Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress whose extraordinary voice made her one of the most influential recording artists of her generation. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1963, she grew up in a musical family and developed from a gospel singer into an international pop and R&B superstar. Houston’s career changed the sound … Read more
Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, was an African-born writer, sailor, merchant and abolitionist whose life became one of the most important personal accounts of the transatlantic slave trade. His 1789 autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, brought the experiences of enslavement … Read more
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely known as MKO Abiola, was a Nigerian businessman, publisher, philanthropist and politician whose life became closely linked with Nigeria’s struggle for democratic government. Born in Abeokuta in 1937, he rose from a difficult childhood to build a large business empire before entering national politics. Abiola became the presidential candidate of … Read more
Josephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, actress, civil rights activist and member of the French Resistance during the Second World War. Born into poverty in St. Louis, Missouri, she became one of the most famous performers in 1920s Paris and later used her international reputation in the fight against racism and fascism. Baker … Read more
Muhammadu Buhari was a Nigerian military officer, former Head of State and democratically elected president whose career spanned more than five decades of national history. Born in Daura, Katsina State, in 1942, he rose through the Nigerian Army before becoming military Head of State in 1983. Buhari later returned to politics after years away from … Read more
Bertil Ohlin was a Swedish economist, professor and politician who made major contributions to the theory of international trade. Born in 1899, he became one of Sweden’s leading economists during the 20th century. His academic work later influenced how economists understand trade between countries with different resources and economic structures. Ohlin is best known for … Read more
Ashoka was one of the most important rulers in the history of ancient India. Known as Ashoka the Great, he ruled much of the Indian subcontinent during the third century BCE and transformed his approach to kingship after the devastating Kalinga War. As emperor of the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka inherited one of the largest political … Read more
Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, political leader and advocate of nonviolent resistance whose ideas transformed the struggle against British rule. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869, he became one of the most influential figures in India’s independence movement. Gandhi developed the philosophy of satyagraha, which emphasized truth, moral resistance and nonviolent action … Read more
Locksley Edmondson was a Jamaican scholar whose work connected African politics, Caribbean studies, international relations and the African diaspora. He spent much of his career examining race, political development and the relationships between Africa and Black communities across the world. Edmondson became particularly associated with Cornell University, where he helped strengthen Africana Studies as an … Read more
Édouard Balladur was a French statesman who served as Prime Minister from 1993 to 1995 under President François Mitterrand. He also served as Minister of Economy, Finance and Privatisation and became one of the most influential centre-right politicians of the Fifth Republic. Balladur died in Paris on August 31, 2026, at the age of 97. … Read more