Toni Braxton
|
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on July 08, 2008 FEATURED Content Toni Braxton (born Toni Michelle Braxton on October 7, 1967) is an American singer and actress. Known for her husky alto voice, Braxton has won six Grammy Awards and has sold over forty million records worldwide. Her U.S. number-one hit "Un-Break My Heart" is the second biggest single by a female artist ever. HBCU: Bowie State University Toni Michelle Braxton was born on October 7, in Severn, Maryland, to Michael Braxton, a minister, and his wife, Evelyn. Brought up in a Christian household that prohibited listening to secular music, Toni and her four younger sisters began singing at an early age at their father's church. Over time, Michael and Evelyn Braxton eased their rules, allowing their daughters to watch "Soul Train" and gain exposure to singers like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. Music quickly became a central component in Toni's life and she entered local talent shows while collaborating with her sisters. Following high school, Toni attended Bowie State University where she planned on becoming a music teacher. While filling her car up at a local gas station and singing to herself, Toni caught the ear of producer and songwriter Bill Pettaway. Pettaway was moved by Braxton's husky, lush voice and with his help, Toni landed a record contract with Arista for her and her sisters, who Pettaway envisioned as the female version of The Jackson Five. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
Comments
More From This Author
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Hosts 94th South Central Regional Conference in Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Register Now For This Upcoming Diagnostic Imaging Virtual Info Session and Q&A with Providence on April 16th |
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 90,463 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 37,920 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,251 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 32,489 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
