Sports
I broke the line but not the rules,
I swung my bat and changed the schools.
With number 42, I paved the way,
Jackie Robinson
A dream that is both bold and bright,
That all would share an equal right.
I led the way,
For peace and love to rule the day.
Martin Luther King Jr
George Washington Carver
Walk by night and hid by day
Leading the lost along the way
Though chains once bound, I broke them free
For some don't know my real name
Harriet Tubman (Araminta Ross)
I was the first, but not the last,
A symbol of change from the past.
With "Hope" and "Yes We Can," I rose,
Leading a nation, despite its woes.
Barak Obama
Fast as the wind, yet bound by chains,
I proved my worth on grandest plains.
Four times I soared, the world took note,
Defying those who swore I’d choke.
Jesse Owen
I speak with power, stand with pride,
For justice and truth, I won’t hide.
Once called one name, then changed my fate,
A voice for my people, against their weight.
Malcolm X
I light the dark, yet I stop the rush,
With signals bright, avoiding the crush.
I saved the breath of those below,
With a mask to help the air still flow.
Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr.
I was born a slave but sought to be free,
With words and wisdom, I changed history.
I taught myself, though none would teach,
And spoke for those beyond my reach.
Fredrick Douglass
I painted faith with colors bright,
And captured scenes in glowing light.
From Paris' streets to lands divine,
My brush brought stories, deep and fine.
Henry Ossawa Tanner
I soar through the air with grace and might,
Flipping and twisting, a dazzling sight.
Gold in my hands, history I make,
Gabby Douglas
I built no walls, yet opened doors,
Through knowledge, labor, and hardships bore.
Born in chains, yet rose up free,
Leading others with dignity.
Brooker T Washington
I drew the lines but not with ink,
For light to shine, my mind would think.
Though others claimed the grand design,
My work helped make the bulb refine.
Lewis Latimer
I sailed to freedom under the moon's light,
A ship once owned by those who denied my right.
From enslaved to hero, I broke every chain,
In the heart of a war, I made history’s gain.
Robert Smalls
Who were the Greensboro Four
Ezell Blair, Jr. (later Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond
I swung my racquet and broke the mold,
On courts where many stories are told.
A champion's heart, a trailblazer’s stride,
In tennis and golf, I took great pride.
Althea Gibson
I took a seat to take a stand,
With three beside me, hand in hand.
A counter was my battlefield,
Where justice fought, yet none would yield.
Franklin McCain
I started with little, but built something grand,
With potions and oils made by my hand.
I paved the way, the first to stand,
A self-made millionaire across the land.
Madame C.J. Walker
I fought for freedom, both in heart and mind,
In war and peace, my legacy defined.
A doctor and soldier, with courage untold,
In a world of prejudice, I stood bold.
Alexander Augusta
I’m the only one out of 17 siblings to attend school
I have a school named after me
And I’m the First African American woman to lead a federal agency.
Mary Mclead Bethune
I ran with speed that left them all behind,
Overcoming barriers, I showed I could climb.
A world record holder, they knew my name,
In the 1960s, I rose to fame.
Wilma Rudolph
I guided a son who changed the land,
With faith and justice, hand in hand.
A preacher first, my voice held strong,
For civil rights, I led along.
Martin Luther King Sr
I saw the world through electric eyes,
Keeping homes safe, stopping surprise.
A button to call, a screen to see,
My invention brought security.
Marie Van Brittan
Born in chains, yet led to free,
A guiding light for liberty.
With sword and mind, he fought the fight,
Breaking tyrants’ rule at night.
He led a land to rise and stand,
Toussaint Louverture
I traveled down to the crossroads, where my soul was sold,
A guitar in hand, I played stories untold.
My voice and my melodies echo through time,
Some say I made a deal, a pact so divine.
Robert Johnson