Famous Firsts
Elected in 2008, this Harvard Law graduate made history as the 44th President of the United States.
Who is Barack Obama?
He broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947
Who is Jackie Robinson?
Invented the 3-position traffic light.
Who is Garrett Morgan?
He delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
his groundbreaking television show, which aired from 1975 to 1985, was the first to feature an African American family as the central characters.
What is "The Jeffersons"?
This Hall of Famer made history as the first NFL player to win five Super Bowl championships
Who is Charles Haley?
Known as "The Greatest," this boxer was not only a champion in the ring but also a civil rights activist.
Who is Muhammad Ali?
Developed numerous uses for the peanut
Who is George Washington Carver?
This woman refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Who is Rosa Parks?
This African American author and civil rights activist's work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" has had a lasting impact on American literature.
Who is Maya Angelou?
In 1983, this NASA astronaut became the first African American to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Who is Guion Bluford?
This track and field athlete won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Who is Jesse Owens?
Is considered the “Father of the Video Game Cartridge.”
Who is Gerald “Jerry” Lawson?
This NAACP leader and prominent civil rights attorney argued and won the Brown v. Board of Education case before the Supreme Court.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
This pioneering musician is often called the "Godfather of Soul" and had a profound influence on the development of funk music.
Who is James Brown?
This American diplomat and political scientist in 1950 became the first person of color to receive a Nobel Peace Prize
Who is Ralph Bunche?
This tennis player became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title in 1956.
Who is Althea Gibson?
Invented a way to transmit three-dimensional images or holograms.
Who is Valarie Thomas?
This civil rights leader was the founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and played a significant role in organizing Freedom Rides and the March on Washington
Who is James Farmer?
Known as the "Queen of All Media," she is a television host, producer, and philanthropist who has had a significant impact on American culture.
Who is Oprah Winfrey?
This 1924 Olympian is first African American to win an Individual Olympic Gold Medal
Who is DeHart Hubbard?
This athlete became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961.
Who is Ernie Davis?
Invented a device and technique for cataract surgery
Who is Patricia Bath?
This influential civil rights leader advocated for the rights of African Americans and was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam before his assassination in 1965.
Who is Malcolm X?
This influential film director and producer is known for his works such as "Do the Right Thing" and "Malcolm X," which have highlighted African American culture and history.
Who is Spike Lee?