Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: George Foreman
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features George Foreman, an American boxer who twice was the world heavyweight champion (1973-74, 1994-95). When Foreman regained the heavyweight title at age 45, he was...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Jack the Rapper
Jack the Rapper (Jack Gibson) helped open the first African-American-owned radio station in the United States, WERD in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1949. Gibson learned about radio while working as a gofer for deejay Al Benson in Chicago. He...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Leon Spinks
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Leon Spinks, an American boxer who won an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and was the world heavyweight champion in 1978. He and Michael Spinks became the first...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Martin Dihigo
This entry features Martin Dihigo, a professional baseball player who became a national hero in his native Cuba. In addition to playing in the Cuban League, Dihigo played in the leagues of the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra
This entry features Sun Ra, a black American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Naomi Ruth Sims
This entry features Naomi Ruth Sims, an American model and business executive born March 30, 1949, Oxford, Miss.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sir Garfield Sobers
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sir Garfield Sobers, a West Indian cricketer, considered by many authorities the most gifted all-around player of all time. As a batsman, he established a record for Test (international)...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sapphire
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sapphire, an American author of fiction and poetry that features unsparing though often empowering depictions of the vicissitudes of African American and bisexual life.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Jam and Lewis
Jam and Lewis's emergence as major record producers was kick-started by Prince's pique. Keyboard player Jimmy Jam (James Harris III) and bassist Terry Lewis played together in local Minneapolis bands while in high school, graduating to...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guru
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Guru, an American rapper born July 17, 1962, Boston, Mass. .
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Huey Smith
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Huey Smith, an American pianist, bandleader, songwriter, and vocalist, a principal figure in the 1950s rock and roll that became known as the New Orleans sound.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: J(ames) Bruce Llewellyn
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features J(ames) Bruce Llewellyn, an American entrepreneur born July 16, 1927, New York, N.Y.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Modern Jazz Quartet (Mjq)
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), an American musical ensemble noted for delicate percussion sonorities, innovations in jazz forms, and consistently high-performance standards sustained over a...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: j.j. Johnson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features J.J. Johnson, an American jazz composer and one of the genre's most influential trombonists.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mo'nique
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Mo'Nique, an American actress, stand-up comedian, and talk-show host known for her bawdy humor and dramatic gravitas.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., an American trial lawyer who gained international prominence with his skillful and controversial defense of O.J. Simpson, a football player and celebrity who was...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Louis Gossett, Jr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Louis Gossett, Jr., an American stage, screen, and television actor. In 1983 Gossett received an Academy Award for best-supporting actor for his portrayal of tough-hearted drill sergeant...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Robert Mc Ferrin, Sr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Robert McFerrin, Sr., an American opera singer who became the first African-American male to solo at the Metropolitan Opera (Met) when he made his 1955 debut as Amonasro in Giuseppe...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Roy Jones, Jr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Roy Jones, Jr., an American boxer who became only the second light heavyweight champion to win a heavyweight title. For several years beginning in the late 1990s, he was widely considered...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sammy Davis, Jr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sammy Davis, Jr., an American singer, dancer, and entertainer.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., an American attorney, civil rights leader, business consultant, and influential power broker. Although he never held political office, Jordan served as a key adviser...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Haki R. Madhubuti
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Haki R. Madhubuti, an African American author, publisher, and teacher.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Howard W. Odum
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Howard W. Odum, an American sociologist who was a specialist in the social problems of the southern United States and a pioneer of sociological education in the South. He worked to replace...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: James E. Clyburn
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features James E. Clyburn, an American politician who served as a Democratic congressman from South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives (from 1993). He was the second African-American and...