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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
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Handout
Other

Usps: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song

For Students 9th - 10th
Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gladys Knight (B. 1944)

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the life and career of Motown's leading lady of soul, Gladys Knight. Along with the family music group "the Pips", she had numerous hits that reached the top of R&B and pop music charts.
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Isaac Hayes (B. 1942)

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the life and career of soul musician Isaac Hayes who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best original Song for the "Theme from Shaft."
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Paul Robeson

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS profiles the life of African American actor, athlete, singer, author, and political activist, Paul Robeson. Click on the timeline to see highlights of his often turbulent career.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Gladys Knight and the Pips

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes comprehensive biographical details on soul group Gladys Knight and the Pips, 1996 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Isaac Hayes

For Students 9th - 10th
Read an account of the life and professional career of Oscar winner, Isaac Hayes, who won for his "Theme from Shaft". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Marvin Gaye

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides comprehensive biographical details on soul musician Marvin Gaye, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Marian's Revolution" by Sudipta Bardhan Quallen

For Students 5th - 6th
A learning module that begins with the "Marian's Revolution" by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through...
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cole, Nat "King"

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief encyclopedia entry gives information about Nat "King" Cole, an influential jazz pianist and vocalist.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cooke, Sam (1931 1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
Sam Cooke's influence on music, as the pioneer in cross-over from gospel to rhythm and blues, is described in this encyclopedia entry. His music was important to the African-American identity in the Civil Rights movement.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
Short biography of influential black vocalist Sam Cooke.