In Honor of Black History Month...…
Famous African-Americans from
Mississippi
There are many African-Americans throughout
history that have contributed their lives to better our lives. Many of them are from our very
on state.
Bo Diddley• Famous Guitar Player• Born in McComb, MS
• Was named Ellas Otha Bates• Raised by his mother’s cousin
• Moved to Chicago at age 7• In the 1950s created his stage
name “Bo Diddley”
Bo Diddley•Known for his own style of music
called the “Bo Diddley Beat”•Has a trademark rectangle
guitar called “The Twang Machine”
•Famous song “Hey Bo Diddley”http://music.msn.com/artist/?artist=16113316&menu=songs&jpp=25
Bo Diddley’s Achievements
• 1 of the founding fathers of Rock & Roll
• 1987 inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• 1996 received Lifetime Achievement Award by Rhythm & Blues Foundation
• 1998 Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
• Born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla
• Raised by his grandparents• Pretended to be mute in school.
Spoke only by writing• At the age of 5 his family moved
to Michigan
James Earl Jones
• Famous for his deep, distinctive voice
• Acted in many movies such as The Great White Hope, Coming to America and Roots II.
• Was the voice of King Mufasa in The Lion King
• Was the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars
B.B. King
B.B. King• World famous musician
• Known for being one of the greatest blues guitarist of the
20th century• “The Thrill Is Gone”
• Nicknamed the “King of the Blues”songs
B.B. King• Born Riley B. King in 1925 in Itta
Bena• Was sent to live with his
grandmother in Kilmichael after his mother left his father.
• Began playing music in his church• Moved to Memphis in 1946
•Nicknamed his famous guitar Lucille
Walter Payton
Walter Payton•Played in NFL from 1975-1987 for Chicago Bears
•Career Stats: 110 TDs, 16,726 rushing yds
•Position: halfback •9 time Pro-Bowler•2 time NFL Player of the Year•1985 SuperBowl XX winners-the Bears
Walter Payton•Born July 25, 1954 in Columbia, MS•Died November 1, 1999•Raised in MS and attended Jackson
State University•Heisman Nominee•1st round draft, 4th pick•1975 finihsed 2nd on Soul Train•Motto: “Never die easy”
Charley Pride
Charley Pride• Born & raised on a farm in Sledge,
MS• Taught himself to play guitar at the
age of 14.• In the 1950s played baseball with
Negro American League’s Memphis Red Sox
• Today resides in Dallas, Texas and works out with the Texas Rangers
Charley Pride• Became a famous country music singer• “Kiss An Angel Good Morning”• RCA Record’s 2nd all time in sales; Elvis is
1st
• CMA Entertainer of the Year 1971• Top Male Vocalist 1971 & 1972• 1st African-American to join the Grand Ole
Opry• 1999 received start on Hollywood Walk of
Fame• 2000 inducted into Country Music Hall of
Fame Songs
Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice•Born the son of a brick layer in Crawford MS
•Learned to catch by his brother throwing him bricks while helping their father
•Attended MS Valley State University•Was named All American and Ninth in Heisman Trophy ballots
Jerry Rice• NFL Wide Receiver
• San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle• 1985 Rookie of the Year
• Regular Season Record: 1549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yds,
208 TDs• 13 Pro Bowls, 1995 Pro Bowl MVP
• 1988 SuperBowl MVP
Jerry Rice•Recently competed in Dancing With The Stars, finishing in 2nd place
•Currently lives in San Francisco with his wife and children
Oprah Winfrey
O
Oprah WinfreyBorn in Kosciusko, MS where she lived
with her grandmother Learned to read aloud and perform
recitations at the age of 3 From ages 6-13 she lived with her
mother in Milwaukee, WisconsinAfter being molested and abused, she
was sent to a juvenile detention home. She was turned away because it was
full.
Oprah Winfrey
Moved with her father in Nashville at age 13. He made her read a book
every week and do a report.Attended Tennessee State University1984 selected to host “AM Chicago”1985 show’s name was changed to
“Oprah Winfrey Show”
OprahNominated for an Oscar & Golden Globe for The Color Purple
Owns a production company- HarpoNamed 100 most influential people of the 20th Century by Time magazine
1st African-American Woman to become a billionaire
Morgan Freem
an
Morgan Freeman Award-winning actor
Born June 1, 1937 in Memphis, TN As an infant, moved to his grandmother’s
in Charleston, MS Later moved to Greenville, MS & Chicago,
IL Age 8 played lead role in school play; age
12 won statewide drama competition 1955-Joined the Airforce
Morgan Freeman Moved to LA to pursue acting In 1970’s performed on tv’s The
Electric Company Movies: Driving Miss Daisy, The
Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Narrorated March of the Penguins
Morgan Freeman Won Oscar for Best Supporting Actor,
nominated for Oscar & Golden Globe 2003 Received a star on Hollywood’s
Walk of Fame Hollywood Film Fest’s Oustanding
Achievement in Acting Currently lives in Charleston & co-ownes Madidi restaurant & GroundZero
nightclub in Clarksdale
