1. In Honor of Black History Month...…

2. Famous African-Americans from Mississippi

3. 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.

4. The following are just a few African-Americans from Mississippi that have impacted the world

5. Bo Diddley

6. 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”

7. 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”

8. 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

9. James Earl Jones

10. 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

11. 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

12. B.B. King

13. Nicknamed the “King of the Blues”
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

14. 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

15. Walter Payton

16. 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

17. 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”

18. Charley Pride

19. 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

20. 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

21. Jerry Rice

22. 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

23. 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

24. Jerry Rice
Recently competed in Dancing With The Stars, finishing in 2nd place
Currently lives in San Francisco with his wife and children

25. O
Oprah Winfrey

26. Oprah Winfrey
Born 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, Wisconsin
After being molested and abused, she was sent to a juvenile detention home. She was turned away because it was full.

27. Moved with her father in Nashville at age 13
Moved with her father in Nashville at age 13. He made her read a book every week and do a report.
Attended Tennessee State University
1984 selected to host “AM Chicago”
1985 show’s name was changed to “Oprah Winfrey Show”
Oprah Winfrey

28. Oprah Nominated for an Oscar & Golden Globe for The Color Purple
Owns a production company- Harpo
Named 100 most influential people of the 20th Century by Time magazine
1st African-American Woman to become a billionaire

29. Morgan Freeman

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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