She Did That!
She worked as a labor organizer in the garment industry and became the first Black woman to represent the U.S. labor movement overseas in 1945 when she visited Great Britain on a labor exchange trip.
Who is Maida Springer Kemp (“Mama Maida”)?
This Black inventor brightened our nights by creating the first modern-day lightbulb filament, improving Thomas Edison's design.
Who is Lewis Latimer?
This musical artist won her first solo Grammy in 2004, who has since climbed to international acclaim, the same year that Facebook was founded.
Who is Beyoncé?
This playwright, actor, and filmmaker overcame poverty and advertisty to establish one of the largest motion picture studios in the U.S. One of the most beloved TV’s mamas was created here, known for her famous line “hellur” and no-nonsense attitude.
Who is Tyler Perry?
Founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1964, these two leaders worked with Bob Moses to challenge racial discrimination in politics and labor.
Who are Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Baker?
The next time you stop at a red light or see your auntie get their hair relaxed, thank this Black inventor, who patented the three-light traffic signal in 1923 and created the first chemical hair straightener.
Who is Garrett Morgan?
This famous speech calling for equality and civil rights occurred in 1963, the same year the hula hoop was patented.
What is Martin Luther King Jr’s I Have a Dream speech?
The designer who is Liberian-New Yorker, designed the modern highly coveted accessory, as is known for its simple, yet bold statement, often referred to as the "it" bag, and is recognizable by its encircled T logo.
Who is Telfar Cemens?
Neighbor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom founded the National Domestic Workers Union in 1968 to teach workers how to advocate for higher wages, vacation time, and register to vote.
Who is Dorthy Bolden?
If you've ever used a home security system, you owe thanks to this Black woman, who co-invented the first closed-circuit security system in 1966.
Who is Marie Van Brittan Brown?
The year that saw the founding of the Black Panther Party as well as the creation of the first Instant Oatmeal brand.
What is the year 1966?
This media mogul and former talk show host turned entrepreneur created OWN, a network that has become a hub for diverse content and storytelling.
Who is Oprah Winfrey?
Founder of the Domestic Workers Union in Harlem in 1934 to go against NYC’s “slave markets”. The union fought for minimum wage, overtime, two weeks notice for termination, and no window washing as they represented black women who waited on street corners for white women to higher them.
Who is Dora Lee Jones?
This tasty treat that helps cool us down on hot summer days was made possible by a Black inventor who created the automatic ice cream maker.
Who is Augustus Jackson?
The speech "Nobody's free until everybody's free", given in 1971 (the same year Disney World opened), highlighted this person’s work in advocating for civil, labor, and voting rights.
Who is Fannie Lou Hamer?
This founder of Sundial Brands, one of the largest natural beauty companies in the U.S. (parent to SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage), began his entrepreneurial journey by selling bath and body products using his grandmother's recipes after growing up in Liberia during a violent civil war.
Who is Richelieu Dennis?
Wearing many hats as a suffragist, educator, and organizer, this woman integrated labor reform into the suffrage movement and established the National Trade School for Women and Girls to open career options for Black women and combat labor exploitation.
Who is Nannie Helen Burroughs?
This pioneering ophthalmologist invented the laserphaco technique for cataract surgery and became the first woman to chair an ophthalmology residency program in the U.S.
Who is Dr. Patricia Bath?
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids was founded by labor organizer and civil rights activist A. Philip Randolph, the same year that the Great Gatsby was published.
When is 1925?
The founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), who co-owned the network with his then-wife Sheila, became one of the first Black billionaires in America after Viacom bought the company in 2000 for $2.9 billion.
Who is Robert Johnson?