Women 1
First African American in space.
Dr. Guion Bluford
First African American Billionaire. I founded BET (Black Entertainment Television) which is the 1st cable television network with programs that highlight black culture. I am also the first African American to be a majority owner of a professional sports team (Charlotte Bobcats)
John H. Johnson
First African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. I was also the first African American Woman to run for U.S. President. I fought for the rights of women and minorities.
Shirley Chisholm
First Black Secretary of State.
Condoleezza Rice
First Black US Supreme Court Justice.
Thurgood Marshall
A national leader of the abolitionist movement.
Frederick Douglass
The movie that was made about 3 brilliant African American women at NASA who served as the brains behind the launching of an astronaut into orbit and turned around the space race and galvanized the world.
Hidden Figures
First Black American woman launched into space in 1992.
Dr. Mae C. Jemison
First African American soloist to sing with the Metropolitan Opera of New York City.
Marion Anderson
A famous poet during the Harlem Renaissance that portrayed the joys and hardships of blacks people’s lives.
Langston Hughes
I spent 27 years in prison for protesting apartheid (a system of laws and government policy that severely discriminate against black people) who later became president of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela
A group of African American military pilots who fought in World War II.
Tuskegee Airman
I was arrested because I refused to give up my seat on a bus to a white man. Because of my arrest, blacks in Montgomery stopped riding the bus until the law was changed.
Rosa Parks
First Black woman to learn how to fly an airplane. I became famous as a stunt pilot who entertained people at air shows. I died in a plane crash while practicing
Bessie Coleman
I was a leader in the Nation of Islam. I called for blacks to fight racism by “any means necessary”. I believed in “Black Power” with the belief that blacks must rely on themselves to make their lives better. A movie was made to tell my story. (Bonus video)
Malcolm X
One of the greatest leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Gave the “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, DC in 1963. A national holiday in January is named after me.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
One of the founders of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). This was a civil rights organization to help the advancement and justice for African Americans.
W.E. B. DuBois
I risked my life to save many others. My dream was to help slaves become free.
Harriet Tubman
I was an author, poet, and civil rights activist. I am known for my book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and my poem “Phenomenal Woman”. My poetry and books have shown the world that words are a powerful tool in helping people share their dreams.
Maya Angelou
I am known as the “Father of Black History”. My goal was to help raise awareness about the achievements of African Americans who have help to shape our nation during the month of February.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
I was well known for promoting the education of African Americans. He ran the Tuskegee Institute for 34 years which is now called Tuskegee University.
Booker T. Washington
This is the National Black Anthem
Lift Every Voice and Sing