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She holds 23 Grand Slam titles, the most in the Open Era
Serena Williams
This June holiday, which became a federal holiday in 2021, celebrates the end of slavery in the US and is often marked by parades and cookouts
Juneteenth
Known as the "Queen of Soul," she was the first woman in the Rock Hall of Fame
Aretha Franklin
"Hidden Figure" NASA mathematician who calculated the orbit for John Glenn
Katherine Johnson
He became the first Black heavyweight champion in 1908
Jack Johnson
In 1971, Don Cornelius created and hosted this legendary TV show, which brought "Love, Peace, and Soul" into living rooms for 35 years
Soul Train
She is the "First Lady of Song" and was the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award in 1958
Ella Fitzgerald
He patented the 3-position traffic signal in 1923
Garrett Morgan
This track star won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Hitler's "Aryan" myth
Jesse Owens
This NASA engineer and inventor created one of the world's most joyful summer toys: the Super Soaker water gun
Lonnie Johnson
This iconic 1939 Billie Holiday song was a powerful protest against lynching
Strange Fruit
Inventor of the "foil electret microphone" used in 90% of phones today
James West