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A’ja Riyadh Wilson (August 8, 1996) is a basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. She played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college, helped lead them to their first NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in 2017, and won the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. She won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women’s basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. She swept all National Player of the Year awards (Wade, AP, Honda, USBWA, Wooden, and Naismith) as the best player in Women’s College basketball. In the 2018 WNBA draft, she was drafted first overall by the Aces.

She won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Olympics. She helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history.

She was born to Roscoe Jr. and Eva Wilson. Her mother ran a court stenography business, while her father played basketball professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. Her older brother Renaldo played professional basketball overseas.

She is a Christian. She grew up in a Christian family, and her grandfather was a minister.

She attended the University of South Carolina, where she majored in Mass Communications. She represented the Gamecocks as a forward in basketball. She completed her Senior year at South Carolina. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Meagan Monique Good (August 8, 1981) is an actress. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film Eve’s Bayou (1997), before landing the role of Nina in Cousin Skeeter (1998–2001). She received further prominence after starring in the films Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Roll Bounce (2005), and Stomp the Yard (2007).

In 2012, she appeared in the ensemble film Think Like a Man. She played Joanna Locasto, the lead character on Deception, and starred in the comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. She has had supporting roles in the films One Missed Call (2008), Saw V (2008), The Unborn (2009), and Shazam! (2019) and returned for the role of Darla Dudley in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).

She was born in the Panorama City neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her mother, Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, worked as Good’s manager into her teens, and her father, Leondis “Leon” Good, is an LAPD police officer. She was raised in Canyon Country, California. She has three siblings, including an older sister and fellow actress La’Myia Good. She began her acting career around the age of four.

She has started her production company, Freedom Bridge Entertainment, with Marlon Olivera and fellow actors Tamara Bass and Ty Hodges.

She is a Christian, considers herself a spiritual person, and has said in numerous interviews that she declines roles that she feels might “disappoint God.” She explained in an interview that Jesus tops her list of heroes, and the last book she read was the Bible.

Countess Danielle Vaughn (August 8, 1978) is an actress, singer, and television personality. She is known for her role as Kim Parker on Moesha and The Parkers and as Alexandria DeWitt on 227.

She was born in Idabel, Oklahoma, to Sandra and Leo Vaughn. She began her performing career at age three, singing at church. At nine, she sang “I’ll Be There” to win the Star Search junior vocalist champion and overall junior champion.

She guest-starred on Thea, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and Roc. She performed in the off-Broadway musical Mama, I Want to Sing! Part 3, she released her first album, Countess, featuring a variety of songs, including dance music and R&B. The album’s lead single, a cover of James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World”, charted in the top 100 of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; the album itself sold 3,000 copies.

She was honored with an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She sang the theme song for The Parkers. She guest-starred on Cuts and Let’s Stay Together.

She began appearing in several reality shows. She appeared in the third season of Celebrity Fit Club. She appeared as a contestant in Celebrity Rap Superstar. She began starring in Hollywood Divas.

Michael Anthony Farr (August 8, 1967) is a former football player who was a wide receiver for four seasons in the NFL, three with the Detroit Lions and one with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins.

He is part of a family full of professional football players. He is the son of former NFL player Mel Farr, the nephew of former AFL and NFL player Miller Farr, and the younger brother of former NFL player Mel Farr, Jr. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity via the Gamma Xi chapter at UCLA.

Mohandas Dewese (August 8, 1962) known by his stage name Kool Moe Dee, is a rapper, songwriter, and actor. Considered one of the forerunners of the new jack swing sound in hip-hop, he gained fame in the 1980s as a member of the pioneering group the Treacherous Three, and for his solo career. He released a total of seven studio albums (five of them solo), with 1994’s Interlude being the last to date.

