Musicians
Famous for the song that asks "Who's Bad?"
Who was Michael Jackson?
Born Sarah Breedlove, she became the first African American millionaire by selling hair care products.
Who was Madam CJ Walker?
He was the first African American player for the Brooklyn Dodgers and made it to six World Series.
Who was Jackie Robinson?
After a long day at work, this brave lady refused to give up her seat on the bus.
Who was Rosa Parks?
She started a space camp for children after being the first African American female to fly in space.
Who is Mae Jemison?
This famous artist plays many instruments, despite not being able to see the sheet music.
Who is Stevie Wonder?
Fire fighters can thank this inventor for this mask that filters out smoke.
Who was Garrett Morgan?
She lost use of her left leg at age four, and at age 16 she became the first black woman to win a medal in the Summer Olympics.
Who was Wilma Rudolph?
She teacher opened a school for black girls in 1904 and later became an advisor for President Franklin Roosevelt.
Who was Mary McLeod Bethune?
He was the first African-American student at Iowa State and known for discovering many ways to use a peanut.
Who was George Washington Carver?
His famous song “When You’re Smiling” is the perfect song for a toothpaste commercial.
Who is Louis Armstrong?
He invented a device that would automatically add oil as it was needed and as the train kept moving.
Who was Elijah McCoy?
He was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour. There is a golf course in Charlotte named after him.
Who is Charlie Sifford?
This lawyer fought against segregation in schools and later became to first African American Supreme Court Justice.
Who was Thurgood Marshall?
Born a slave in 1838, he became one of the first African Americans to work in law enforcement.
Who was Bass Reeves?
Born Troy Andrews, this Grammy nominated trombone player lead a band at age six and headlines the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Who was Trombone Shorty?
Known for writing a popular almanac and sent letters to Thomas Jefferson asking him to consider that all men were created equal, regardless of race
Who is Benjamin Banneker?
He was the home run king (estimated 962 home runs) and catcher that never made it to the MLB.
Who was Josh Gibson?
At the age of nine, this civil rights activist was arrested and spent 5 nights in jail.
Who was Audrey Faye Hendricks?
He began playing tennis at age 7 and was the first Black winner of a major men's singles championship.
Who is Arthur Ashe?
She is best known for performing at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, after she was denied permission to sing for an integrated audience at Washington's DAR Constitution Hall.
Who is Marian Anderson?
Although a poor score on a test initially discouraged him, this African American persevered and created the ultimate squirt gun.
Who is Lonnie Johnson?
This six time NBA champion played for UNC and the Chicago Bulls. He now owns the Charlotte Hornets.
Who is Michael Jordan?
This six year old was escorted to school by four federal marshals on her first day of school.
Who is Ruby Bridges?
She was picked to read her poem at the 2021 presidential inauguration.
Who is Amanda Gorman?