Author: LIT 97.1

Richard Pryor was a class clown in school and a community theater actor in his teens. He became a successful stand-up comedian, television writer and movie actor, starring in films like Stir Crazy and Greased Lightning. Richard Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 but continued to perform for several more years. He died […]

Muhammad Ali is universally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Ali became an Olympic gold medalist and the world heavyweight boxing champion. Following his suspension for refusing military service, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title 2 more times. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Ali devoted much of his time to philanthropy, earning […]

Michael Jackson was a best-selling singer, songwriter and dancer. As a child, he became the lead singer of the Jackson 5. He went on to a solo career of astonishing worldwide success, delivering #1 hits from the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. He died in 2009 at age 50 of a drug overdose […]

Tupac Shakur was a rapper and actor who came to embody 90’s gangsta-rap, and who in death became an icon symbolizing noble struggle. He has sold 75 million albums to date, making him one of the top-selling artists of all time. A sensitive, precociously talented and troubled soul, Tupac was gunned down in Las Vegas […]

Stevie Wonder made his recording debut with 60’s hits like “Fingertips, Pt. 2,” “I Was Made to Love Her” and “My Cherie Amour.” Over the next decade, Stevie had an array of #1 songs on the pop and R&B charts, including “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Higher Ground.” Stevie continued to […]

Morgan Freeman joined the Air Force after high school to become a fighter pilot. He later realized it wasn’t what he’d wanted and thus, began his acting career. After years of small parts and limited success, he began to land big roles and win critical and popular acclaim. He’s now one of Hollywood’s most respected […]

John Lewis grew up in an era of racial segregation. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., he joined the burgeoning civil rights movement. John Lewis was a Freedom Rider, spoke at 1963’s March on Washington and led demonstrations for social justice. He was elected to Congress in 1986 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom […]

Magic Johnson was one of professional basketball’s best players for 13 years. He retired from the L.A. Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Magic has since built up a business empire, which includes real estate holdings, Starbucks franchises, movie theaters and shares of professional […]

Prince’s early music career saw the release of Prince, Dirty Mind and Controversy, which drew attention for their fusion of religious and sexual themes. He then released 1999 and Purple Rain, cementing his superstar status with #1 hits like “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” and 7 Grammy awards. Prince died on April 21, […]

Halle Berry is an acclaimed actress and former beauty queen. For her performance in Monster’s Ball, she became the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for best actress. She has also enjoyed prominent roles in Jungle Fever, X-Men and its sequels, Swordfish, Die Another Day, Gothika, Cloud Atlas and Kidnap.