Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 - June 12, 1963) was an African American civil rights activist from Mississippi.

Steve LaTreal McNair (born February 14, 1973), nicknamed Air McNair, is an American professional football player who spent 11 years as a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans (formerly Houston Oilers), until he was traded in June 2006 to the Baltimore Ravens.

Iris Kyle is a professional female bodybuilder from the United States

Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was an American writer. He is best known for "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", which he co-wrote in collaboration with Malcolm X, and for his book "Roots: The Saga of an American Family".

Donald Jerome Driver (born February 2, 1975 in Houston, Texas) is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. The Packers chose him in the 1999 NFL Draft with a seventh round selection (213th pick overall) out of Alcorn State University. Donald Driver is the Green Bay Packers' most versatile and agile pass catcher. "Donald is able to play all our positions. He is very explosive, and he's shown plenty of big-play ability", …

Myrlie recalled in Emerge that the simple act of registering to vote often brought disastrous consequences to those brave enough to do it: "Their names would be published in the newspaper with their addresses and phone numbers, and they would be harassed by phone calls, people driving by, throwing rocks, eggs, firebombs.... Or the banks would call in mortgages with no notice. People got fired from their jobs immediately.

Louis Edward Green (born September 23, 1979 in Vicksburg, Mississippi) is a football player. A linebacker who plays for the Denver Broncos, he previously went to Alcorn State University. On February 19, 2007, the Broncos resigned Green to a 3-year, $2.5 million contract with a $300,000 signing bonus.

Leslie Antonio Frazier (born April 3, 1959 in Columbus, Mississippi) was a cornerback/safety in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He is currently the Defensive Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

Alexander O'Neal (born November 14 1953 in Natchez, Mississippi) is an American singer. O'Neal sings in the retro-style of soul when it comes to doing it in both the dance-pop numbers and modern, urban ballads. He is considered to be one of the very best artists that former, fellow "The Time" members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had ever produced for.

Chad Slaughter (born June 4, 1978 in Dallas, Texas) is currently playing offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. He played college football at Alcorn State University.

Ed H. Smith is alderman of the 28th ward in Chicago; he was first elected in 1983.

Roynell Young (born December 1, 1957 in New Orleans, Louisiana), is a former professional American football safety and cornerback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles his entire NFL career from 1980 through 1988. Young was selected by the Eagles from the Alcorn State University in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. In his rookie year he played in Super Bowl XV and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his second season.

Horace Cayton was an American journalist and politician. The son of a slave and a white plantation owner's daughter who went to Seattle, Washington in the late 1800’s and published the "Seattle Republican", a newspaper directed towards white and black readers. At one point this newspaper had the second largest circulation in the city. Horace was born in 1859 on a plantation in Mississippi. After Emancipation, he and his family moved to a farm near Port Gibson, …

Larry Smith (born January 18, 1958 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi) is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'8" forward/center from Alcorn State University, Smith spent 13 seasons (1980-1993) in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Smith received NBA All-Rookie Team Honors in 1981, and would become one of the best rebounders of the 1980's. He had career averages of 9.2 rebounds and 25.9 minutes per game.

Jimmie Giles (born November 8, 1954 in Natchez, Mississippi), was a former American professional football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 238 lbs. tight end from Alcorn State University, Giles played in 13 NFL seasons from 1977-1989. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Giles's career flourished as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the early and mid 1980's.

David Washington (born 1948) is a former American Football linebacker who played for five teams in an eleven year career that lasted from 1970 to 1980 in the National Football League. Washington played college football at Alcorn State University and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He was a one time Pro Bowler in 1976.

Lawrence Pillers (born 1952) is a former American Football defensive end who played for the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in a ten year career that lasted from 1976 to 1985 in the National Football League. Pillers played college football at Alcorn State University and was drafted in the eleven round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Jets. He was a member of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX winning teams.

Jared Samuel Cook is a career coach, journalist, and author of "Silent Rage: The Struggle of Black Men in America." He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. As a journalist, Cook has tackled hard-hitting issues such as the “down low” phenomenon, the Hurricane Katrina fiasco, the possible reinstatement of the federal draft, and the War in Iraq. He has contributed to a number of periodicals, …