On this day, Gladys Knight—known as the “Empress of Soul”—was born in Atlanta, Georgia. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, she rose to fame as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips, delivering timeless hits such as “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us.” Her powerful voice and enduring influence helped shape the sound of soul and R&B for generations.

Mary Lou Williams, born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs on May 8, 1910, in Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on May 28, 1981, at the age of 71 in Durham, North Carolina. Her death was due to bladder cancer. ?WikiTree

A pioneering jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Williams was renowned for her versatility and innovation, contributing to various jazz styles including swing, bebop, and sacred jazz. Throughout her career, she collaborated with and mentored many prominent musicians such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. ?Encyclopedia Britannica

In her later years, Williams embraced Catholicism, which deeply influenced her music. She composed several religious works, including “Mary Lou’s Mass,” and performed the first jazz mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in 1975. ?National Women’s History Museum

At the time of her passing, Williams was serving as an artist-in-residence at Duke University, where she taught jazz history and led the university’s jazz ensemble. Her funeral was attended by notable figures in the jazz community, including Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Andy Kirk. ?National Women’s History Museum

Mary Lou Williams was laid to rest in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the city where she spent much of her early life and career.

On May 28, 1940, Betty Shabazz—civil rights advocate, educator, and the widow of Malcolm X—was born in Detroit, Michigan. A powerful figure in her own right, she championed education, Black empowerment, and women’s rights. Following Malcolm X’s assassination, she continued his legacy through public speaking, academic work, and community activism.