Did You Know?

What is This Guide?

Getting Around

Index

Related Links

Bibliography

AMG All-Music Guide, Web Address - http://www.allmusic.com/

Associated Press/Nando Media, January 20, 1999. "George Rogers' Mural at the University of South Carolina May Soon Be Gone." Web Address -  http://www.sportserver.com

Who's Who Amoung African Americans/1998-99, Detroit: Gale, 1997.

The Augusta Chronicle, July 4, 1999, "Park Dedicated to Hometown Hoop Heroes" by Ward Clayton. Morris Communications, Augusta, Ga.

The Augusta Chronicle, July 11, 1999, "Avery, Moore to be Honored Today by NAACP." Morris Communications, Augusta, Ga.

The Augusta Chronicle, July 24, 1999, "Soul of Woodstock." Morris Communications, Augusta, Ga.

The Augusta Chronicle Applause!, July 23, 1999, "Peabo's Not About to Yell Like Tarzan" by Kent Kimes. Morris Communications, Augusta, Ga.

CBS Sports Line,
Web Address - http://ww2.sportsline.com/u/football/nfl/players/smi507500.htm

Cloyd, Iris and Matney, William C., Jr.. Who's Who Among Black Americans. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1990.

CNN/Sports Illustrated.com
Web Address: http://www.cnnsi.com/football/nfl/players/2350/

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Web Address - http://home.earthlink.net/~dpeneny/lymon.htm

Green, Jonathan. "Jonathan Green Painter Printmaker." Naples, Fl.: Jonathan Green Studios, Inc., 1997.

Hawkins, Walter L. African American Biographies. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1992.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy. Web Address: http://www.promax1.com/heisman/hmt_1982.htm
http://heismanmemorialtrophy.com/1980.html

Igus, Toyomi; Ellis, Veronica Freeman; Patrick, Diane; Wesley, Veroncia Wilson. Book of Black Heroes, Volume 2, Great Women in the Struggle. East Orange, N.J.: Just Us Books, Inc., 1991.

InfoPlease.com
Web Address - http://infoplease.com/ipsa/A0109734.html

Living Legends in Black. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1997.

Smith, Jessie Carney. Black Firsts, 2000 Years of Extraordinary Achievement. .Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1994.

The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Web Address - http://www.tjms.com

Biographies

Arnold, Monica
Birth Place - Born Oct 24, 1980 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Vocalist who has appeared on LL Cool J's Mr. Smith. Recorded a duet with another popular vocalist, Brandy entitled "The Boy is Mine" which is also the name of Monica's second album, released in July 1998. Tidbits - Her platinum singles "Before You Walk Out of My Life" and "Don't Take It Personal (just one of dem days)" debuted in 1995 and were Top Ten hits.

Arrested Development
Formed - 1988 in Atlanta, Ga. by rappers "Speech" (AKA Todd Thomas) and "DJ Headliner" (AKA Timothy Barnwell) who were students at the Art Institute of Atlanta. The group disbanded in1996. Claim to Fame - WonGrammys for Best Rap Album by a Duo or Group and Best New Artist (the first rap act to do so). Named Rolling Stone's Band of the Year. Tidbits - In the late 80's and early 90's performed Rap lyrics  mixed with hip-hop, soul, blues and funk. Their lyrics carried social and political messages. Originally known as Disciples of Lyrical Rebellion and then Secret Society, the group performed gangsta-rap . They switched to more positive, socially conscious music after hearing Public Enemy.  Other group members included: Montsho Eshe,Aerle Taree (Speech's cousin), Rasa Don, Dionne Farris, and  Baba Oje. The group named their first album after the amount of time it took for them to get a record contract: "Three Years, Five Months and Two Days in the Life of..." which included three gold singles that also hit the Top Ten ("Tennessee", "People Everyday", and "Mr. Wendal"). They contributed the song, "Revolution" to Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X." Speech now writes a column for Milwaukee Community Journal (his mother's newspaper) and lectures occassionally.

Avery, William
Birth Place - Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Played for nationally-ranked Duke University in the 1999 NCAA Championship Final. Appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Drafted in the first round of the 1999 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tidbits - Roomed with #1 1999 NBA draft pick Elton Brand at Duke. In 1999 Received the Church Community Image Award for outstanding athletic achievement from the Augusta chapter of the NAACP. Led Westside High School to the 1995 Georgia Class AAA basketball championship. The basketball court where Avery played (Big Oak Park) was renamed Moore-Avery Basketball Court on July 3, 1999. (See also Moore, Ricky). Parents: Terri Simonton and William Avery, Sr.

