Elton Fax (1909-1993)

Elton Fax (1909-1993)

Elton Clay Fax, a prolific African-American cartoonist, author, and illustrator, was born on October 9, 1909, in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents were Mark Oakland Fax, a clerk, and Willie Estelle Fax, a seamstress. Elton’s younger brother, Mark, was a music prodigy...
Isaiah Mays (1858-1925)

Isaiah Mays (1858-1925)

Isaiah Mays, a Buffalo Soldier awarded the Medal of Honor in 1890 for his actions during the Wham Paymaster Robbery, was born as a slave in Carters Bridge, Virginia, on February 16, 1858. Very little is known about his life other than his military service. Although...
Cuba Gooding Jr. (1968-  )

Cuba Gooding Jr. (1968- )

Since his notable role in the critically acclaimed film Boyz N the Hood (1991), Cuba Gooding Jr. has had a major career that has spanned an array of films. His work has included a diverse group of genres, including drama, comedy, action, and war. Gooding’s career has...
Esteban Hotesse (1919-1945)

Esteban Hotesse (1919-1945)

Esteban Hotesse was the only Dominican-born member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, as well as one of the few people born in a Spanish-speaking nation to serve the United Stated during World War II. Hotesse was born on February 11, 1919, in the town of Moca, Dominican...
Michael Morgan (1957-2021)

Michael Morgan (1957-2021)

As a classical music conductor, Michael Morgan was instrumental in bringing his eclectic orchestral leadership style to a diverse audience. Since becoming musical director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony Orchestra in 1990, Morgan became well respected, particularly...