Civil Rights Movement
Iconic civil rights leader known for his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963
Martin Luther King Jr.
Black American artist is often called the “King of Pop” and is famous for his albums “Thriller” and “Off the Wall”
Michael Jackson
Popular television show, which originally aired from 1990 to 1996, starred Will Smith as a street-smart teenager from Philadelphia living with his wealthy relatives in Los Angeles
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
NBA basketball star who won 6 NBA Championships, holds the highest scoring average, and won 3 all star MVP trophies.
Michael Jordan
The first Black American woman in space, flying aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992
Mae Jemison
The landmark Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional
Brown v. Board of Education
Black American artist released the groundbreaking album “What’s Going On” in 1971, addressing social and political issues of the time
Marvin Gaye
Acclaimed director is known for films such as “Malcolm X,” “Do the Right Thing,” and “BlacKkKlansman”
Spike Lee
Black American baseball player broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947
Jackie Robinson
The Black American mathematician and NASA scientist portrayed in the film “Hidden Figures” for her pivotal role in the early days of the U.S. space program
Katherine Johnson
The first Black American Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 1967
Thurgood Marshall
First woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and was known for her soulful singing
Ella Fitzgerald
Black American actor and comedian known for his roles in “The Nutty Professor” and “Coming to America”
Eddie Murphy
Who was the first Black National League baseball player to hit 600 home runs?
Willie Mays
Black American inventor and engineer known for his contributions to the development of the gas mask and the traffic signal
Garrett Morgan
Civil Rights Movement activist, known for her powerful singing voice, was also called the “Queen of Gospel”
Mahalia Jackson
the “High Priestess of Soul” and is famous for her unique blend of jazz, blues and gospel music
Nina Simone
The first African American to win an Academy Award
Hattie McDaniel
"Thrilla in Manila" refers to what sporting event
Championship fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali
Black American inventor and agricultural chemist developed innovative methods for crop rotation and soil conservation
George Washington Carver
Black woman who became the first major-party Black candidate for President of the United States in 1972
Shirley Chisholm
Lena Horne won a Tony award for her work in this Broadway show
A Lady and her Music
Filmmaker who became the first ever black woman to direct a film that grossed over $100 million at the box office.
Ava DuVernay
First Black Woman to capture multiple medals in the 1960 Olympic Games for track and field
Wilma Rudolph
Black American engineer and inventor was awarded more than 50 patents and is known for his contributions to the development of the Super Soaker water gun
Lonnie G. Johnson