In honor of Black History Month, the CVA is showcasing some of the region’s most important and influential African-American citizens. In this installment, we take a look at Affrilachian poet Nikky Finney.

Bessie Smith, known as the “Empress of the Blues” was born in Chattanooga sometime between 1894-1900.

She was discovered by Ma Rainey and became a hit on the vaudeville circuit.  Her first recording ” Downhearted Blues” was released in 1924…

Tammy Wynnette, country music’s “Heroine of Heartbreak” was born in 1942 in Itawamba County, Mississippi. Her real name was Virginia Wynette Pugh.

She recorded a string of hits and received two Emmy awards, plus many other honors including a place…

Charles Bronson was born in 1921 as Charles Buchinsky in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania.

He was one of 15 children in a Lithuanian coal mining family and, though he completed high school, worked in the mines himself before serving as a tail…

Howlin’ Wolf” Chester Arthur Burnett ranks near the top in the category of great blues performers. He was born in 1910,in a rural community, White Station, in Northern Mississippi, near the current town of West Point, and he grew up…

Fred McFeely Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1928. He has been the host of the popular PBS children’s show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood for more than three decades.

He has lived in Pennsylvania for most of his 73 years…

Jimmy Stewart, known as “Hollywood’s Everyman” was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania in 1908.

His father ran the town hardware store, and he maintained links to his hometown throughout his life and career. His museum is located there. He earned a…

Gene Kelly was born in 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the third of five children.

His father was a salesman and his mother introduced her children to the arts. They all took dance lessons and for a while the family ran…

Elvis Presley, known as the “King of Rock and Roll”  was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935.

His early musical influences were gospel, pop, and country. His parents moved to Memphis in 1948 where he was exposed to jazz and…

Perry Como was born in 1912 in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, the seventh of thirteen children.

He worked as a singing barber in his hometown until he began touring with a band at the age of 21. His big break came in…