Inventors
I Invented the three-light traffic signal, inspired by an accident he witnessed.
First Black woman elected to Congress (1968) and first major-party Black presidential candidate (1972)
Shirley Chisholm
First Black tennis player to win a Grand Slam (1956)
Althea Gibson
All-Black regiments formed after the Civil War, known for bravery on the Western frontier, fighting in Indian Wars, and serving in WWI.
Buffalo Soldiers
Helped survey and design the capital city, Washington DC
Benjamin Banneker
I created the first home security system, precursor to modern door bells.
First African American woman to graduate from Harvard Law School (1956).
Lila Fenwick
The first Black heavyweight boxing champion, a powerful figure during the Jim Crow era.
Jack Johnson (Boxing)
The first African American military pilots, they escorted bombers in WWII with an exceptional low loss record, proving Black pilots' effectiveness.
Tuskegee Airmen
First accredited Black architect in the U.S., designed buildings at Tuskegee Institute.
Robert Robinson Taylor (1868-1942)
Invented the carbon filament, making lightbulbs last longer.
First elected African American governor in the U.S. (Virginia)
Douglas Wilder
Integrated the NBA in 1950, with Cooper being the first Black player drafted.
Chuck Cooper, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, & Earl Lloyd (Basketball)
Black soldiers who served heroically in WWI and were welcomed as heroes back home.
Harlem Hellfighters
Key designer at Horace Trumbauer's firm, designed the Duke University campus.
Julian Abele (1881-1950)
Invented Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology, foundational to services like zoom
The first African American U.S. Senator (1870)
Hiram Rhodes Revels
First Black man to win Wimbledon and the US Open, advocating for change.
Arthur Ashe
First female Black cable car conductor in San Francisco (1944)
Maya Angelou
First licensed Black female architect in the U.S..
Beverly Loraine Greene (1915-1957)
Developed techniques for blood plasma storage, creating blood banks.
Dr. Charles Richard Drew
Arrested nine months before Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama
Claudette Colvin
Redefined basketball excellence, global marketing, and player empowerment.
Michael Jordan & LeBron James (Basketball)
First and only documented female Buffalo Soldier, posing as a man to enlist.
Cathay Williams
First Black student at Clemson, first Black Mayor of Charlotte, designed major public works.
Harvey Gantt