My week goes hard

A little history on my week thanks to AOL Black Voices

January 11, 1971Queen of hip-hop R&B Mary J. Blige was born Mary Jane Blige in the Bronx borough of New York City. According to her official Web site: "There's little, if any, denying that Mary J. Blige is one of the greatest singers of our time. The proof is in the consistent #1 albums and singles, six (6) Grammy awards, seven (7) multi-platinum records and 15-years of love from the public, critics and fellow artists."

January 14, 1940Founding leader of the Civil Rights Movement Julian Bond and politician was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Chairman of the NAACP, Bond is further distinguished as the first black person to be nominated to be Vice President of the United States. He withdrew his name during the 1968 election, feeling that he was too young for this role.

January 15, 1929Legendary leader and civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born Michael Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta. NobelPrize.org states: "At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement."

January 15, 1957Actor and director Mario Van Peebles was born in Mexico City, Mexico, the son of ground-breaking writer-director Melvin Van Peebles and a German actress. In addition to Mario's many achievements in acting and directing, "[i]n 1991, he was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world" (Aaregistry.com).

January 16, 1950Actress, dancer and choreographer was born Deborrah Kaye Allen in Houston, Texas. Allen lived in Mexico as a child, because her mother wanted her children to experience part of their live free of the South's extreme racism.

January 16, 1979
Singer and actress Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn. During her short life, Aaliyah sold 32 million albums world-wide, and garnered five Grammy nominations. She died tragically in 2001.

January 17, 1927
Actress, singer and dancer Eartha Kitt was born on a cotton plantation in North, South Carolina. Kitt's stunning style, unique voice and feline elegance helped her to create a successful international career spanning five decades. Kitt died of colon cancer in 2008.

January 17, 1931Actor James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Jones may most famous for his deep and distinctive voice, which has been featured for the roles of Darth Vader and Mufasa in 'The Lion King' (1994).

January 17, 1942Boxing great Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for fabulous flights of speech, Ali once stated: "If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. Hitch him up!" But on the night of Obama's election, the legend said: "I was filled with emotion as I watched President elect Obama's speech last evening. This is indeed an historic occasion for America and the rest of the world. It is a dream fulfilled for many."