Black History Month is a time to reflect, honor, and celebrate the impact of African Americans throughout history. In Winston-Salem, countless trailblazers have left their mark—whether in civil rights, arts, sports, or culture. Some names may be familiar, others unexpected, but each has shaped the city’s legacy and reputation in their way. While this list isn’t comprehensive, it highlights 23 noteworthy individuals with local ties whose influence continues to be reasonate today.

The “5” Royales
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, this homegrown R&B quintet helped shape the sound of early rock and soul, inspiring legends like James Brown and Eric Clapton. Originally the gospel group Royal Sons, they transitioned to R&B, scoring No. 1 hits in 1953 with “Help Me Somebody” and “Baby Don’t Do It.” Their song “Think” became a James Brown staple, while “Dedicated to the One I Love” gained fame through The Shirelles and The Mamas & the Papas. These days, a 20-foot mural at Trade and 8th streets is one of several local salutes to these musical pioneers.

• “Big House” Gaines: Legendary Winston-Salem State Coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines left an indelible mark on college basketball, retiring from WSSU with 828 career wins—then the second most in NCAA history. His five-decade career at WSSU included a number of seminal moments — but the biggest came in 1967, when he led the Rams to an NCAA title, making WSSU the first HBCU to win an NCAA title. In 1982, he became the first Black coach inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy. Today, his name endures at the WSSU Athletic Complex and Hall of Fame, both named in his honor. (See a photo of Gaines here.)

• George Black: George Black, a master brickmaker, literally laid Winston-Salem’s foundation. Born to former slaves, he arrived in 1889 at age 10 and learned the craft at Hitchcock Brickyard. In the 1920s, he launched his own operation, producing durable, handmade Colonial-style bricks from Carolina red clay. His work was so prized that R.J. Reynolds reportedly ordered over a million. His legacy endures—not only in thousands of bricks found in Old Salem and other buildings—but also in a bronze statue at 2nd and Chestnut downtown. (See it here.)

• Lawrence Joel: Many know Winston-Salem’s Lawrence Joel Coliseum, but fewer know the hero behind its name. In short, Joel is Forsyth County’s only Medal of Honor recipient, the nation’s highest military honor. He received the distinction in 1965 while serving as an Army medic in Vietnam. Despite being wounded, he treated fellow soldiers for over 24 hours during a brutal ambush, saving countless lives. His legacy lives on in military clinics bearing his name and in American military history. Joel passed away on February 4, 1984, in his hometown, leaving an enduring legacy of heroism. (See headshot of Lawrence Joel in uniform here.)

• Larry Leon Hamlin: Larry Leon Hamlin transformed Winston-Salem into “Black Theatre Holy Ground” by founding the International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF) in 1989, a biennial event uniting Black theatre companies worldwide. A decade earlier, he established the NC Black Repertory Company, the state’s first professional Black theatre troupe. His visionary leadership and signature phrase, “Marvtastic” enriched the cultural landscape, inspiring unity and pride. After his passing in 2007, his wife, Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin (a trailblazer in her own right), carried his legacy as IBTF’s producer until her death in 2022. Their impact endures in the festival’s new logo, which features their profiles in tribute. Today, IBTF continues to thrive with the next festival set for summer 2026. (See a portrait of the Hamlins here.)

• Maya Angelou: Celebrated poet, author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is a household name, best known for writing “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” delivered at President Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration. In 1982, she became a professor of American studies at Wake Forest University, a position she held for over three decades. Making the city her home, she frequently hosted students at her Buena Vista-area home. Her legacy endures through a number of institutions bearing her name throughout the city, including the Maya Angelou Women’s Health at Forsyth Medical Center. (See Maya Angelou's portrait here.)

