| Summary: | Music composer and nonprofit chief executive Rickey Payton was born June 16, 1959 in Washington, D.C. A musical prodigy at Raymond Elementary School and Lincoln Junior High School, he composed music for NBC's The Sunshine Store in 1972. At Cardoza High School, Payton scored the Emmy Award winning documentary New Cotton Club Review. Graduating in 1977, he attended Howard University, majoring in music. Performing in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, his song Let's Build a Bridge All Across America was featured at President Bill Clinton's 1996 inauguration. He was artistic director of the Urban Nation H.I.P. - H.O.P. (Hope, Integrity, Power - Helping Our People) Choir, and co-founded Urban Nation, Inc. with Sheila Crump in 1997, In 1998, Payton was featured in the film, City at Peace. He served as minister of music for New Bethel Church of God in Christ and also taught choral music at Sidwell Friends School.
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