Architecture
Two major government buildings built by free and enslaved African Americans in 1792.
What is the White House and the United States Capital
An enslaved African who saved hundreds of Bostonians from smallpox in 1721 by teaching others about the practice of inoculation. Inoculation was a common practice in Africa and Asia. He taught his enslaver to take the pus from an infected person and inserting it into the broken skin of a healthy person would lead to that person being immune from future infections. Unfortunately, the enslaver a physician took credit.
Who is Onesimus?
Born enslaved, she grew up to be a famous poet/activist. Her literacy works served as a source of activism by challenging the popular notions about the intellectual capabilities of African Americans and advocating for abolition. She was the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry, and her writings were shared and read throughout the world. She corresponded with George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette.
Who is Phillis Wheatley?
Known as a self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor, he also created an early wooden clock, which kept remarkable time thanks to its precise craftsmanship. Also known for surveying and planning out the layout of Washington D.C.
Who is Benjamin Banneker?
A set of laws affecting all African Americans, whether free or not, restricting them to testify against white people in the court of law.
What are testimony restrictions?
Worked on various projects such as academic buildings, homes, and churches. Most notably, he was also involved in the planning and design of the Tuskegee Institute campus in Alabama.
Who is Robert Robinson Taylor
Born into slavery, obtained degrees in agriculture and botany after the abolition of slavery. He went on to revitalize the economy of the U.S. south by finding alternative crops to cotton which was depleting the soil. These alternative crops diversified the south's agricultural market by establishing practices for soybeans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. This ag. change had a world wide impact.
Who is George Washington Carver?
Born into slavery, he escaped to the north in 1838. He then became a major public figure for the abolitionist movement by writing an autobiography. After the Civil War he continued his activism by supporting the women's suffrage movement. He was the U.S Minister to Haiti, and the first African American nominated to VP in 1872.
Who is Frederick Douglass?
His parents escaped slavery in the U.S via the Underground Railroad and settled in Cananda. He moved back to the U.S. to become an engineer. He invented the automatic lubricator leading to more efficient and reliable trains. He also invented improvements for the ironing board, sprinklers, and airbrake systems.
Who is Elijah McCoy?
A set of laws affecting all African Americans, whether free or enslaved, restricting their movement and activities after dark. Violations could result in arrest.
What are curfew laws?
Renown for designing major buildings in Southern California, including the space-aged LAX Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport and over 2,000 homes in the hills throughout Los Angeles.
Who is Paul Revere Williams??
She was the first female self-made millionaire in America. She also suffered from hair loss. This prompted her to create hair care products which grew into a successful business empire.
Who is Madame C.J. Walker?
First African American to serve on the Supreme Court Justice. He gained national prominence as the lead attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund where he successfully argued several landmark cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka leading to the desegregation of U.S. schools.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
Invented IBM’s original PC and color monitor as well as the technology for printers, keyboards, and mice.
Who is Mark Dean?
Practice that failed to uphold the doctrine of "separate but equal" because of underfunded black schools with inferior resources limiting opportunities for African American children.
Educational Segregation
African American architect who designed the Nobel Peace Center in 2005 in Norway, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver in 2005, and the Idea Stores in London in 2005.
Aerospace engineer who worked for NASA and inventor of the Super Soaker. He also holds over 100 patents for various inventions including thermoelectric energy, energy converter, and ceramic battery.
Who is Lonnie G. Johnson?
First African American President of the U.S, he instated the Affordable Health Care Act, and received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.
Who is Barack Obama?
Beginning her career at AT&T Bell Labs in the 80s she is known for her pioneering work in VoIP tech and holds numerous patents in the field. She has received numerous awards in for her contributions and is one of the most influential women in IT. She is served as the VP of Engineering at Google where she led the Research Center for responsible AI and Human Centered Tech.
Who is Marian Croak?
Aggressive drug enforcement policies such as mandatory minimum sentences that disproportionately impact African American communities despite similar rates of drug use across racial groups.
What is the War on Drugs?