Firsts
This man became the first Black president of the United States in 2009
Who is Barack Obama?
This woman is known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement"
Who is Rosa Parks?
This legendary Black tennis player has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era
Who is Serena Williams?
This mathematician and computer scientist was one of the pioneering "Hidden Figures" at NASA with Katherine Johnson, contributing to the early success of space missions through her work on programming electronic computers
Who is Dorothy Vaughn?
This singer, often called the "Queen of Soul," is famous for hits like "Respect" and "Think" and was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Who is Aretha Franklin?
In 1984, this African American became the first woman to fly in space
Who is Dr. Mae Jemison?
This man delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in 1963
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
This baseball player famously broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947
Who is Jackie Robinson?
This self-taught African American scientist and mathematician is best known for his work in surveying the land for Washington, D.C., and publishing an almanac
Who is Benjamin Banneker?
This artist is known for his colorful, large-scale portraits of Black individuals, including famous people like Barack Obama
Who is Kehinde Wiley?
In 1920, this woman became the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license and became known as "The World's Greatest Woman Pilot"
Who is Bessie Coleman?
This writer and poet, best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement
Who is Maya Angelou?
This American gymnast has earned a total of 7 Olympic medals, including 4 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronze, making her one of the most decorated gymnasts in Olympic history
Who is Simone Biles?
This scientist and inventor is known for his groundbreaking work in the field of biotechnology, particularly for developing techniques in detecting DNA and contributing to NASA's space program
Who is Emmett Chappelle?
This artist, famous for her use of vibrant colors, was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art
Who is Alma Thomas?
This pioneering inventor and entrepreneur became the first African American woman to become a self-made millionaire in the early 1900s by creating hair care products for Black women
Who is Madam C.J. Walker?
This man was an abolitionist who escaped slavery and later became a famous speaker, writer, and leader in the abolitionist movement
Who is Frederick Douglass?
This NBA player, known for his skills and activism, was the first to sign a multi-million-dollar shoe deal with Nike
Who is Michael Jordan?
This African American engineer broke barriers as one of the first women to design a U.S. naval ship, including the USS Anzio, using computer-aided design
Who is Raye Montague?
This fashion designer is famous for his luxury streetwear brand that combines high fashion with urban style and is known for collaborating with Gucci
Who is Dapper Dan?
This woman became the first African American woman to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022
Who is Dr. Ketanji Brown Jackson?
This African American woman became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1968
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
This athlete, known as "The Greatest," was a world-champion boxer and civil rights advocate
Who is Muhammad Ali?
This African American chemist and inventor developed several breakthroughs in polymer chemistry, including innovations used in cable insulation and plastics, and became the first African American to receive the National Medal of Science in 1991
Who is Walter Lincoln Hawkins?
In 1972, this Black actor became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field
Who is Sidney Poitier?