Paul robeson was the son of a slave who was born and grew up in Princeton NJ. He was extremely smart, so much so that he applied and entered Rutgers University in New Brunswick NJ. He lettered in 4 sports and was All American in football. He attended church and it was here that his vocal skills were recognized. He graduated and was off to broadway! Quite a guy.
Until he went Red in his last years.
If I’m not mistaken, he also joined the Communist Party and may have defected to the Soviet Union.