Bolden, Charles Frank, Jr.
Birth Place - Born August 16, 1946 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Astronaut who has logged 680 hours in space. Tidbits -  Earned B.S.E.E. from U.S. Naval Academy and M.S. from University of Southern California. He is married to Alexis and has 3 children. Parents: His mother is Ethel Bolden and his father (Charles) is deceased.
 

Brown, James
Birth Place - Born in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - 44 Gold Records, 2 Grammy Awards. Known across the world as Soul Brother Number One, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, and  Mr. Dynamite. Tidbits - Plays organ, piano and sings Soul, Funk, and R&B.  Performed with the musical group Famous Flames. His songs include "Please, Please, Please" and "Poppa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud." In the first ten inductees into Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Opening performer at Woodstock '99 in front of approximately 200,000 music fans.

Brown, J. Anthony
Birth Place - Born in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Comedian, actor, writer and entrepreneur who has appeared on Moesha, Oprah, Living Single, Showtime at the Apollo, A&E's Evening At The Improv, and The Rosie O'Donnell Show on VH-1. He's a regular on Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show heard nationwide. Tidbits - Worked as a staff writer on the Arsenio Hall Show as well as in projects for Steve Harvey, Sinbad and Ice-T. Recieved the 1993 NAACP Image Award for community service. Travels the country doing stand up comedy. Known for his saying the phrase: "Watch Out Deh Now!"

Bryson, Peabo
Birth Place - Born Apr 13, 1951 in Greenville, SC. Claim to Fame - Best known for his duets in the Disney films A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) and Beauty and the Beast (a collaboration with Celine Dion). Tidbits - His album "Reaching for the Sky" went gold. The title track was a number six R & B hit. His song  "I'm So Into You" was a number two R&B hit in 1978.A duet with Roberta Flack produced 9 gold albums and songs on U.S. and U.K. Top Ten Lists. Also has made duets with Natalie Cole
("We're the Best of Friends") Melissa Manchester, and Regina Belle.

Childress, Alice
Birth Place - Born October 12, 1920 in Charleston, S.C. Claim to Fame - The first African-American woman to ever have a play (Gold Through the Trees) professionally produced. Tidbits - Graduated from Radcliff Instistute. Had one of her books (A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich) made into a movie and another (Wedding Band) performed on television. A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich was also one of New York Times Book Review's Outstanding Books of the Year in 1973 and an American Library Association Best Young Adult Book in 1975. Her novel Rainbow Jordan won a Coretta Scott King Honor Award and was named one of School Library Journal's Best Books.

Clyburn, James E.
Birth Place - Born July 21, 1940 in Sumter, S.C. Claim to Fame - South Carolina's first black U.S. Congressman in modern times. Serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tidbits - Married to Emily and has 3 daughters. He attended South Carolina State College and Unviversity of South Carolina Law School.

Coachman, Alice
Birth Place - Born in 1926 in Albany, Ga. Claim to Fame - First African-American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal for the high jump. Tidbits - In 7th grade leaped one inch from the world record in the high-jump. In 1944 set a new American record (6.4 seconds) for the 50-meter dash.

Corbin, Tyrone
Birth Place - Born December 31, 1962 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Playing professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits - Earned his B.S. in computer science from DePaul University. Played in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks.

Crawford, Randy
Birth Place - Born February 18, 1952 in Macon, Ga. Claim to Fame - Sang "Street Life" which was included on the soundtrack for Burt Reynolds' film Sharky's Machine. Tidbits - Crawford sang as lead vocalist in a group with Bootsy Collins before touring with George Benson in 1972. She was tabbed Most Outstanding Performer  at the 1980 Tokyo Music Festival. Crawford has experienced success in England, with such singles as  "Knocking on Heaven's Door," "Rainy Night in Georgia," and "Last Night at Danceland."