• Peter Oliver: Breaking ground in June 2025, the Peter Oliver Pavilion will be a dynamic public green space and art gallery honoring Peter Oliver—a former slave who became a master craftsman and symbol of resilience. Born into slavery in 1766, Oliver was rented out as a laborer to a Moravian man in Bethania in 1786. Under Moravian artisans, he honed his pottery skills, eventually purchasing his freedom in 1800. Now, his legacy will be honored in the 4.1-acre park pavilion bearing his name. It will include art installations, a legacy wall, and interpretive elements sharing Oliver’s story. Fittingly, it’s being built at the intersection of Salem Parkway and Liberty Street—once home to Oliver’s farm. (See a rendering here.)

• Simon Green Atkins: It's hard to sum up the incredible impact Simon G. Atkins had in a few sentences. But if there's one thing to know, it's that he revolutionized education for minorities in Winston-Salem and the Southeast. Born into slavery in 1863, he excelled academically and later became headmaster at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. After a successful tenure, he moved to Winston-Salem in 1892 and founded Slater Industrial Academy, now Winston-Salem State (WSSU). His legacy endures through local landmarks, including WSSU’s Atkins Hall, the S.G. Atkins House (now a university welcome center), and a prominent on-campus sculpture (Seen here).

Jerrod Carmichael
What do Emmy-winning comedy, the Golden Globes, and Saturday Night Live have in common with Winston-Salem? Jerrod Carmichael. A 2005 Glenn High School graduate, he sharpened his comedic voice here long before stepping onto Hollywood’s biggest stages. In 2008, he took a leap of faith, moving to Los Angeles with just a one-way ticket and a dream—a risk that paid off.

He broke through with “Love at the Store,” an HBO special directed by Spike Lee, followed by the Emmy-winning “Rothaniel.” He later created and starred in “The Carmichael Show,” an NBC sitcom inspired by his upbringing in Winston-Salem, and wrote and produced for projects including “On the Count of Three,” his directorial debut. His rise to superstardom peaked in 2023 when he hosted the Golden Globes, commanding the stage with his signature wit and fearless honesty.

• 9th Wonder is a Grammy-winning music producer born and raised in Winston-Salem. 9th Wonder, whose real name is Patrick Douthit, has collaborated with superstars ranging from Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar to Jay-Z. Beyond production, he has taught hip-hop history at institutions like Wake Forest and Duke University. A mural honoring him stands in downtown Winston-Salem, and in 2019, he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

• Angela Bassett, an award-winning actress, was born in Winston-Salem in 1958. She lived here with her aunt and grandmother until age five, then continued to spend her summers in the city through high school. Bassett has often credited her time in Winston-Salem as a formative influence on her career, helping her earn two Golden Globes (among other awards).

• Anthony Mackie burst onto the acting scene in 2002 alongside Eminem in “8 Mile.” Yet it was only a few years before his breakout that he was in Winston-Salem, where he was a standout in UNCSA's drama program. He's since earned praise for films like “The Hurt Locker” and “The Hate U Give." However, he's best known as Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, in the Marvel Universe. In early 2025 he'll star in the blockbuster "Captain America: Brave New World," taking on the lead role.

• B.o.B, a Grammy-nominated rapper and producer, was born in Winston-Salem as Bobby Ray Simmons. He spent his early years here before moving to Atlanta and striking it big in the music world, rising to fame in 2010 with Billboard-topping hits such as “Airplanes” and “Nothin’ on You” (featuring Bruno Mars)

• Jada Pinkett Smith was a drama student at UNCSA in the early 1990s before ascending to Hollywood stardom. The Baltimore native rose to fame with roles in “The Matrix” series and “The Nutty Professor,” as well as co-host of “Red Table Talk.”

• Nia Imani Franklin, crowned Miss America in 2019, has evolved into a distinguished composer, conductor, and actress. The Winston-Salem native graduated from North Davidson High School and later earned a master's degree from UNCSA. Now living in New York, she regularly returns home and performs alongside the Winston-Salem Symphony.

