Roanoke, Virginia is often called the "Star City". Who are famous African-Americans (past and present) with roots in the Valley? The first ones that come to mind for me (KOH) are Booker T. Washington (from Franklin County - legendary world leader), Oliver Hill (Roanoke - late civil rights attorney), Oscar Micheaux (Harlem Renaissance filmmaker), Charles "Big Dog" Thornhill (Roanoke - '60s college football) and Al Holland (Roanoke - major league baseball), but there must be many others before them and since from all throughout the Valley (including the surrounding counties) - and from all professions. We would like to post this so that the world will see our stars! This will be compiled, updated regularly and listed at: http://roanokerelatives.weebly.com/roanoke.html. This list is of all African-Americans from the Valley, not just relatives.
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Let's start with the following top 15 list (but please add or change): Phyllis Hyman, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Randy Crawford, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Dinah Washington, Sade, Sarah Vaughan, Alicia Augello Cook Keys, Stephanie Mills, Patti Austin. Others, past and present? Take a look at this website to start with. |
Keith Orlando Hilton, PhD
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