Preeminent Black Authors
This author wrote The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved.
Who is Toni Morrison?
"Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
Who is Martin Luther King, Jr?
This 22 year-old is a gymnast with a total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. She is now the most decorated American gymnast and has two gymnastic moves named after her.
Who is Simone Biles?
In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court denied citizenship and other basic rights to all Black people.
What is Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856)?
In 1821, this inventor became the first Black person to receive a patent in the U.S. He invented an early method of dry cleaning called dry scouring.
Who is Thomas L. Jennings?
This author wrote Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni's Room and If Beale Street Could Talk.
Who is James Baldwin?
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
Who is Frederick Douglass?
This high school senior and entrepreneur started his own handmade bow and necktie business when he was just 12 years old. In 2017, at the age of 15, Mo's Bows signed a licensing contract with the NBA.
Who is Moziah "Mo" Bridges?
In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that racially segregated accommodations and facilities were not illegal based on the doctrine of "separate but equal."
What is Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?
In 1881, this inventor created the carbon light bulb filament to create longer-lasting light bulbs.
Who is Lewis Latimer?
This author wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, And Still I Rise and Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now.
Who is Maya Angelou?
"I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.”
Who is Muhammad Ali?
This 19-year old is an actress, model, and activist. She gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson on the sitcom Black-ish and its spin-off series Grown-ish. She graduated from high school in 2018 and was accepted to Harvard University.
Who is Yara Shahidi?
In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional.
What is Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
In 1905, this inventor created a pomade formula specifically for Black hair and eventually became the first Black, female millionaire and the wealthiest self-made woman in the U.S.
Who is Madame C.J. Walker?
This author wrote Native Son and Black Boy.
Who is Richard Wright?
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
Who is Barack Obama?
This 21-year old is a self-made millionaire and is the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation. This young entrepreneur taught himself web design and then started his IT consulting company in middle school.
Who is Jaylen Bledsoe?
In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that state laws prohibiting interracial marriages were unconstitutional.
What is Loving v. Virginia (1967)?
In 1923, this inventor designed the three-light traffic light that we use today!
Who is Garrett Morgan?
This author wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Who is Zora Neale Hurston?
"Won't it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history."
Who is Maya Angelou?
This climate activist is a freshman at Howard University. She advocates for more environmentally responsible practices on campus, including reducing plastic consumption and negotiating free public transportation for students.
Who is Elsa Mengistu?
In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a public university could take race into account as a factor in admissions decisions.
What is University of California Regents v. Bakke (1978)?
In 1969, this inventor's patent for a closed-circuit television security system was approved. This invention was the precursor to the home security systems that are used now.
Who is Marie Van Brittan Brown?