Dupri, Jermaine
Birth Place - Born on September 23, 1973 in Atlanta, GA. Claim to Fame - Discovered teenage rappers Kris Kross and at age 16 had his own record label, So So Def Recordings. Tidbits - Produced platinum music for Xscape, Da Brat and Kriss Kross. Has written and produced platinum work by The Notorious B.I.G., TLC and Mariah Carey. At age 10, Dupri was able to get on stage and dance with Diana Ross at a show his father coordinated. He has appeared with Herbie Hancock,Cameo, Run-D.M.C., Whodini and Grandmaster Flash. At age 14, he produced and secured a record contract for Silk Tymes Leather. In 1997, Dupri took over the production of Usher's album, "My Way", which sold over two-million copies in the first  three months of its release. In 1998, he returned to performing with the single, "The Party Continues." Dupri (using the name JD) released a debut solo album, Life in 1492, in July 1998.

Eagle, Emira
Birth Place - Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Married to Frankie Lymon and portrayed by Lela Rochon in the movie Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Lymon entered Tidbits - Taught school in Augusta, Ga. Met Frankie Lymon after he moved to Fort Gordon.

Edelman, Marian Wright
Birth Place - Born June 6, 1939 in Bennettsville, S.C. Claim to Fame - Organized the Children's Defense Fund in 1973. Tidbits - Attended Spelman, University of Paris, University of Geneva and Yale Law School. Did Civil Rights work with the NAACP. First black woman admitted to the bar in Mississippi. Married to Benjamin Edelman and has 3 sons.

English, Alex
Birth Place - Born January 5, 1994 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Played professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits - Played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana pacers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Also played in the Italian League. Attended University of South Carolina. Currently works as Director of Player Programs and Services for the NBA Players Association.

Fisburne, Laurence
Birth Place - Born July 30, 1961 in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Actor who has appeared in movies such as "Othello," "Boyz in the Hood," "The Tuskegee Airmen," and "What's Love Got to do With It." Tidbits - Other movie appearances include: "Searching for Bobby Fischer," "Class Action," "King of New York," "Red Head," "Cotton Club," "Nightmare on Elm Street 3," "School Daze," "Apocalypse Now," "Deep Cover," "Higher Learning," "Bad Company," "Just Cause," "Fled," and "Hoodlum."

Gibson, Althea
Birth Place - Born August 25, 1927 in Silver, S.C. Claim to Fame - First African-American to play the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. First African American to win the Wimbledon championship. Tidbits - Earned B.S. from Florida A & M. Won U.S. Open in 1957 and 1958. Also won at Wimbledon in 1958. Won U.S. Women's Singles title at Forest Hills in 1957. Was also a golf champion and a member of the New Jersey Boxing Commission. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

Grant, Harvey
Birth Place - born July 4, 1965 in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Playing professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits - Attended Clemson University, Independence Junior College and University of Oklahoma. Played with Washington Bullets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards. Has a twin brother Horace who also played in the NBA.

Grant, Horace Junior
Birth Place - Born July 4, 1965 in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Playing professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits -  Attended Clemson University. Played with Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic. Has a twin brother Harvey who also played in the NBA.

Green, Jonathan
Birth Place - Born in 1955 in Gardens Corner, S.C. Claim to Fame - A nationally-known artist who expresses in his work the cultural richness of Gullah people. Tidbits - Moved to New York at 15. Spent time in the Air Force. Earned his BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Hearst, Garrison
Birth Place - Born January 04, 1971 in Lincolnton, GA.  Claim to Fame - Professional football player. Finished 3rd in balloting for Heisman Trophy as a player at University of Georgia. Tidbits - Plays running back for the San Francisco 49ers. Spent first three seasons with Arizona and one in Cincinnati. Had two 1,000-yard seasons. NFL Comeback Player Of the Year in 1995. In junior year at Georgia led the nation in touchdowns with 21 and points per game at 11.5. Set SEC single season records with 126 points, 21 touchdowns, 19
 rushing touchdowns, and a 6.8-yard average per carry. Ranks second in University of Georgia school history behind Herschel Walker with 3,232 rushing yards in three seasons, and is third with 35 touchdowns.

Jackson, Jesse
Birth Place - Born October 8, 1941 in Greenville, S.C. Claim to Fame - A pastor and civic leader has freed hostages from foreign lands, sought the presidency of the United States,  founded Operation PUSH, and served as president of National Rainbow Coalition. Tidbits - Earned B.A. from North Carolina A & T. Married to Jacqueline and has 5 children. Active in Civil Rights Movement was with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Memphis Hotel when Dr. King was assasinated.