• Paul Tazewell made history at the 2025 Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his dazzling work on "Wicked." No stranger to accolades, he also won a Tony Award in 2016 for his work in the Broadway hit "Hamilton" and has an Emmy Award as well. Tazewell, who graduated from UNCSA's Design & Production school in 1986, often returns to campus for speaking engagements, including the 2025 commencement address.

SPORT STARS & STANDOUTS

Chris Paul
Long before becoming one of the NBA’s greatest point guards, Chris Paul was already a local legend. A standout at West Forsyth High School, he led Wake Forest to its first-ever No. 1 national ranking before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2005. Now in his 20th season (and first with the San Antonio Spurs), Paul has built a Hall of Fame-worthy career, earning 12 All-Star nods and two Olympic golds. He now ranks 2nd all-time in assists with over 12,000 (behind only John Stockton).

He also remains deeply connected to Winston-Salem through his Chris Paul Family Foundation, which funds local initiatives like the CP3 Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. He's a partial owner of the city's minor league baseball team, the Winston-Salem Dash, and holds basketball camps locally at his D1 Training facility near Hanes Mall. In 2018, he made history by donating $2.5 million to Wake Forest for a new basketball locker room—the largest-ever gift by a WFU alum under 35. In 2022, he returned home to earn his degree from WSSU, his parents’ alma mater.

• Earl “The Pearl” Monroe is an NBA legend and Hall of Famer. But before he was winning NBA titles, he was a star guard at WSSU and helped lead the Rams to the 1967 NCAA Division II title. He earned a teaching degree from WSSU yet opted to pursue his NBA dream, where he became a household name with the New York Knicks as part of the "Rolls Royce Backcourt” with Walt Frazier.

• Josh Howard, a Winston-Salem native, shined at Wake Forest before earning NBA All-Star honors with the Dallas Mavericks. After his playing days, he returned home to coach at Carolina University, continuing to shape the game at the collegiate level.

• Hubert Davis was born and raised in Winston-Salem before becoming a standout on the UNC basketball team. After a 12-year NBA career, he became a commentator before getting into coaching. He made history in 2021 when he was named head coach at UNC, becoming the school’s first-ever Black coach. A year later, he led the Tar Heels to the NCAA title game.

• Muggsy Bogues, known for his 5-foot-3 stature and dazzling playmaking, starred at WFU before a 14-season NBA career, mainly with the Charlotte Hornets. The league’s shortest-ever player became known for beating the odds, later returning to Wake Forest to earn his degree in 2015—nearly three decades after suiting up for the Deacs.

• Stuart Scott, a 1983 graduate of Reynolds High School, helped redefine sports broadcasting with his signature phrases like “Booyah” and “cool as the other side of the pillow.” He joined ESPN in 1993, where he spent over two decades as a trailblazing SportsCenter anchor. Even after a cancer diagnosis in 2007, he continued working until his passing in 2015 at age 49. Recently the press box at Reynolds' new football stadium was named in his honor.

• Stephen A. Smith, one of ESPN’s best-known voices, often credits Winston-Salem for kickstarting his journalism career. Smith was a scholarship basketball player at WSSU before a knee injury ended his hoops career. He found a niche writing for the school paper and Winston-Salem Journal before graduating in 1991. He climbed the newspaper ranks before becoming a NY-based radio host. This led to ESPN appearances — and the rest is history. Smith often returns to campus, broadcasting live on occasion, and has a scholarship established in his honor.

• Tim Duncan, arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history, was a four-year starter at Wake Forest before leading the San Antonio Spurs to multiple NBA championships. A two-time NBA MVP and Hall of Famer, Duncan’s dominant presence and leadership defined an era of basketball.

Looking for more ways to celebrate Black History Month in Winston-Salem? Check out our Guide to Black History Month, which details events, attractions, tours, public art, and more you can enjoy this month and beyond.

A FINAL WORD: The list above isn’t meant to be comprehensive (and we're certain we left a few notable figures out). However, we feel these 23 figures shine a light on the talent and influence coming out of the city. The names included are listed alphabetically by first name, with a few exceptions, within their categories.