Artists
American poet and civil rights activist who published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. Was the poet at President Clinton's inauguration.
Who is Maya Angelou?
Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights movement from 1955 until 1968. Orchestrated the 1965 voting rights act; gave over 2,000 speeches and received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Who is Dr. Martin Luther King?
A professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, and widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky
Who is Muhammad Ali?
An American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Think Thriller and the moonwalk.
Who is Michael Jackson?
An American politician, attorney and community organizer he served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African-American president of the United States!
Who is President Barack Obama?
An American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent as well as a graffiti artist in New York. Art work is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until May.
Who is Jean-Michel Basquiat?
An American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, famous for his speeches and writings. There are two murals dedicated to this person in Lower Roxbury.
Who is Frederick Douglass?
A businessman and former professional basketball player who played for 15 years with the Chicago Bulls and then the Washington Wizards. He collected 6 championships as a player with the Bulls. Today he is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association and of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series
Who is Michael Jordan?
An American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death in 1964.
Who is Duke Ellington?
A United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was the first black Brigadier general in the United States Air Force. On December 9, 1998, he was advanced to four-star general by President Bill Clinton.
Who is Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr.?
An American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist. His essays, collected in Notes of a Native Son, explore racial and class distinctions in the the United States.
Who is James Baldwin?
An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. Recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Who is Madam C.J. Walker?
An American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. He broke the baseball color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Watch the movie 42 to learn more of his story.
Who is Jackie Robinson?
An American singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist. Began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Known as the Queen of Soul. She was one of the best-selling artists of all time with 75 million records sold worldwide.
Who is Aretha Franklin?
An American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first U.S. spaceflights. The movie Hidden Figures tells her story.
Who is Katherine Johnson?
An African-American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded a famous American Dance Theater.
Who is Alvin Ailey?
A politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
A professional tennis player and former world No. 1 in women's single tennis. She's won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era, and the second-most of all time behind Margaret Court.
Who is Serena Williams?
A record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record 80 Grammy Award nominations, 28 Grammys, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
Who is Quincy Jones?
A doctor who researched blood transfusions and improved techniques for blood storage. His work helped develop large-scale blood banks early in World War II.
Who is Charles Richard Drew?
A playwright who has been referred to as the "theater's poet of Black America". Best known for a series of ten plays including Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone and The Piano Lesson.
Who is August Wilson?
A Muslim minister and human rights activist for the Civil Rights movement. Best known for time spent as a vocal spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Lived in Boston and was popularized in the recent movie, One Night in Miami.
Who is Malcolm X?
An American track and field athlete and four-time gold medalist in the 1936 Olympic Games. Specialized in the sprints and the long jump and was recognized in his lifetime as "perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history"
Who is Jesse Owens?
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as xxxx, is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive, businessman, and record producer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history, and one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Who is Jay Z?
A lawyer and Civil Rights activist who served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court's first African-American justice.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?