Jackson, Millie
Birth Place - Born July 15, 1944 in Thomson, Ga. Claim to Fame -
Soul vocalist with a number of hits including "Ask Me What You Want," "My Man, a Sweet Man," and "Hurts So Good." Tidbits - She began singing as a teenager after moving to New Jersey.

Johnson, Larry
Birth Place - Born May 15, 1938 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - A picker and a singer has several albums out. Tidbits - Released "Midnight Hour Blues" in  1995. He is a post-war generation blues artist.

Jordan, Vernon
Birth Place - Born in Atlanta on August 15, 1935. Claim to Fame - An attorney, served as president of National Urban League and executive director of United Negro College Fund. Tidbits - Earned B.A. from DePauw University and law degree from Howard. Honorary degrees from over 55 U.S. colleges and universities.

King, Dexter
Birth Place - Born in 1961 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Son of Martin Luther King, Jr. and chariman and chief executive officer of Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Tidbits - Mother is Coretta Scott King. Attened Morehouse College.

Kitt, Eartha
Birth Place - Born on January 26, 1928 in North, S.C. Claim to Fame - As singer and actress won 1 Grammy Award and was nominated for 2 Tony Awards. Tidbits - Has 1 daughter. Has performed in the U.S., France, Tukey, Greece, Egypt, London and Stockholm.

Knight, Bubba
Birth Place - Born in Atlanta, GA. Claim to Fame - Singer with Gladys Knight and the Pips. Tidbits - Has also produced work for Gladys Knight.

Knight, Gladys
Birth Place - Born on May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Formed Gladys Knight and the Pips (now retired) with her brother and a couple of cousins and had a number one hit "Midnight Train to Georgia." Tidbits - Made the Top Ten in 1961. Some of their popular Motown songs include "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "If I Were Your Woman" and "Neither One of Us," which made number two. Received honorary doctorate from Morris Brown College. Had 1 Gold Album, 1 Platinum, 4 Grammy's, NAACP Image Award and with the Pips received an American Music Award. Has 3 children and was once married to Les Brown.

Lee, Shelton Jackson (Also Known As Spike Lee)
Birth Place - Born March 20, 1957 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Directed a string of films including "She's Gotta Have It," "School Daze," and "Malcolm X." Tidbits - Earned B.A. in 1979 from Morehouse College and M.A. in filmmaking from New York University in 1983. Some of his other films include "Jungle Fever", "Mo Better Blues," Do the Right Thing," "Clockers," "Crooklyn," and "Summer of Sam." He's a well-known fan of the New York Knicks. Has appeared in Nike commercials. Has directed videos for Anita Baker, Miles Davis and Branford Marsalis. Works as an instructor at Harvard University.Married to Tonya Lewis and has 2 children.

Lovett, Winfred "Blue"
Birth Place - Born on November 16, 1943 in Macon, Ga. Claim to Fame -
Singing with and producing for The Manhattans. Tidbits - Has also worked with  Gerald Alston.

McDaniel, Xavier
Birth Place - Born June 4, 1963 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Played professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits - Attended Wichita State University. Played for Seattle Supersonics, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and the New Jersey Nets.

McKinney, Cynthia
Birth Place - Born March 17, 1955 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - First African American woman elected to Congress from Georgia. Tidbits - Served in the Georgia House of Representatives. Has taught at Spelman, Agnes Scott College, and Clark Atlanta University. Serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Earned B.A. from University of Southern California. Did graduate work at Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Moore, Ricky
Birth Place - Born in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Played on 1999 NCAA Championship team - University of Connecticut.  Tidbits - In 1999 Received the Church Community Image Award for outstanding athletic achievement from the Augusta chapter of the NAACP. Led Westside High School to the 1995 Georgia Class AAA basketball championship. The basketball court where Moore played (Big Oak Park) was renamed Moore-Avery Basketball Court on July 3, 1999. (See also Avery, William).

