Higher Learning
This men-only HBCU was attended by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was only 15 years old.
Morehouse University
This acting powerhouse who starred in several critically acclaimed films including Glory, Malcolm X and Fences has had nine Oscar nominations and two wins over the course of his career.
Denzel Washington
This famous innovator used peanuts to make paint and ink.
George Washington Carver
This former four-star general was the first African American Secretary of State and first to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Colin Powell
This basketball superstar trademarked the name "Mambacita" in honor of his daughter, Gianna.
Kobe Bryant
This HBCU is part of the Atlanta University Center and was attended by Lincoln's very own Chief Diversity Officer, Allison Green.
Spelman College
She won for her performance in Gone with the Wind, and was the first African American to ever win an Oscar.
Haddie McDaniel
"It's Nerf or Nothin!" Former Air Force pilot, Lonnie Johnson invented this children's summertime favorite which generated over $200 million in sales in 1991.
Super Soaker
This author, whose works include The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon, was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Toni Morrison
He became the first African American head coach to win the Superbowl, when he led the Colts to victory in 2007.
Tony Dungy
Booker T. Washington co-founded this Alabama HBCU.
Tuskegee University
He was the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1964 performance in Lilies of the Field.
Sidney Portier
Charles Henry Turner, a notable zoologist, was the first person to prove this particular species of flying insect could see colors and patterns.
Bee (Honeybee)
Known as the Queen of Jazz and the First Lady of Song, she was the first African American to win a Grammy at the first annual Grammy Awards in 1958.
Ella Fitzgerald
In 1956, this professional golfer and tennis player became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title, and in 1964 she became the first to join the LPGA tour.
Althea Gibson
This Pennsylvania university is known for being the first HBCU and was founded 1837.
Cheyney University
She was the first and is still the only African American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
Halle Berry
Sarah Breedlove developed and sold cosmetic and hair care products, was one of the wealthiest self-made woman of her time, and later adopted this famous name.
Madam C.J. Walker
This state, which is the largest producer of maple syrup, was first state to abolish slavery.
Vermont
She back flipped into a gold medal win at the World Gymnastics Championships in 2013 and is currently the most decorated U.S. gymnast.
Simone Biles
The heart of this Washington D.C. HBCU's campus is widely known as "The Yard."
Howard University
In 2019, this film and TV star received her first Oscar nomination and win for Best Supporting Actress in "If Beale Street Could Talk."
Regina King
Gladys Mae West was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame for her contributions to this invention that virtually eliminated the use of physical maps for civilian travel.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
This Marvel character is Captain America's right-hand man and was the first African-American superhero.
The Falcon
Mo'ne Davis made history as the first girl to earn a win and to pitch a shutout during this televised sporting event.
The Little League World Series