This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Reggie White, an American professional gridiron football player who was one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the history of the sport. In his 15-year National Football League...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Reverend Ike, an American clergyman born June 1, 1935, Ridgeland, S.C. .

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Rex Stewart, a black American jazz musician unique for playing the cornet, rather than the trumpet, in big bands as well as small groups throughout his career. His mastery of expressive...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Richard Pryor, an American comedian and actor, who was one of the leading comics of the 1970s and '80s. His comedy routines drew on a variety of downtrodden urban characters, rendered with...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Roger Milla, a Cameroonian football (soccer) player, renowned for his impeccable technique and grace under pressure. A forward, he starred on the Cameroon national team that became the...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Roland Burris, an American Democratic politician who was the first African-American elected to statewide office in Illinois. His appointment as U.S. senator (2009-10) to fill the seat...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Ronnie Lott, an American gridiron football player who earned first-team All-Pro honors at all three defensive backfield positions during his standout 14-year National Football League (NFL)...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sammy Price, an American pianist and bandleader, a jazz musician rooted in the old rhythm and blues and boogie-woogie traditions who had a long career as a soloist and accompanist.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an English composer who enjoyed considerable acclaim in the early years of the 20th century.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Samuel David Ferguson, the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Church.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Samuel Freeman Miller, an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1862-90), a leading opponent of efforts to use the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution to protect business...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Savion Glover, an American dancer and choreographer who became known for his unique pounding style of tap dancing, called "hitting." He brought renewed interest in dance, particularly...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Serena Williams, an American tennis player who-along with her sister Venus-revolutionized women's tennis with her powerful style of play, becoming one of the game's most dominant athletes...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sheryl Swoopes, an American basketball player who won three Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (2000, 2002, 2005) and four WNBA titles...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Solomon Burke, an American singer whose success in the early 1960s in merging the gospel style of the African American church with rhythm and blues helped to usher in the soul music era.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sonny Boy Williamson, an American blues vocalist and the first influential harmonica virtuoso, a self-taught player who developed several technical innovations on his instrument.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sonny Stitt, a black American jazz musician, one of the first and most fluent bebop saxophonists.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sonny Terry, an American blues singer and harmonica player who became the touring and recording partner of guitarist Brownie McGhee in 1941.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Spike Lee, an American filmmaker known for his uncompromising, provocative approach to the controversial subject matter.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Susan Rice, an American public official and foreign policy analyst who served as a member of the National Security Council (1993-97), assistant secretary of state for African affairs...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Tavis Smiley, an American talk show host, journalist, and political commentator.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Teddy Pendergrass, an American rhythm-and-blues singer who embodied the smooth, Philly soul sound of the 1970s as lead vocalist for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes before embarking on a...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Ted Radcliffe, an American baseball player who was a pitcher and catcher in the Negro leagues. Radcliffe was known for his strong throwing arm and, later, for his expansive storytelling.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Timbaland, an influential American producer and hip-hop and rhythm-and-blues performer who contributed to the chart-scaling success of a host of recording artists in the early 21st century.