February really is that ‘short but mighty’ month. Not only is it Black History Month, but the universe decided that so many of our legends would be born during the very month we set aside to honor Black excellence.
Since 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, it’s only right that we celebrate the numerous influential Black figures, from music legends to athletes, who share a birth month with the celebration itself.
Here are 10 iconic Black figures you (probably) didn’t know were February babies.
On February 1, Langston Hughes was born.
Photo source: Gordon Parks, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in 1901 to Carrie M. Langston and James N. Hughes in Joplin, Missouri. He was one of the leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance, using poetry to capture the beauty, pain, and resilience of Black life in America.
The award-winning poet released his first book of poems, The Weary Blues, in 1926 and was awarded a literary prize for his debut novel, Not Without Laughter, in 1930. He is particularly known for his insightful portrayals of Black life in America from the 1920s to the 1960s and for his engagement with the world of jazz, which influenced his writing.
From novels and short stories to plays and poetry, he created a large body of highly influential work.
Hughes was 65 years old when he died of complications from prostate cancer on May 22, 1967, in New York City. In his memory, his home at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem was designated a landmark, and East 127th Street was renamed “Langston Hughes Place”.
On February 4, Rosa Parks was born.
Photo source: United Press International, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rosa Louise McCauley was born to parents, James and Leona McCauley, in 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. The American civil rights activist’s refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus for white passengers in 1955 sparked the 1955–56 Montgomery bus boycott, which became the spark that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States.
By December 21, 1956, one year and 20 days after her initial arrest, Parks was photographed sitting in the front seat of a bus after her long-fought victory. Though she is often reduced to this single moment, Rosa Parks’ legacy runs much deeper. Long before she refused to give up her seat, she was a trained activist committed to dismantling systemic racism. She died in 2005 after a lifetime of fighting against civil rights injustices.
On February 5, Hank Aaron was born.
Photo source: Aaron Vowels, via Wikimedia Commons
On this day in 1934, the legendary Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, to parents Estalla and Herbert Aaron.
The trailblazing athlete will always be remembered for surpassing batting records set by some of the greatest hitters in the game. He broke Babe Ruth’s legendary home run record of 714 with his own 755, which remained the most home runs of all time until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007.
He was recognized as one of the true greats in Major League Baseball history and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He has since been immortalized by the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park, where a bronze statue of the player stands to honor his illustrious career. He died on January 22, 2021, at the age of 86.
Hank Aaron redefined greatness in baseball and proved that Black excellence doesn’t need to be loud to be legendary.
On February 7, Chris Rock was born.
Photo source: Instagram / chrisrock
In 1966, Julius and Rose Rock welcomed their son, Christopher Julius “Chris” Rock, in Georgetown, South Carolina. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that he is one of our generation’s strongest comedic voices.
From race relations and politics to relationships and class, he knows how to make audiences laugh and think.
With a career spanning more than three decades, he has enjoyed ongoing success in both film and television as a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He has four Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards. Rock is also a New York Times Best-Selling Author.
His work reminds us that humor can be both a survival tool and a mirror to society.
On February 17, Michael Jordan was born.
Photo source: Zach Catanzareti Photo, via Wikimedia Commons
Michael Jordan, the son of Delores and James Jordan, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963. More than a basketball legend, he personified greatness on the court, earning 11 All-NBA selections, 5 MVPs, 6 Finals MVPs, and 6 NBA titles.
Michael Jordan, who crafted a legendary legacy, made “Air Jordan” a global cultural phenomenon and redefined what an athlete could be off the court.
Most experts consider him to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He didn’t just play basketball; he became basketball. And even in retirement, his legacy continues to dominate.
His work ethic, competitiveness, and refusal to settle made him the blueprint for Black excellence, not just in sports but in business and culture.
On February 18, Toni Morrison was born.
Photo source: Books & Books
On this day in 1931, Toni Morrison (born Chloe Anthony Wofford) was born in Lorain, Ohio. Considered one of the greatest contemporary American novelists, she wrote stories specifically for us and forced the world to acknowledge the complexity of Black life.
She is known for her examination of Black experience within the Black community and for her poetic, luminous prose. She received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993, becoming the first Black female writer in history to be honored with the prize. She died in 2019 at the age of 88 from complications of pneumonia.
Toni Morrison, who explored Black identity, memory, love, and trauma, didn’t just write books. She wrote our history, our pain, and our power. Her words gave language to experiences many felt but couldn’t name.
On February 20, Rihanna was born.
Photo source:Instagram / badgalriri
On this day in 1988, Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Barbados and has since become one of the most successful and versatile artists of the 21st century.
From “Pon de Replay” to “Work” to “Umbrella,” Rihanna gave us hit after hit. But she didn’t stop there. She shattered beauty industry norms with the launch of Fenty Beauty. She created makeup for all skin tones, proving that representation is good business. Then came Savage X Fenty, her inclusive lingerie line that celebrates every body type.
From her early days in Barbados to becoming one of the world’s most influential women, Rihanna redefined what it means to be a Black woman in global pop culture. Her journey proves that Black women can dominate music, beauty, fashion, and business, while also reminding us that softness and power can coexist.
On February 21, Nina Simone was born.
Photo source: Fotopersbureau de Boer, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most extraordinary artists of the twentieth century, and an icon of American music, Simone was born as Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina.
The child prodigy, who began playing piano at the age of three, is known for producing dozens of recordings throughout her life and is renowned as “The High Priestess of Soul”. Her legacy as a trailblazing pianist and singer resulted in four Grammy nominations and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2000), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2018), and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2021). Simone received honorary degrees from Amherst College, Malcolm X College, and the Curtis Institute of Music just two days before her death in 2003.
Whether she was singing about love or liberation, Simone’s voice carried the weight of Black pain and resistance. Having faced rejection because she was Black. She took it and turned it into the most soulful, revolutionary voice in music history.
On February 24, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was born.
Photo source:Instagram / floydmayweather
Widely considered the greatest boxer of his era, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was born in 1977 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, into a family of boxers. His father was a former welterweight contender, and his uncles were professional fighters.
Floyd Mayweather, who was undefeated in the ring and unapologetic outside it, mastered both boxing and branding, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in history. His combination of speed, power, and technical prowess made him one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time, and he retired undefeated.
The former professional boxer, who won championships across five weight divisions, changed the business of boxing, showing Black athletes how to own their promotion, their money, and their narrative. He bet on himself and won every single time.
On February 26, Erykah Badu was born.
Photo source: Facebook / Erykah Badu
Born Erica Abi Wright in 1971 in Dallas, Texas, Erykah Badu has been giving us soulful, thought-provoking, and unapologetically Black music ever since.
Her debut album, Baduizm, released in 1997, established her as a significant figure in the music industry. Hailed as the queen of neo-soul, she blends sound, spirituality, and Black womanhood in ways that defy categories. Her artistry is a reminder that being authentically Black is its own kind of genius.
Beyond music, Badu is a certified doula, a third-degree Reiki master, and a certified holistic health practitioner.
She didn’t just make music; she created a whole vibe, picking up five Grammy awards along the way. Known for her thought-provoking lyrics and bold artistic choices, Badu continues to influence today’s rising soul and R&B artists.