His fast, aggressive rap style influenced rap figures such as Big Daddy Kane, Beastie Boys, KRS-One, Rakim, Will Smith, N.W.A., Tupac Shakur, Nas, and Jay-Z, among others. Among his most famous songs are “Go See the Doctor”, “Wild Wild West”, and “How Ya Like Me Now”.

He was ranked #33 on About.com’s list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).

Born in Harlem, he attended the State University of New York at Old Westbury, where he received a BA in communications.

One of his first feats was being part of the first major rap battle in history. He used some of his rhymes from “The New Rap Language” and

“Whip It”. He used a little bit of Busy Bee’s style during the battle. The Treacherous Three disbanded. He went solo, releasing a self-titled album that ranked #83 on the Billboard charts. He co-operated with the young producers Teddy Riley and Lavaba Mallison, which contributed to the new jack swing movement that would gain popularity in the years to follow.

Debra Louise Lee (August 8, 1954) is a businesswoman. She was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET, the parent company of Black Entertainment Television. She has served on the boards of directors of several companies/organizations, including the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the Ad Council, and the National Cable Television Association. She is named one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment” by The Hollywood Reporter.

She was born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and grew up in Greensboro. She attended James B. Dudley High School. She graduated from Brown University with a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Asian politics. She went on to earn an MA in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a JD at Harvard Law School, where she was a member of the Board of Student Advisers.

She served as a law clerk to Barrington Parker of the US District Court for the District of Columbia. She joined BET as Vice President of BET’s legal affairs department and general counsel after over five years as an attorney with DC-based Steptoe & Johnson. She has served as BET’s corporate secretary and president and publisher of BET’s publishing division, which published Emerge magazine, YSB magazine, BET Weekend, and Heart & Soul magazine.

She increased the production budget by 50% and looked into incorporating original programming by getting 16 new shows. She has redesigned BET’s mission statement to support families, encourage their dreams, and showcase fresh talent by creating new shows for the network. She created a new entertainment network, CENTRIC, that features new artists, reality shows, and movies.

Her memoir, titled I Am Debra Lee, was published by Legacy Lit.

Louis “Sweet Lou” J. Dunbar (August 8, 1953) is the Director of Player Personnel, a coach, and a former 27–year veteran basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotters.

He played college basketball for the University of Houston Cougars. He averaged 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game during his college career.

He was selected in the 4th round, with the 59th overall pick, by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Draft. He never played in the NBA. He played basketball in Switzerland, with SP Federale. He won the Swiss League championship. He played with SP Federale in the EuroLeague.

After ending his pro club career, he joined the Harlem Globetrotters.

He served as a boys’ basketball coach in the Houston area and conducted private basketball lessons. He has coached at the First Presbyterian School.

Ambassador Eric Michael Bost (August 8, 1953) is the former Ambassador to South Africa. He was sworn in as Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa by President George W. Bush on July 20, 2006, after being confirmed by the Senate on June 29. He presented his credentials to South African President Thabo Mbeki on August 15, 2006. He completed his tour as ambassador on January 20, 2009.

He served as Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the Department of Agriculture from 2001 to 2006 under Ann Veneman. He served as Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Department of Human Services for four years.

As FNCS Under Secretary, he was responsible for the administration of the fifteen USDA nutrition assistance programs with a combined budget of over $58 billion, including the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and the Commodity Distribution Programs.

During his tenure at the Department of Agriculture, he led an expanded initiative to promote improved nutrition and food security in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Tanzania, Swaziland, Mozambique, Uganda, Madagascar, Chile, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Mexico, Israel, Italy, China, and Japan.

Secretary General Lloyd James Austin (August 8, 1953) is the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense. President Joseph Biden nominated him. A former four-star General in the Army, he was born in Mobile and raised in Thomasville, Georgia. His father, Lloyd Austin Sr., persuaded him to enroll in the USMA at West Point. He played rugby and joined the track team.