Nixon, Norm
Birth Place - Born October 11, 1955 in Macon, Georgia. Claim to Fame - Played professional basketball in the NBA. Tidbits - Attened Duquesne. Played for the Los Angeles Lakers, San Diego Clippers, and Los Angeles Clippers. Marited to Debbie Allen and has 1 child. Laker's all time leader in steals. Owns restaurant in Georgia and works as a personal manager/sports agent for Nixon-Katz Associates.

Norman, Jessye
Birth Place - Born September 15, 1945 in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Opera singer and winner of 2 Grammy Awards. Tidbits - Graduated cum laude and received honorary doctorate from Howard. Attended Peabody Conservatory and earned Masters in Music from University of MI. Has performed worldwide and has an amphitheater named after her in Augusta.

OutKast
Formed - 1992 in Atlanta, GA. Claim to Fame - Number one single "Player's Ball" on LaFace label. Tidbits -  Group members Andre Benjamin (Dre) and Antwan Patton (Big Boi) attended the same high school in East Point, Ga. Their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, hit the Top 20 in 1994 and was certified platinum. Dre and Big Boi also won Best New Rap Group of the Year at the1995 Source Awards. In August 1996 released a new album ("ATLiens") which hit number two on the charts. From that album the single "Elevators (Me & You)" hit number 12 on the charts and the title track made the Top 40.

Penniman, Richard Wayne (Also Known As Little Richard)
Birth Place - Born in 1935 in Macon, Ga. Claim to Fame - A rock-n-roll great and appeared in the film "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" in 1986. Also appeared in the movie "Why do Fools Fall in Love?" Tidbits - Two of his hits include "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally." Began singing as church soloist at age 14.

Peoples, Dottie
Formed - Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Won 4 Stellar Awards for gospel album "On Time God." Tidbits - Debuted with 2 albums ("Is It Worth It All?" and "Surely God Is Able) in 1991. Nominated for a Stellar Award for Best Female Solor Performance for 1993 album "Live." Her next album, "On Time God", won Vision Award and four Stellar Awards, for Traditional Female Vocalist, Traditional Choir, Album of the Year and Song of the Year (the title track). In 1996 was nominated for the Soul Train and Dove Awards and won another Female Vocalist of the Year. Peoples has  also performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
 

Perry, Gerald
Birth Place - Born October 30, 1960 in Savannah, Ga. Claim to Fame - Professional baseball player. Tidbits - Played for Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Perry, William Anthony (Also Known as "The Refrigerator")
Birth Place - Born December 16, 1962 in Aiken, S.C. Claim to Fame - Played prfoessional football in the NFL. Tidbits - Played as defensive tackle for Orlando, the Chicago Bears, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Played in NFC and NFL championship games following 1985 season.

Robinson, Ray Charles (Also Known As Ray Charles)
Birth Place - Born in Albany, Ga. Claim to Fame - 3 Gold Records, 10 Grammy Awards as blind vocalist and pianist. Tidbits - Also known as an arranger, composer and bandleader. Blinded from glaucoma at age 6, Charles studied composition and learned to play several instruments at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Rucker, Darius
Formed - "Hootie & the Blowfish" formed in 1989 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - Lead vocalist/guitarist for Hootie & the Blowfish. Tidbits - Band was formed at the University of South Carolina and hit the top of the charts in 1995. The name refers to two friends of the band. Released first album ("Cracked Rear View")  in 1994 and its Top Ten single "Hold My Hand" catapulted the album to number one. Other hit singles from the album include "Let Her Cry" and "Only Wanna Be With You." The album went platinum several times. A second album ("Fairweather Johnson") was released in 1996, entered the charts at number one and sold 13 million copies in the U.S.

Sanders, Dori
Birth Place - Born in 1935 in York, S.C. Claim to Fame - Author of Clover which was made into a television movie. Tidbits - Lives and farms peaches in South Carolina. Other books include Her Own Place and Dori Sanders' Country Cooking. Her books have been translated into several different languages, and she has appeared on "The Today Show." She did not write her first book until she was over 50.

Smith, Jermaine
Birth Place -  Born February 3, 1972 in Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Professional football player. Tidbits - Went to Junior College and then on to University of Georgia. Was drafted in 1997 in the 4th round by the Green Bay Packers. Plays defensive tackle.

