African Americans in Science and Invention
I was born in Paris, Kentucky, on March 4, 1877. One of my first inventions involved the sewing machine. In 1914, I patented a breathing device, or “safety hood,” for safer breathing experience in the presence of smoke, gases, and other pollutants. Then, in 1923, I created a new kind of traffic signal, one with a warning light to alert drivers that they would need to stop. Who am I?
Garrett Morgan
I was born December 1, 1981 in Houston, Texas. My career began in the late 1990s as a member of the American girl group Destiny’s Child and I made my solo debut in 2003 and I have since become a cultural figure building a legacy that goes beyond music. Who am I?
Beyonce
I was born January 17, 1942 and was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "the Greatest", I was regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. I held the Ring magazine heavyweight title from 1964 to 1970. I was also the undisputed champion from 1974 to 1978. Who am I?
Muhammad Ali
I was born April 4, 1928 and was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. I published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. I received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. My series of seven autobiographies focus my childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings(1969), tells of my life up to the age of 17 and brought me international recognition and acclaim. Who am I?
Maya Angelou
I was born on January 15, 1929 and served as an American Christian minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement.
I participated in and led marches against for the right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and other civil rights. I oversaw the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott.
I was one of the leaders of the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Who am I?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
I was born in 1864 in Diamond, Missouri, during the civil war years. I was the first African American to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States. My inventions include hundreds of products, including more than 300 from peanuts (milk, plastics, paints, dyes, cosmetics, medicinal oils, soap, ink, and wood stains)
Who am I?
George Washington Carver
I was born March 25, 1942 and was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. I was very active in the civil rights movement and often provided money covering payroll, performed at benefits and protests. I am often referred to as the Queen of Soul. I was twice named her as the greatest singer of all time. Who am I?
Aretha Franklin
I was born September 26, 1981 and American former professional tennis player. I am widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. I was ranked # 1 in the world for singles. I won 23 major (Grand Slam) women's singles titles I am the only player to accomplish a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. Who am I?
Serena Williams
I was born February 1 and I was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, I am known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. I famously wrote about the period that "the Negro was in vogue", which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue." Who am I?
Langston Hughes
I was born August 4, 1961 and is an American politician. I served as a U.S. senator representing Illinois from 2005 to 2008, and as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.
I served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, I was the first African-American president in U.S. history. Who am I?
Barack Obama
I was born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867. I am known as the first female self-made millionaire in America, I made my fortune thanks to my homemade line of hair care products for Black women. Who am I?
Madame CJ Walker
I was an American singer, dancer and musician. The originator of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music. I was referred to by various nicknames, among them "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business" and “Godfather of soul”. My career that lasted more than 50 years, and I influenced the development of several music genres. I was one of the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23, 1986. Who am I?
James Brown
I was born on September 12, 1913 and was an American track and field athlete. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a honorary doctorate of athletic arts “for his unparalleled skill and ability”. I won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games. Who am I?
Jesse Owens
I was born February 18, 1931 – August 5, 2019), and am an American novelist and editor. My first novel, The Bluest Eye, was published in 1970. The critically acclaimed Song of Solomon (1977) brought my national attention and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 1988, I won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved(1987); I was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. Who am I?
Toni Morrison
I was born July 2, 1908 and served as an American civil rights lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1967 until 1991. I was the Supreme Court's first African-American justice. Prior to my judicial service, I was an attorney who fought for civil rights, leading the NAACP.
Who am I?Thurgood Marshall
I was born January 18, 1856. I founded Provident Hospital 1891, which was the first non-segregated hospital in the United States. Provident also had an associated nursing school for African Americans. I, however, am best known for having completed the first successful heart surgery. Who am I?
Dr. Daniel Williams
CI was born April 25, 1917 and was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". I was noted for my purity of tone, impeccable dictation, phrasing, timing, intonation and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. Who am I?
Ella Fitzgerald
I was born on January 31, 1919 and was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.
I am recognized for breaking the color line when I started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing me heralded the end of racial segregation in professional baseball that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s. I was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Who am I?
Jackie Robinson
I was born February 23, 1868 and was an American sociologist, socialist, historian, and Pan-Africanist civil rights activist. I was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895. I am also one of the founding members of the NAACP. Who am I?
WEB Dubois
I was born May 19, 1925 and was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement. A spokesman for the Nation of Islam (NOI) until 1964, I was a vocal advocate for Black empowerment and the promotion of Islam within the Black community. Who am I?
Malcolm X
I was born June 3, I was an African-American physician renowned for his work in blood plasma preservation. My research into the storage, processing, and shipment of blood plasma saved the lives of hundreds. Who am I?
Dr. Charles Drew
August 4, 2016 marked my 115th birthday.
I am rightly celebrated as a master jazz trumpeter, but my distinctive gravelly-voiced singing also had a huge influence on later artists. Many scholars call me the first great jazz soloist. In the 1950s, I also used my fame to speak out in support of school desegregation. Who am I
Louis Armstrong
I was born December 30, 1975 and American professional golfer. I am is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. I am widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is one of the most famous athletes in modern history. I also am an inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Who am I?
Tiger Woods
I was born August 2, 1924 and was an American writer and civil rights activist who garnered acclaim for my essays, novels, plays, and poems. My 1953 novel Go Tell It on the Mountain has been ranked among the best English-language novels.
My 1955 essay collection Notes of a Native Son helped establish his reputation as a voice for human equality. Who am I?
James Baldwin
I was born November 30, 1924 and was an American politician. In 1968, became the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. I represented New York's 12th congressional district. In 1972, I became the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Who am I?
Shirley Chisholm