He was first assigned to be a platoon leader in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. He continued to advance through the ranks and returned to the classroom to earn an MA in counselor education at Auburn University and a business management degree at Webster University. He became Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, and was Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. He served as Chief of the Joint Operations Division (J-3) on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

He was the Assistant Division Commander for the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, and he served a tour in Afghanistan as Commander Combined Joint Task Force-180. He served as the Chief of Staff of the US Central Command and was Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps. He served in Iraq as Commander of Multi-National Corps before becoming Commanding General of all US Forces in Iraq. He worked to reduce and redeploy American military forces in Iraq. He began a yearlong stint as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, managing its daily operations, overseeing a budget of billions of dollars, and handling cases of suicides, mental health issues, and physical injuries arising from US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He concluded his military career as Commander of CENTCOM, receiving many honors and awards. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with Three Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Legion of Merit.

Secretary General Lloyd James Austin (August 8, 1953) is the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense. President Joseph Biden nominated him. A former four-star General in the Army, he was born in Mobile and raised in Thomasville, Georgia. His father, Lloyd Austin Sr., persuaded him to enroll in the USMA at West Point. He played rugby and joined the track team.

He was first assigned to be a platoon leader in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. He continued to advance through the ranks and returned to the classroom to earn an MA in counselor education at Auburn University and a business management degree at Webster University. He became Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, and was Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. He served as Chief of the Joint Operations Division (J-3) on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

He was the Assistant Division Commander for the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, and he served a tour in Afghanistan as Commander Combined Joint Task Force-180. He served as the Chief of Staff of the US Central Command and was Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps. He served in Iraq as Commander of Multi-National Corps before becoming Commanding General of all US Forces in Iraq. He worked to reduce and redeploy American military forces in Iraq. He began a yearlong stint as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, managing its daily operations, overseeing a budget of billions of dollars, and handling cases of suicides, mental health issues, and physical injuries arising from US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He concluded his military career as Commander of CENTCOM, receiving many honors and awards. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with Three Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Legion of Merit.

Jetta “Jedda” Jones (August 8, 1952 - July 29, 2026) a comedian and actress, was born in New Orleans to Audrey Lieteau and Louis J. White. She graduated from Xavier University Preparatory School and received her BA from Tulane University.

Veronica Redd (August 8, 1948) is an actress who played the character of Mamie Johnson on The Young and the Restless. In her first Hollywood acting role and TV series appearance, she played Edie Stokes on The Jeffersons. She was the Professor’s mother on The Parkers.

She appeared in the following shows/films:

Brenda Lee Eager (August 8, 1947) is a soul singer, songwriter, and musical theatre performer who has written and performed several hits, including “Ain’t Understanding Mellow”, “Close to You”, and “Somebody’s Somebody”.

She was born in Mobile and brought up in the small town of Lower Peach Tree, where she began singing in church as a child. She started writing songs and, by the tenth grade, led her vocal group. She first sang professionally at the age of 17 at the King’s Club in Prichard, Alabama.

She relocated to Chicago and, by 1971, was the lead singer in Jerry Butler’s backup group, Peaches. She recorded several singles with Butler, including “Ain’t Understanding Mellow”, which was her biggest chart success, reaching #3 on the Billboard R&B chart and #21 on the Hot 100. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in April 1972. Their duet version of “(They Long to Be) Close to You” reached #6 on the R&B chart and 91 on the pop chart in 1972. She sang regularly in Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Operation Breadbasket Choir in Chicago in the early 1970s.

As a solo singer, she had two minor R&B chart hits, “Good Old Fashioned Lovin’” (Playboy Records, 1975) and “Watch My Body Talk” (Private-I Records, 1984). She worked as a backup singer for such artists as Ray Charles, Mavis Staples, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Graham Nash. She has written songs recorded by Bobby Womack, the Staples Singers, Aretha Franklin, Cliff Richard, Gladys Knight, Shirley Brown, Prince, and others. She released an album, Startin’ Over, in 2000.

Joseph Arrington Jr. (known as Joe Tex; August 8, 1935 – August 13, 1982) was a singer and musician who gained success with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the styles of funk, country, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

He was born in Rogers, Texas to Joseph Arrington and Cherie Sue (Jackson) Arrington. Their grandmother, Mary Richardson, initially raised him and his sister Mary Sue.

Congressman Julian Carey Dixon (August 8, 1934 – December 8, 2000) was a politician from the state of California serving (1979-2000).

He served in the Army. He graduated from California State University, Los Angeles. He was elected to the California State Assembly as a Democrat and served in that body for three terms. He was elected to the House of Representatives. He chaired the rules committee at the 1984 DNC and the ethics probe into Speaker Jim Wright.

The busy 7th Street / Metro Center / Julian Dixon transfer station for the Red Line, Purple Line, Blue Line, and Expo Line in downtown Los Angeles is named after him, with a plaque commemorating his role in securing federal funding that enabled construction of the Metro Rail system. His alma mater, Southwestern University School of Law, opened the Julian C. Dixon Courtroom and Advocacy Center in the former Bullocks Wilshire building. The Culver City branch of the Los Angeles County Library is named in his honor, the Culver City Julian Dixon Library.

The third revised edition of Black Americans in Congress 1870-2007 is dedicated to his memory. Remarks requesting this were made by several of his colleagues on March 21, 2001, on the House floor during consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 43 of the 107th Congress, which ordered the printing of the revised edition.

James John Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was a jump blues singer.

He first attracted attention singing in Calcutta with Teddy Weatherford’s band, which made regular radio broadcasts over the Armed Forces Radio Service during WWII. He made his first records with Jay McShann’s band. He first recorded under his own name, and two years later, with the McShann band, he had his first hit, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” which came to be regarded as his signature tune. He had hits with two more songs closely identified with him—“No Rollin’ Blues” and “Big Fine Girl”—and also with “Failing by Degrees” and “New Orleans Woman”, recorded with the Gene Gilbeaux Orchestra (which included Herman Washington and Don Hill) for Modern Records. These were recorded at a live performance at a “Just Jazz” concert in Pasadena, sponsored by Gene Norman. Another classic composition is “Times Gettin’ Tougher Than Tough”.

He was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, and his mother was an avid piano player. His grandson Ahkello Witherspoon is the starting cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He joined the Merchant Marines. In the 1995 film Georgia, he portrayed Trucker, a traveling, gun-collecting blues singer who has a relationship with the troubled character Sadie, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Rosetta LeNoire (Rosetta Olive Burton; August 8, 1911 – March 17, 2002) was a stage, film, and television actress. She was known to contemporary audiences for her work in television. She had regular roles in the series Gimme a Break! and Amen, and is known for her role as Estelle “Mother” Winslow on Family Matters; she was awarded the National Medal of Arts.

She was born in Harlem, the eldest of 5 children, to Harold Burton, from Dominica, and Nymarie Edith Jacques Helwig, from Jamaica. She suffered from rickets, which her godfather Bill “Bojangles” Robinson helped her overcome by teaching her to dance. Stage theater was her first love, and she performed in Bassa Moona and was cast as a witch in Macbeth. She appeared in The Hot Mikado. She appeared onstage, mostly as a singer and dancer, in I Had a Ball, Bassa Moona, Marching with Jimmy, Janie, Decision, Three’s a Family, Destry Rides Again, and Double Entry (two one-act musicals showcasing Lenoire: “The Bible Salesman”.

She was the voice of Big Bertha in Fritz the Cat.

She championed the cause of racial equity for more than 70 years. She founded the AMAS Repertory Theatre Company. She created an artistic community where members’ skills were recognized regardless of race, creed, color, religion, or national origin. She became a successful and groundbreaking Broadway producer. The Actors’ Equity Association awarded her the first award for helping diversify theatre casting; it was named the Rosetta LeNoire Award.