Sullivan, Louis
Birth Place - Born November 3, 1933 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - A phsyician; first African American cabinet member (Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services) in President George Bush's Adminsitration; first dean and president of Morehouse School of Medicine. Tidbits - Earned B.S. (magna cum laude) from Morehouse College and M.D.  (cum laude) from Boston University. Married to Eva and has 3 children.  Has taught at Harvard Medical School, New Jersey College of Medicine, Boston University, and Morehouse. Co-founded National Association of Minority Medical Educators and founded Association of Minortiy Health Professions. Has published over 70 professional articles.

Swanee Quintet
Formed - Augusta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Performing gospel music for approximately 60 years. Tidbits - Included in a documentary on "The Living Legends of Gospel" hosted by Lou Rawls. Some of their song titles include  - "What Ever It Takes," "Jesust is a Rock," "There is Power,"  and "Dr. Jesus."

Thomas, Clarence
Birth Place - Born June 23, 1948 in Pin Point, Ga.  Claim to Fame - United States Supreme Court Justice. Tidbits - B.A. from Holy Cross College and JD from Yale University Law School. In 1982 was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Appointed by President George Bush to replace Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court. He is married to Virginia and has one child from a previous marriage.

Thompson, Eli (Also Known as Lucky Thompson)
Birth Place - Borm June 16, 1924 in Columbia, S.C. Claim to Fame - One of the first great Soprano saxophonist who played with Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Don Redman and Count Basie. Tidbits - Led a band at the Savoy from 1951-1953 and starred on Miles Davis' Walkin' session in 1954. He lived in France from 1957-1962 and from 1968-1971 and taught at Dartmouth from 1973-1974.

TLC
Formed - Formed in 1991 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - 3 consecutive Top Ten Hits in 1992 and 3 Number One singles in 1994. Tidbits - Comprised of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Rozonda "Chilli"       Thomas, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. R & B producer/singer Pebbles masterminded the trio. Released their first album, "Oooooooh...On the TLC Tip", in 1992. The album had 3 consecutive Top Ten Hits:"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," "What About Your Friends," and "Baby-Baby-Baby."  Their second album, 1994's Crazysexycool, featured three  number one singles and sold over four million copies.

Usher, Raymond (Also Known as "Usher")
Formed - 1979 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - First single ("Think of You") from his debut album reahced gold. Television appearances on "Moesha" and "The Bold and Beautiful." Tidbits - Discovered at a talent show in Atlanta and released his first album ("Usher") in 1994. Recorded a national holiday jingle  for Coca-Cola in 1995. Sang with "Black Men United" for the single "You Will Know," featured on the Jason's Lyric soundtrack. Sang with Monica for a  duet remake of Lattimore's "Let's Straighten It Out."  His other albums include:  "My Way", "My World, My Way" and "Live."

Walker, Alice
Birth Place - Born February 9, 1944 in Eatonton, Ga. Claim to Fame - Won the Pulitzer Prize and an American Book Award for The Color Purple. Tidbits - Was permanently blinded in one eye at age 8 when she was shot in the eye by a BB gun. In high school was valedictorian, queen, and voted most popular girl. Attended Spelman and earned B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College.  Has taught at Jackson State College, Tougaloo College, Wellesley College, Univeristy of Massachusetts, and University of California at Berkeley. The movie version of The Color Purple was nominated for 11 Acadmey Awards.

Walker, Herschel
Birth Place - Born March 3, 1962 in Wrightsville, Ga. Claim to Fame -  1982 Heisman Trophy winner and named College Football Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Tidbits - Attended Johnson County High School. Earbed degree in criminal justice at University of Georgia. Led Georgia to a National Championship and a 3 year record of 32 wins and only 2 losses. Set an NCAA record for rushing in 3 seasons with 5097 yards. Signed after junior year by New Jersey Generals of USFL. Went on to play in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota, Philadelphia and the New York Giants.

Wilkins, Gerald
Birth Place - Born September 11, 1963 in Atlanta, Ga. Claim to Fame - Professional basketball player. Tidbits - Attended Moberly Area Junior College and University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. Played professionally with New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Vancouver Grizzlies, and Orlando Magic. His brother is former Atlanta Hawk Dominique Wilkins.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to South Carolina natives Monroe and Elease Timmons (my parents), Sherrie Murdock and Debra Holmes for their support with this project.

If you know any famous South Carolina and/or Georgia natives who should be included on this page, please e-mail their names to Janet E.T. Martin at: baskid@bellsouth.net