Five foot six 190lb Dickerson, was born to Mahala Ashley Dickerson as the youngest of three triplets. He studied music and is an accomplished opera singer in addition to his career in athletics.
Dickerson first entered bodybuilding competition in 1965 by taking third place at that year's Mr. Long Beach competition. He was not only the first African-American Mr. America, but also the oldest winner, at age 43, of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest, which he won in 1983..(WIKIPEDIA.ORG)
