Black History & Birthday Facts 9/5

Terry Ellis ~ En Vogue — R&B singer, founding member of En Vogue.
Kat Graham — Actress, singer, dancer, producer and humanitarian, best known as Bonnie Bennett on The Vampire Diaries.
Lance Stephenson — Professional basketball player and former NBA guard/forward, best known for his years with the Indiana Pacers.
Thomas Mikal Ford (1964–2016) — Actor and comedian, best known as Tommy Strawn on Martin.
Claudette Colvin (1939–2026) — Civil rights pioneer and activist who refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus at age 15, nine months before Rosa Parks. She later became a key plaintiff/witness in the federal case that helped end bus segregation.

-----------------------------------------------

1859🔹️"Our Nig" by Harriet Wilson, the 1st novel published in the U.S. by a Black woman. It was lost for years until reprinted with a critical essay by Black American scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr in 1983
1899🎶■Joseph Ross patents the Hay Press, used to press hay into dense bales Patent #632,539
1960🥊Muhammad Ali wins Olympic gold in Rome
1972🎶Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway's duet "Where Is The Love?" is certified Gold
1989🎶Young MC released his debut album Stone Cold Rhymin’
2025🎶Ice Cube released the single Before Hip Hop

All of your black history facts come from the book: