Thornton Township High School
Encyclopedia
Thornton Township High School, often simply referred to as Thornton is a public high school founded in 1899. The school is located in Harvey, Illinois
one of the south suburbs
of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools District 205
. It is occasionally confused with the two other similarly named schools in the district: Thornridge High School
and Thornwood High School
.
A predominantly African American
high school, Thornton is perhaps best known for its many alumni who have been successful in both the performing arts and athletics.
By May, 1899, the plans had firmed up to include a two story structure with basement, with an interior to be finished in red oak. Heat would be provided by steam
, with electric fans and an automated clock and signal system. The main floor assembly room was expanded to seat 700. Construction was set to begin in June, with completion in October. The original building, located at 154th Street and Columbia Avenue.
In 1913, Thornton was one of nine schools (and the only south suburban school) invited to found what would become the Suburban League, which mostly consisted of schools like Thornton which had formerly been members of the Cook County High School League.
1928 saw 16 year old Betty Robinson
(between her junior and senior years at the school) not only win the very first Olympic gold medal awarded to a woman in the 100 meters (at the 1928 Summer Olympics
in Amsterdam
), but set a world record which would stand for four years.
With the advent of World War II
, like many high schools, Thornton made changes to accommodate the war effort. Evening classes for adults started in 1942 to begin training people for necessary war jobs. By 1943, the school was open 87 hours each week, and had been converted over almost exclusively to wartime training.
Additions were made to the building in 1912 ($140,000), 1927 ($345,000), and 1937 ($300,000). A third floor was added in 1948. 1949 saw the addition of a new physical education facility, including a natatorium
, wrestling rooms, locker facilities, and class rooms for health classes, in addition to two gyms, one of which could seat 3,500 for basketball games. The new gymnasium was ultimately dedicated in April, 1950.
, though for many years competed in the now defunct South Inter-Conference Association (SICA)
. The teams also compete in state championship series sponsored by the Illinois High School Association
(IHSA). The school colors are purple and white.
The school sponsors interscholastic athletic teams for men and women in basketball
, soccer, track and field
and, cross country
. Men may also compete in baseball
, football
, swimming
& diving
, and wrestling
. Women may compete in cheerleading
, softball
, and volleyball
.
The following athletic teams have finished in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:
Thornton's competitors in the dramatic arts and public speaking have been particularly successful over time. The following groups placed in the top four of their respective state competitions sponsored by the IHSA:
Harvey, Illinois
Harvey is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, near Chicago. The population was 30,000 at the 2000 census.Harvey is bordered by Dixmoor, Riverdale and Blue Island to the north, Posen and Markham to the west, South Holland, Phoenix, and Dolton to the east, and East Hazel Crest to the...
one of the south suburbs
Chicago Southland
The Chicago Southland is the suburban region south and southwest of the City of Chicago, made up of approximately 70 municipalities. This region has been known as the Chicago Southland by the local populace and regional media for about 20 years....
of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools District 205
Thornton Township High Schools District 205
Thornton Township High Schools District 205 is a consolidated high school district based in Harvey, Cook County, Illinois that serves much of Cook County's Thornton Township. The district is located due south of the city of Chicago; the township's northern border matches up with the southern border...
. It is occasionally confused with the two other similarly named schools in the district: Thornridge High School
Thornridge High School
Thornridge High School is a public high school located in Dolton, Illinois. It was built as part of Thornton Township High Schools District 205. It is sometimes confused with the similar sounding schools in the same district: Thornton Township High School and Thornwood High...
and Thornwood High School
Thornwood High School
Thornwood High School is a public high school located in South Holland, Illinois. It was built as part of Thornton Township High Schools District 205.-History:...
.
A predominantly African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
high school, Thornton is perhaps best known for its many alumni who have been successful in both the performing arts and athletics.
History
The site for Thornton Township High School was decided by a special election on May 28, 1898, where Harvey was selected over Dolton by a 1,504 to 1,123 vote; with the estimate of the school's cost being $40,000. Oscar L. Murray was the architect of the building that by October 1898 was now costing $35,000, and had plans that included physical and biological laboratories, a library, gymnasium, a 280 seat assembly room, bicycle, and lunch rooms.By May, 1899, the plans had firmed up to include a two story structure with basement, with an interior to be finished in red oak. Heat would be provided by steam
Steam heating
For articles on Steam heating see:* District heating* Geothermal heating* Heating system* Seattle Steam Company* Steam generator...
, with electric fans and an automated clock and signal system. The main floor assembly room was expanded to seat 700. Construction was set to begin in June, with completion in October. The original building, located at 154th Street and Columbia Avenue.
In 1913, Thornton was one of nine schools (and the only south suburban school) invited to found what would become the Suburban League, which mostly consisted of schools like Thornton which had formerly been members of the Cook County High School League.
1928 saw 16 year old Betty Robinson
Betty Robinson
Elizabeth Robinson , later Elizabeth R. Schwartz was an American athlete and winner of the first Olympic 100 m for women....
(between her junior and senior years at the school) not only win the very first Olympic gold medal awarded to a woman in the 100 meters (at the 1928 Summer Olympics
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
), but set a world record which would stand for four years.
With the advent of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, like many high schools, Thornton made changes to accommodate the war effort. Evening classes for adults started in 1942 to begin training people for necessary war jobs. By 1943, the school was open 87 hours each week, and had been converted over almost exclusively to wartime training.
Additions were made to the building in 1912 ($140,000), 1927 ($345,000), and 1937 ($300,000). A third floor was added in 1948. 1949 saw the addition of a new physical education facility, including a natatorium
Natatorium
A natatorium is a term given for a building containing a swimming pool. In Latin, a cella natatoria was a swimming pool in its own building, although it is sometimes also used to refer to any indoor pool even if not housed in a dedicated building...
, wrestling rooms, locker facilities, and class rooms for health classes, in addition to two gyms, one of which could seat 3,500 for basketball games. The new gymnasium was ultimately dedicated in April, 1950.
Athletics
Thornton's sports teams, which are referred to as the Wildcats, compete in the Southwest Suburban ConferenceSouthwest Suburban Conference
The Southwest Suburban Conference is an athletic and competitive activity conference consisting of public secondary schools located in the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois....
, though for many years competed in the now defunct South Inter-Conference Association (SICA)
SICA (high school sports)
The South Inter-Athletic Association Conference is a former conference on the south side of Chicago and the predecessor of the current South Suburban Conference, Southwest Suburban Conference, and Southland Athletic Conference. At one point it was the largest conference in Illinois. -Former...
. The teams also compete in state championship series sponsored by the Illinois High School Association
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
(IHSA). The school colors are purple and white.
The school sponsors interscholastic athletic teams for men and women in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, soccer, track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
and, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
. Men may also compete in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
& diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
, and wrestling
Scholastic wrestling
Scholastic wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the high school and middle school levels in the United States. This wrestling style is essentially Collegiate wrestling with some slight modifications. It is currently...
. Women may compete in cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, and volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
.
The following athletic teams have finished in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:
- Basketball (boys) – 1932–33, 65–66
- Football – 1990–91
- Wrestling – 1953–54, 54–55, 58–59
Activities
- Band- In 2009 the marching band won 1st place at Rich Central Battle of the Bands,the concert band won a Division I in organizations with a perfect score in sight reading
- Big Brother/ Big Sister
- Cheerleaders- In 2009 traveled to Orlando, Fl and won 2nd place, and also placed their first time and a sate levell competition
- Chess Club- In 2009 had several students to make the state level
- Choral
- Mathletes-2 time Back to Back SICA champions
- National Honor Society
- Peer Mediation
- Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)
- Prom
- Senior Class
- Science Club
- Speech
- Student Council (KIP)
- Thornton Singers
Thornton's competitors in the dramatic arts and public speaking have been particularly successful over time. The following groups placed in the top four of their respective state competitions sponsored by the IHSA:
- DebateDebateDebate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
– 1974–75 - DramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
– 1984–85, 88–89, 90–91, 93–94, 96–97 - Group Interpretation – 1980–81, 82–83, 96–97
- Individual Events – 1987–88, 92–93
Notable alumni
- Jim ArdJim ArdJimmie Lee Ard is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward/center from the University of Cincinnati, Ard began his professional career in 1970 with the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association...
was an NBA player and member of the 1976 NBA Champion1976 NBA FinalsThe 1976 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round for the 1975-76 NBA season.-Background:The Phoenix Suns finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA...
Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. - Lloyd BattsLloyd BattsLloyd Batts is a retired American basketball player.He played collegiately for the University of Cincinnati....
was a basketball player for the University of CincinnatiCincinnati Bearcats men's basketballThe Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently compete in the Big East Conference and are coached by Mick Cronin. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in...
who played one season with the ABAAmerican Basketball AssociationThe American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
Virginia SquiresVirginia SquiresThe Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
. - Michael BoatmanMichael BoatmanMichael Patrick Boatman is an Image Award-nominated American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the ABC drama series China Beach, as New York City mayoral aide Carter Heywood in the ABC sitcom Spin City, and as sports agent Stanley Babson in...
is an actor and writer, perhaps best known for his role on the television series Spin CitySpin CitySpin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike...
. - Lou BoudreauLou BoudreauLouis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
was a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
shortstopShortstopShortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and managerManager (baseball)In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He was elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1970Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1970Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1970 followed the system of annual elections in place since 1968.The Baseball Writers Association of America voted by mail to select from recent major league players andelected Lou Boudreau....
. A copy of his Hall of Fame plaque hangs in Thornton's "Boudreau Room". - The DellsThe DellsThe Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
is a primarily R & B musical group formed in 1952, and continues to perform (Oh, What a NightOh, What a Night (song)"Oh, What a Night" is a song first recorded by the doo-wop group The Dells and released in 1956, originally under the title "Oh What a Nite". The Dells' recording peaked at number four on the R&B singles chart and was released on the Vee Jay Records label. Re-released in 1969, the song was...
