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100

Nicknamed "Lady Day"... her composition included "God Bless the Child", "Don't Explain", and the haunting "Strange Fruit"; her autobiography was titled LADY SINGS THE BLUES 1915- 1959

Billie Holiday

100

Agricultural scientist who invented over 400 peanut and sweet potato products

George Washington Carver

100

Author of BELOVED and THE BLUEST EYE who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 1931 -- ____

Toni Morrison

100

Her show was originally called "A.M. Chicago"; she was in the movie THE COLOR PURPLE

Oprah Winfrey

100

Surely the most respected and influential Civil Rights Leader of the 20th century; known for non-violence; tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

200

Nicknamed "Satchmo"; famous trumpet player; revolutionized jazz; sang about it being "...a wonderful world" 1901-1971

Louis Armstrong

200

A pioneer in the electric lighting industry; the only black member of Thomas Edison's team of inventors; his carbon filament creation made the light bulb practical for everyday use 1848 - 1928

Lewis Howard Latimer

200

Named U.S. poet laureate during Bill Clinton's administration; author of I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS 1928 -- ____

Maya Angelou

200

Received his first Academy Award nomination for CRY FREEDOM; second African American to win an Oscar (Academy Award) for Best Actor; starred in GLORY and COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Denzel Washington

200

Some consider her the "Moses" of her people; known for her use of the "underground railroad"; led some 300 African slaves out of slavery in the south; was a cook, nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army 1820 - 1913 

Harriet Tubman

300

Famous Jazz Pianist and composer who composed musicals, reviews, an opera, film scores, and television productions... may have taken the A train! 1899 - 1974

Duke Ellington

300

Invented a new haircare process using a straightening comb and pomade; marketed a line of cosmetics for black women; first black millionaire businesswoman

Madame C.J. Walker

300

In 1940 wrote NATIVE SON and became the leading black U.S. author; also wrote UNCLE TOM's CHILDREN and his autobiography, BLACK BOY 1908 - 1960

Richard Wright

300

First African American woman to receive an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actress

Halle Berry

300

Extremely well-known jazz singer, known for "scat singing"; her singing career spanned 60 years; her first big hit was "A Tisket a Tasket" and her second big hit was "Undecided" 1917 - 1996

Ella Fitzgerald

400

At age 18, moved to Paris to dance with "La Revue Negre"; in 1951, she visited the U.S. to perform to rave reviews; famous for her  elaborate costumes, and flair 1906-1975

Josephine Baker

400

Broke down racial barriers in the game of tennis; first black male to win the United States tennis championship and England's Wimbledon tournament; died from AIDS which infected him after a blood transfusion 1943 - 1993

Arthur Ashe

400

First African American to write a play to be produced on Broadway; author of RAISIN IN THE SUN; playwright who died of cancer in 1965

Lorraine Hansberry

400

Famous film maker whose films include DO THE RIGHT THING and MALCOLM X

Spike Lee

400

Took four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics while Hitler watched him defeating Germany's Aryan athletes; track and field star

Jesse Owens

500

First black singer to perform in a production at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City; gave a memorable concert at the Lincoln Memorial; was banned from singing in Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall 1897 - 1993

Marian Anderson

500

"Arguably the greatest fighter of all time."; took the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics; born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. 1942 - ____

Muhammad Ali

500

Headed the Anti-Lynching League; Founded Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago; perhaps the most famous black female journalist of her time 1862 - 1931

Ida B. Wells-Barnett

500

First African American to receive an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor; star of many movies, including GUESS WHO's COMING TO DINNER an TO SIR WITH LOVE

Sidney Poitier

500

First African American baseball player to see his team to the World Series; named Rookie of the Year in 1947; played for the Brooklyn Dodgers 1919-1972

Jackie Robinson

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