Iconic Black Musicians
This "Queen of Soul" was known for her powerful voice and hits like “Respect” and “Natural Woman.”
Who is Aretha Franklin?
This athlete, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947, went on to become an MVP and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Who is Jackie Robinson?
This actor, known for his roles in Black Panther and 42, became an iconic figure in the portrayal of Black superheroes and historical figures.
Who is Chadwick Boseman?
This iconic civil rights activist, known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, became the “mother of the freedom movement.”
Who is Rosa Parks?
This holiday, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S.
What is Juneteenth?
This artist, known for his hit “Blinding Lights,” performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2021.
Who is The Weeknd?
This man was the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
Known for his roles in The Equalizer and Training Day, this actor became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2002 for his role in Training Day.
Who is Denzel Washington?
This historian, journalist, and activist co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a prominent figure in the fight for civil rights and women’s suffrage.
Who is Ida B. Wells?
This landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 led to the desegregation of public schools in the United States, marking a pivotal victory for the Civil Rights Movement.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
Known for fusing rock, funk, and R&B, this multi-talented musician and producer rose to fame with his 2006 solo debut St. Elsewhere as part of Gnarls Barkley.
Who is CeeLo Green?
Known as the “Father of Black History,” this historian and author established Negro History Week in 1926, which later became Black History Month.
Who is Carter G. Woodson?
This actor and director broke new ground with her roles in films like The Color Purple and as the first African American woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg?
This mathematician and physicist, whose calculations were crucial to the success of early space missions, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Her contributions to NASA’s space program were highlighted in the film Hidden Figures (2016).
Who is Katherine Johnson?
This historically Black university, founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., has produced numerous notable alumni, including Thurgood Marshall and Kamala Harris.
What is Howard University?
Known for her ethereal voice and eclectic style, this artist’s 1997 debut album Baduizm blended soul, jazz, and hip-hop, earning her comparisons to Billie Holiday and the nickname “Queen of Neo-Soul.”
Who is Erykah Badu?
his civil rights activist and former enslaved person became the first African American woman to win a major court case when she fought for her son’s freedom in 1850.
Who is Harriet Tubman?
This actor is known for his role as the first Black superhero in a major Marvel film, Blade (1998), a role that helped pave the way for Black Panther.
Who is Wesley Snipes?
This entrepreneur and philanthropist, often called the first self-made Black millionaire, made his fortune with his line of hair care products and helped improve the livelihoods of Black communities.
Who is Madam C.J. Walker?
This African American woman became the first Black student to attend the University of Oklahoma's law school in 1949 after successfully challenging the state’s racial segregation in the courts. Her case preceded the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Who is Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher?
This multi-instrumentalist and virtuoso guitarist, who gained recognition for her work with Prince, also won a Grammy for her 2019 album Ventura in the Best R&B Album category.
Who is H.E.R.?
In 1909, this activist and co-founder of the NAACP became the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University.
Who is W.E.B. Du Bois?
This actor made history in 1971 as the first African American actor to win the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in The Great White Hope, later becoming a renowned voice actor for Darth Vader in Star Wars.
Who is James Earl Jones?
This inventor and engineer is known for inventing the home security system, and was one of the first Black women to hold a patent for a home security device.
Who is Marie Van Brittan Brown?
This African American man became the first Black student to attend the University of Oklahoma in 1948, after challenging the state’s racial segregation policies. His case led to a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Who is George McLaurin?