Inventors
This slave-turned botanist devised over 100 products using one major crop — the peanut — including dyes, plastics and gasoline.
George Washington Carver
This basketball player is regarded as one of the best ever and has became recognizable just by an iconic pose
Michael Jordan
This freedom rider refused to give up their seat at the front of the bus and led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks
This lifetime musician changed from being a family act to a solo one, becoming one of the most notable figures through their dance, voice, style and controversy
Michael Jackson
This former supermodel advocated for body positivity and self love during her stint as a TV Hostess
Tyra Banks
This inventor created the smoke hood for firefighters to use to filter smoke out of their breathing air. It would later be modified to help soldiers during gas attacks in WWI and WWII
Garrett Morgan
This Heavyweight Champion became a true cultural icon when he refused to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and was forced to give up his profession in his prime. "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an," he said at the time. "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong... They never called me n***er."
Muhammad Ali
The most prolific advocate for the equal rights of African Americans who followed the method of peaceful protests and would later be assassinated
This rapper/actor is famous for starring in classics such as Bad Boys and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. His Wife, son, and daughter, are all respected artists in their own right as well
Will Smith
This talk show host is popular not only for her guests, but for giving elaborate gifts to their audience members as well
Oprah Winfrey
Famed for the development of pacemakers, IBM computers, burglar-proof cash register, chemical air filters, and an electronic resistor used in controlled missiles and other devices.
Otis Boykin
Won 4 Gold Medals at "Hitler's Olympics" in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games for Track and Field and squashed Hitler's notion that the Aryan Race was superior
Jesse Owens
The first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis in 1960
Ruby Bridges
This Rock singer and songwriter is regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in history
This popular drag queen has advocated not only for the rights of African Americans, but for the LGBTQ Community as well
RuPaul
He was a farmer, mathematician, astronomer, land surveyor, and the subject of a Stevie Wonder song that invented the first clock in America
Benjamin Banneker
These sisters have become the most prominent figures within the tennis community and the entire athletic world
Venus and Serena Williams
Political organization founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in October 1966 in Oakland, California. Represented Anti-fascism, Anti-imperialism, Anti-racism, Black nationalism (later renounced), Maoism, Marxism–Leninism, Revolutionary socialism
The Black Panther Party
This actor is known for his silky voice and perpetually being old
Morgan Freeman
This Radio show host, game show host, and beauty pageant host is also a comedian and and actor and is known for his elaborately colored suits
Steve Harvey
This inventor and entrepreneur developed a hair care line for Black women and at the time of her death was one of the wealthiest Black women of the time
Madam C.J. Walker
This former footballer sacrificed his career after refusing to discontinue his peaceful protest of police brutality
Colin Kaepernick
Abolitionist who led slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, served as an armed scout and spy for the United States Army during the Civil War, and became an activist for Women's Suffrage
Harriet Tubman
This actor is most recognized for his booming voice as characters such as Darth Vader and Mufasa
James Earl Jones
This TV show hostess made a meme of herself when she fainted on air due to dehydration
Wendy Williams