Inventors
African American inventor best known for his research into alternative crops for cotton, especially peanuts
Who is George Washington Carver
African American author, editor, and activist who aided in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); favored vocal protest and action to receive rights for his people
Who is W.E.B. Dubois
Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. His first novel and magnum opus, Things Fall Apart, occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel.
Who is Chinua Achebe
African American Actress and comedian, best known for her role in "Sister Act" 1 and 2.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg
African American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre, one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. On June 30, 2015, she became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history.
Who is Misty Copeland
African American inventor and engineer who created the first pacemaker.
Who is Otis Boykin
African American activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott
Who is Rosa Parks
African American poet who was a finalist twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Was Poet Laureate of Maryland from 1979 to 1985. Best known for her piece, "Homage to My Hips".
Who is Lucille Clifton
African American actor, film director, and diplomat. The first black actor to win a prestigious international film award.
Who is Sidney Poitier
African American dancer who is credited with having been the first African-American woman to dance for a major classical ballet company.
Who is Raven Wilkinson
African American inventor, aerospace engineer, and entrepreneur, whose work includes a U.S. Air Force term of service and a twelve-year stint at NASA
Who is Lonnie Johnson
African American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.
Who is Malcolm X
African American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and one of the central figures in the Harlem Renaissance.
Who is Langston Hughes
African American actress who is most famous for her role in Wiz as the "Good Witch", civil rights activist, and singer
Who is Lena Horne
Who is Josephine Baker
African American inventor, one of the first women to receive a patent in the US, and is most famous for the ironing board
Who is Sarah Boone
African-American civil rights and women's rights activist. She focused on the issues of African-American women, including unemployment, illiteracy, and voter awareness
Who is Dorothy Height
African American poet and civil rights fighter who is known as one of the most famous Black poets of a generation; best known for her unique writing style.
Who is Maya Angelou
African American actor, producer, and director. He's received numerous accolades and is most famous for acting in "Remember the Titans".
Who is Denzel Washington
African American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist. She had one of the most successful dance careers of the 20th century and directed her own dance company for many years.
Who is Katherine Dunham
African American inventor, who introduced five improvements to the automatic railroad car coupler in 1897 and 1899, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
Who is Andrew Jackson Beard
African American voting and women's rights activist, community organizer, and a leader in the civil rights movement
Who is Fannie Louis
African American poet and activist; her best-known piece being "A Litany for Survival".
Who is Audre Lore
African American actress and producer. One of the few performers to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Also known for acting in the movie "Woman King"
Who is Viola Davis
African American ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder and director of ballet companies. In 1955, he was the first African-American dancer with the New York City Ballet, where he was promoted to principal dancer.
Who is Arthur Mitchell