Nicknamed "Lady Day," her songs include "Don't Explain," "God Bless the Child," and "Strange Fruit."
Who is Billie Holiday?
100
Agricultural scientist who invented over 400 peanut and sweet potato products.
Who is George Washington Carver?
100
First African American woman to speak publicly against slavery. She worked with freed slaves and nursed wounded black soldiers; famously asked, "And ain't I a woman?"
Who is Sojourner Truth?
100
Author of Beloved and The Bluest Eye who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.
Who is Toni Morrison?
100
One of the most respected and influential Civil Rights leaders of the 20th century; known for non-violence; assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Who is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
200
A famous trumpet player nicknamed "Satchmo" who revolutionized jazz. One of their most popular songs is "It's a Wonderful World."
Who is Louis Armstrong?
200
A pioneer in the electric lighting industry, he was the only black member of Thomas Edison's team of inventors. His carbon filament creation made the light bulb practical for everyday use.
Who is Lewis Howard Latimer?
200
Known for her use of the "underground railroad," she led some 300 African slaves out of slavery in the south, and was a cook, nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army.
Who is Harriet Tubman?
200
Named U.S. poet laureate during Bill Clinton's administration; author of "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings."
Who is Maya Angelou?
200
Founder of the Rainbow Coalition and two-time candidate for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination who founded PUSH (People United to Save Humanity).
Who is Jesse Jackson?
300
Famous jazz pianist and composer who composed musicals, reviews, an opera, film scores, and television productions. One of their most famous songs is "Take the 'A' Train."
Who is Duke Ellington?
300
The first black millionaire businesswoman who invented a new haircare process using a straightening comb and pomade, and marketed a line of cosmetics for black women.
Who is Madame C. J. Walker?
300
Was president of Tuskegee Institute; founded National Negro Business League; author of "Up From Slavery."
Who is Booker T. Washington?
300
In 1940 wrote "Native Son" and became the leading black U.S. author. Also wrote "Uncle Tom's Children" and his autobiography, "Black Boy".
Who is Richard Wright?
300
Extremely well-known jazz singer known for "scat singing"; her singing career spanned 60 years. Her hits include "A Tisket a Tasket" and "Undecided".
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
400
Moved to Paris to dance with "La Revue Negre" at age 18. In 1951, she visited the U.S., performing to rave reviews. Famous for her elaborate costumes and flair.
Who is Josephine Baker?
400
Regarded as a brilliant surgeon, he was the first doctor to successfully perform open-heart surgery and founded the National Medical Association.
Who is Daniel Hale Williams?
400
Famous abolitionist who published the abolitionist newspaper, North Star; wrote his famous autobiography in 1845; often called "father of the civil rights movement."
Who is Frederick Douglass?
400
First African American playwright to write a play produced on Broadway; author of "Raisin In The Sun".
Who is Lorraine Hansberry?
400
Author of The Color Purple; urged president Bill Clinton to develop better relations with Cuba's president Fidel Castro?
Who is Alice Walker?
500
First black singer to perform in a production at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Gave a memorable concert at the Lincoln Memorial, but was banned from singing in Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall.
Who is Marian Anderson?
500
World-renowned surgeon, medical scientist, and educator; medical pioneer who found a way to preserve blood; created the first blood bank and developed a way to efficiently store blood plasma.
Who is Dr. Charles Richard Drew?
500
First African American woman elected to U.S. Congress; first African American person to launch a campaign for a major party presidential nomination (in the 1960s); founded the National Political Congress of Black Women.
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
500
Headed the Anti-Lynching League and founded Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago; perhaps the most famous black female journalist of her time.
Who is Ida B. Wells-Barnett?
500
One of the original writers of the Harlem Renaissance; published "Weary Blues" and "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" in addition to many poems.