Performing Arts – Singers
Oriental Opera Company (1892-1897)
The Oriental Opera Company (OOC), established in 1892, was one of the nation’s first all-African American opera and classical music...
Gloria Davy (1931-2012)
Gloria Davy, a rich-voiced (lirico-spinto) soprano who “sang for the sheer joy of singing” had a four decade career as...
Leslie Uggams (1943- )
Leslie Uggams, actress, singer, entertainer, and recording artist, was born in New York City, May 25, 1943 and grew up...
Zadie Smith (1975- )
Zadie Smith, writer and essayist, was born in the London, UK borough of Brent on October 25, 1975. Smith was...
Etta James (1938-2012)
Rhythm and blues (R&B), jazz, and blues singer Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938 in the...
Lillian Randolph (1915-1980)
Lillian Randolph was a 20th Century actress who routinely, yet proudly, presented the role of the black domestic in film...
Johnny Mathis (1935- )
John “Johnny” Royce Mathis, singer, was born in Gilmer, Texas on September 30, 1935, the fourth of seven children born...
Edna Mae Harris (1914-1997)
Actress Edna Mae Harris made a name for herself as a lead in underground films of the 1930s and 1940s,...
Flora Batson (1864-1906)
Flora Batson was an internationally acclaimed concert singer of the nineteenth century whose talent and prestige earned her the title...
