Sports
The 1st African America baseball player
Jackie Robinson
Known as the King of Pop, Albums include Thriller and Bad
Michael Jackson
Agricultural scientist usually associated with the peanut
George Washington Carver
Famous best-selling young adult written about a young girl who witnesses her friend's shooting by a police officer, title inspired by Tupac
The Hate U Give
A vast majority of BLM art is this style, usually found on streets or walls
Graffiti
Famous track runner who won in the 1936 Olympics and shamed Hitler
Jesse Owens
1st African American billionaire, started the BET channel
Bob Johnson
1st African American woman to travel in space
Mae Jemison
Novel depicting the youngest of the Little Rock Nine and her struggles
A Mighty Long Way
The newspaper strip turned PG14 cartoon show by Aaron McGruder that features a woke Huey and a mischievous Riley
The Boondocks
Famous boxer known for his swag and smart talking, famous for phrase float like a butterfly and sting like a bee
Muhammad Ali
First African American animated Disney Princess and the movie title
Tianna from the Princess and the Frog
Famous mathematician whose work helped NASA's space program, recognized in the film Hidden Figures
Katherine Johnson
Who was the inaugural poet for Bill Clinton? Also famous for writing the novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Recently had a Barbie Doll made in her honor
Maya Angelou
Had a painting done to represent her struggles when integrating an elementary school in Louisiana
Ruby Bridges
First African American woman to win the US Open in 1957
Althea Gibson
First African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Artist in 1940
Hattie McDaniel
First African American woman to get her PHD in Chemistry
Marie Maynard Daly
Also known as the Negro National Anthem, it was originally a poem written by James Weldon Johnson
Lift Every Voice and Sing
One of the wealthiest artists during his time, died tragically young, art still used for clothing lines today
Jean-Michel Basquiat
First player in NBA history to be named the NBA All-Star Game MVP, the NBA regular season MVP, and the NBA Finals MVP in the same season.
Willis Reed
1st woman and 1st African American inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Chene Park now is named after her
Aretha Franklin
1st African American to earn a PHD from any American university
Edward Bouchet
Originally from Flint, MI. Wrote the novel Bud, not Buddy a story of a young boy's search for his family as he ventures across Michigan
Christopher Paul Curtis
The first African American artist to gain international acclaim or fame?
Henry Tanner