion in only his eighth fight.

Michael Spinks, born July 13, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, grows up to become a professional boxer. He is regarded as one of the great Light Heavyweight champions in boxing history, and went on to become the first Light Heavyweight champion to capture the Heavyweight title. His nickname, Jinx, rhymed with his last name, and his right hand also earned a nickname: The Spinks Jinx. His brother, Leon Spinks, beat Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight championship.

Albert Ayler, born July 13, 1936-1970, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, becomes a singer, composer and musician. As a teen Ayler played with such skill that he was known around Cleveland as "Little Bird," after virtuoso saxophonist Charlie Parker, who was nicknamed "Bird". After graduating from high school, Ayler joined the United States Army. After his discharge from the army, Ayler kicked around Los Angeles and Cleveland trying to find work, but his increasingly iconoclastic playing, which had moved away from traditional harmony, was not welcomed by traditionalists. He relocated to in 1962 where his recording career began. Albert Ayler was the most primal of the free jazz musicians of the 1960s. He possessed a deep blistering toneÑachieved by using the stiffest plastic reeds he could find on his tenor saxophoneÑand a broad, pathos-filled vibrato that came right out of church music. His ecstatic music of 1965 and 1966, like "Spirits Rejoice" and "Truth is Marching In" adopted the sound of a Salvation Army brass band, and involved simple, march-like themes which alternated with wild group improvisations and took jazz back to its pre- Louis Armstrong roots.

Assata Olugbala Shakur, born JoAnee Deborah Byron, July 14, 1947, in New York City, becomes a writer who left the country due to allegation involving her level of participation in the Black Panther Party Movement. She escaped form prison in 1979, and some sources indicate she lives in exile, in Cuba. From: African American Registry, an Internet source

Earl Coleman Francis, born July 14, 1935-2002 , in Slab Fork, West Virginia, becomes a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, in 1963. From: African American Registry, an Internet source