). - Suzzanne DouglassSuzzanne DouglassSuzzanne Douglas is an American film, television and stage actress, daughter of Lois Mae and Donald Douglas, Sr....
– Actress - Tom DreesenTom DreesenTom Dreesen is an American stand-up comedian.Dreesen grew up in Harvey, Illinois, south of Chicago. His family was one of the few white families in a largely African American community...
is a comedian, entertainer, and public speaker, best remembered for his appearances on The Tonight ShowThe Tonight ShowThe Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
with Johnny CarsonJohnny CarsonJohn William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
, and as an opening act for Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
. - Melvin ElyMelvin ElyMelvin Anderson Ely is an American professional basketball player who last played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets....
is an NBA player (2002–present); currently playing for the New Orleans Hornets. - Mustapha Farrakhan Jr.Mustapha Farrakhan Jr.Mustapha Farrakhan Jr., also known as Li'l Mu, born in Harvey, Illinois is an American basketball player for the Virginia Cavaliers. He attended Thornton Township High School. He is a grandson of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Khadijah Farrakhan, and the son of Mustapha Farrakhan, a...
basketball player, and member of Nation of Islam - Lupe FiascoLupe FiascoWasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
(Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) is a Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning rapper - Barry GardnerBarry GardnerBarry Allan Gardner is an American football linebacker formerly for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is currently a free agent....
was an NFL linebacker (1999–2005), and was a member of the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXIXSuper Bowl XXXIXSuper Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
. - Jack GoldenJack GoldenJack Danta' Golden is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Oklahoma State....
is an NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who was a member of two teams which appeared in the Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
; the 2000 New York Giants2000 New York Giants seasonThe 2000 New York Giants season was the 76th season for the club in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Preseason:-Regular season:The giants began the 2000 season hoping to get over the hump of coming short the past two seasons....
and 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers seasonThe 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was their most successful season in franchise history. The season began with the team trying to improve on a 9-7 season and did so with a franchise best 12-4 record. It was Jon Gruden's first season as the Buccaneers head coach...
. - Napoleon HarrisNapoleon HarrisNapoleon Bill Harris is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Northwestern and was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2002 NFL Draft....
is an NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
(2002–present); currently playing for the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. - Bill Hayes is an actor and singer, best remembered for his role on the soap operaSoap operaA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, The Days of Our Lives. - Rod HigginsRod HigginsRoderick Dwayne "Rod" Higgins is a retired American professional basketball player who currently serves as president of basketball operations for the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
played in the NBA for 13 years before becoming an executive, currently serving as general managerGeneral managerGeneral manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Charlotte BobcatsCharlotte BobcatsThe Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
. - Norman J. Kansfield President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 1993–2005.
- Antwaan Randle ElAntwaan Randle ElAntwaan Randle El is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He attended Indiana University, after turning down a Major League Baseball draft selection by the Chicago Cubs in 1997...
is an NFL wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
(2002–present); currently playing for the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. - Betty RobinsonBetty RobinsonElizabeth Robinson , later Elizabeth R. Schwartz was an American athlete and winner of the first Olympic 100 m for women....
(class of 1929) is a two–time Olympic gold medalist; winning the first ever gold medal in the women's 100 meter dash at the 1928 Summer Olympics1928 Summer OlympicsThe 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
. She held the world record in the 100 meters for 4 years. Her Olympic gold medal is housed at the school. - Tai StreetsTai StreetsTai Streets is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League . He was selected with the second pick of the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Detroit Lions in 2004. He was the leading receiver for the...
is a former NFL wide receiver (1999–2004). - Willie TaylorWillie TaylorWillie Taylor, , is an American singer and song writer. He is best known as a contestant from MTV's Making the Band 4, where he was chosen by Diddy to be a member and one of the main vocalists of the band Day26 on August 26, 2007.-Early life:Taylor is formerly a member of the Chicago-based group...
- Singer - Danitra VanceDanitra VanceDanitra Vance was an American comedienne and actress best known as a cast member on the NBC sketch show Saturday Night Live during its eleventh season and for work in feature films like Sticky Fingers , Limit Up and Jumpin' at the Boneyard .-Career:Born in Chicago, Vance graduated from nearby...
was an Obie AwardObie AwardThe Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
–winning actress, perhaps best known for her time performing on Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, where she was the first African-American woman to be a regular cast member. - Melvin Van PeeblesMelvin Van PeeblesMelvin "Block" Van Peebles is an American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer.He is most famous for creating the acclaimed film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which heralded a new era of African American focused films...
is a director, producer, actor, and writer (Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss SongSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss SongSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song is a 1971 American independent drama film, written, produced, scored, directed by, and starring Melvin Van Peebles, father of actor Mario Van Peebles . It tells the picaresque story of a poor African American man on his flight from the white authority...
). - Steven WhitehurstSteven WhitehurstSteven Whitehurst is an African American author, poet, and educator. He is a divorced father who currently resides in Calumet City, Illinois.- Biography :...
is an award winning author, poet, essayist, and educator.