 Bob Child, Associated Press 1945-2005
August Wilson was an American playwright who chronicled the history and experiences of African Americans for theatre. His work delved into the systemic and historical exploitation of African Americans, as well as race relations, identity, migration and racial discrimination. Two of his plays won the Pulitzer Prize for Theatre and two plays won Tony Awards for Best Play. James Earl Jones, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and Samuel L. Jackson have performed his works, and two of his plays have been adapted into film (Fences, 2016 and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, 2020) by Denzel Washington. Click here to view a short film about Wilson's career.
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 1935-2018
Raven Wilkinson was the first African American woman to receive a contract to dance full time with a major ballet company, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo of New York City. She was promoted to soloist in her second season with the company. Raven later worked with the Dutch National Ballet, dancing in Balanchine repertoire and has danced numerous roles in ballets including Gaite Parisienne, Giselle, Harlequinade, Swan Lake, Variations Classiques and Les Sylphides. When she returned to New York, she joined the New York City Opera Ballet dancing until age 50, and continued there as an actor until the company folded. In her later years, she was a cherished mentor to Misty Copeland. Click here to view a short film about Wilkinson's life.  1925-1990
Sammy Davis Jr. heralded her as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He was a dancer, singer, actor and musician. Davis was part of the the Rat Pack, which also included popular entertainers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He is known for finding admiration and adoration of audiences on both sides of the color barrier. Some of his film credits include Oceans 11, Sweet Charity and TAP. Click here to see Davis perform in a scene from Sweet Charity.  1916-2012
Jeni LeGon was an American dancer, dance instructor and actress. She was among the first Black women to establish a solo career in tap dance. Known for wearing pants instead of skirts when performing, LeGon danced in films alongside Fred Astaire, Al Jolson and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. She also danced on Broadway and in a number of renowned clubs and theatres. Click here to see LeGon sing and tap in a scene from "Living in a Great Big Way" from 1935.  1887-1983
James Hubert "Eubie" Blake was an American pianist, lyricist and composer of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, he and collaborator Noble Sissle wrote Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals to be written and directed by African Americans. Click here to see Blake perform his song, "Charleston Rag," composed in 1899.  1895-1952
Hattie McDaniel was an actress and a singer. She was the first Black actress to win an Academy Award for her role in the coveted film, "Gone With The Wind." Her role of Mammy was indeed a caricature of older Black American women. Because of segregation, Hattie wasn't even allowed to attended the film's premiere. View a mini-biography of McDaniel here.  1898-1976
Paul Robeson was a concert artist and stage and film actor who became famous for his cultural accomplishments and political activism. He recorded and released 276 songs and had starring roles in both the stage and film version of Show Boat and Shakespeare's Othello. Learn more about Robeson's life here, why he's heralded as the first "black star" here and watch a newsreel featuring him here. Robeson sings "Ol' Man River" here. |