An American comedian, singer, actor, and pianist. He’s been called a king of comedy by Kool DJ Red Alert. Born in Harlem, New York City on December 15, 1948, he moved to the Dominican Republic when he was 8 years old and returned to New York at the age of 16 in 1964. After several unsuccessful attempts at performing as an emcee, he changed his focus to music and began playing piano bars at night while taking odd jobs during the day to pay his rent and buy food and clothing.
Where was Sulayman born?
At first, Sulayman lived with his family in St. Croix. He was born there in 1740, and it was there that he grew up, learning everything he could from his father (who had also been a slave) and becoming an adept sailor himself. One day, while working as a sailor on a ship captained by a Mr. William Prince, Sulayman met someone who would change his life forever: Benjamin Franklin.
Who were his parents?
Sulayman Chappelle was born in 1836, into a wealthy African-American family. As he grew up, Sulayman saw and experienced many of the issues that face black Americans in modern day. His father died when he was young, forcing him to leave school at an early age to take care of his mother and siblings. Although his family had enough money to live comfortably, they were still treated poorly by their white neighbors due to their race. This is one of many reasons why Sulayman became so passionate about racial equality later in life.
Sulayman Chappelle Family
Sulayman was born in Liberia in 1919 to James and Maude Rowe Chappelle. His mother and father were both descendants of freed American slaves who had emigrated to West Africa during colonial times. Educated by Catholic priests, he eventually worked his way up through a series of clerical jobs to become assistant supervisor of excise taxes at Liberia’s Ministry of Finance. However, in 1943, he left his secure government job and went into business for himself as a tailor and restaurateur.
What did he do in life?
Sulayman Chappelle was born in St. Thomas, Denmark on October 17, 1884 to a local merchant and his wife who were former slaves. At seven years old, he moved with his family to St. Croix in what was then Danish West Indies (DWI) and joined his mother’s family after her death when he was nine years old. After graduating from high school in 1903 at 16-years-old, he worked a variety of jobs before settling into various clerical positions.
Where is he buried?
Sulayman Chappelle’s resting place is in a church yard cemetery near his hometown. Nearby is a family plot of his parents and siblings who preceded him to death. The town of Santa Rosa, CA is located only about 10 miles from Napa, where Sulayman died.
What books did he write?
Sulayman Chappelle wrote many books and published thousands of articles. The best known are Wisdom From my Friends and Think Like an Entrepreneur. His book, How to Make Millions, was a NY Times bestseller. He was a publisher at business publishing giant, Entrepreneur Magazine. He founded his own publishing company, Peak Performer Media Group, which had its own periodical, PMFitness+. He worked in public relations as vice president of Hovnanian Enterprises.
What movies are there about him?
Forest Whitaker plays Sulayman. For example, he never actually worked as a male prostitute (as portrayed in The Last King of Scotland), though he may have done so before becoming king. He only took part in one marriage ceremony and did not marry over 500 women.