Edmonia Lewis
Edmonia Lewis was born on July 4, 1844 (to September 17, 1907). She was an important American sculptor who gained fame and recognition in the international fine arts world. Mary Ed
Godfrey Sealy
Godfrey Sealy was born on July 3, 1959 (to April 26, 2006). He was an important Trinidadian playwright, director, actor, singer, producer, and a crucial HIV/AIDS and same-gender
Jonathan Capehart
Jonathan Capehart was born on July 2, 1967. He is an esteemed journalist and television personality. He serves on the Washington Post’s editorial board, writes for the Post’s P
Richard Bruce Nugent
Richard Bruce Nugent was born on July 2, 1906 (to May 27, 1987). He was an important contributor to the Harlem Renaissance whose writings, paintings, illustrations and bohemian per
Sylvia Rivera
[Editor’s note: In response to input from our trans community, the following biography (and any applicable bios moving forward) has been edited from the original to remove all re
Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr.
Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr. was born on this day, July 1. He is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Black Equity, the Chair of the Democratic National Com
Orlando Cruz
Photo: The Phenom Cruz (@ElFenomenoCruz) Twitter[/caption] Orlando “El Fenómeno” Cruz was born on July 1, 1981. He is a Puerto Rican featherweight boxer who has amassed 25 wi
Dr. Sharon E. Smith
Dr. Sharon E. Smith (“Vijayatara”) was born on July 1, 1961 (to March 13, 2011). She was a respected British researcher, academic, author, teacher, and Buddhist practitioner. S
Paris Barclay
Paris Barclay was born on June 30, 1956. He is two-time Emmy Award-winning American television director and producer, and was elected by his peers to serve as the first African-Ame
Jimmy Daniels
Photo by George Platt Lynes Jimmie Daniels died on June 29, 1984. He was an acclaimed cabaret performer, actor, model, nightclub host and owner. Daniels’ music primarily included