Activists
Author and influential world peace activist
Worked to institute Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday
In 1969 she established an annual Coretta Scott King Award to honor an African American author of an outstanding text for children
Who was Coretta Scott King?
South Korean Boy band formed in 2010
Sold out their first U.S. stadium show in 20 minutes
2017- Top Social Artist Award at the Billboard Music Awards
Who is BTS?
Named Cassius Clay at birth
Boxer, philanthropist, social activist
Who was Muhammad Ali?
Popular author for children and young adults
Co-author of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Named Library of Congress' national ambassador for young people's literature in January 2020
A “physician, engineer, educator, entrepreneur and the first woman of color in the world to go into space” (PBS NOVA)
NASA astronaut for six years -- in 1992, flew into space aboard the Endeavour
Who is Mae C. Jemison?
This congressman was a Freedom Rider, spoke at 1963's March on Washington, and led the demonstration that became known as "Bloody Sunday."
In 2016, he won the National Book Award for the third installment in the series March: Book Three, which marks the first time a graphic novel has received the honor.
Who was John Lewis?
Designer and entrepreneur is the founder of Mo’s Bows
Started selling handmade bowties on Etsy at age 9
Appeared on Shark Tank at age 12
Who is Moziah Bridges?
His 1,256 career points scored make him the highest-scoring non-kicker in NFL history.
MVP of Super Bowl XXIII (1988) - 3 Super Bowl wins during his 21 season career
Widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, and one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Who is Jerry Rice?
“One of America’s foremost historians and leading antiracist scholars.”
In 2020, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world
Co-author of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.
Iowa City West High School graduate and University of Iowa student
Invented a suture (stitches) thread that changes color when a surgical wound becomes infected
Won science competition and was invited on Ellen
Who is Dasia Taylor?
Local activist
Humanize My Hoodie
Born Leaders United Fashion Company
Who is Andre Wright?
Puerto Rican playwright, composer, lyricist, and actor known for his hip-hop–infused musicals "In the Heights" and "Hamilton."
Wrote music for the Disney movie Moana and played the character Jack in Mary Poppins Returns
Who is Lin Manuel Miranda?
Known as the “Greatest Winner in Sports”
Led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA titles
Won 11 NBA titles in the 13 seasons that he played with the Boston Celtics
Who is Bill Russell?
Internationally acclaimed poet and civil rights champion.
Self-described "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet"
Born in New York in 1934 to Caribbean immigrants
Who was Audre Lorde?
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) lead scientist
Played “an integral role” in developing Moderna COVID vaccine
Who is Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett?
One of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement
Worked to elect more Latinos and women to political office and has championed women’s issues.
Who is Dolores Huerta?
Founder and CEO of Off-White
A leading designer whose groundbreaking fusions of streetwear and high couture made him one of the most celebrated tastemakers in fashion and beyond
Who was Virgil Abloh?
Mexican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper and captain for Liga MX club América, and the Mexico national team.
Who is Guillermo Ochoa?
This writer went to the prestigious University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, earning an MFA in 1978.
She was appointed the first Native American Poet Laureate in the U.S. in 2019.
Who is Joy Harjo?
Canadian teen who won the top prize at an international youth science competition in 2020
She explained in “simple” terms the theory of quantum tunneling
Who is Maryam Tsegaye?
March 2, 1955 -- 9 months before Rosa Parks -- this 15-yr-old refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, leading to her arrest.
Who is Claudette Colvin?
Iconic African American tap dancer and actor best known for his Broadway performances and film roles.
Most highly paid African-American entertainer in the United States during the first half of the 20th century.
Who is Bill "Bojangles" Robinson?
Olympic swimmer who is a Puerto Rican of African descent (Afro-Latina)
She was the first black woman to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic swimming team
Broke three American records and earned a silver medal in the 400 freestyle relay in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
Who is Maritza Correia McClendon?
American poet and writer of Chicano descent (Mexican American)
Taught himself to read in prison and began writing poetry
Has published over a dozen books of poetry, essays, stories, a screenplay, and an award-winning memoir, A Place to Stand
Who is Jimmy Santiago Baca?
Named one of “The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Technology” by Business Insider in 2013.
Founded Black Girls CODE in 2011
Who is Kimberly Bryant?