Inventors & Inventions
Sarah Boone, African-American woman who was born a slave was one of the first black women in U.S. history to receive a patent when she expanded upon this common household product that was essentially a wooden block.
What is an ironing board?
One of the first black women, largely unknown, to reach millionaire status did so by launching a hair care empire.
Who is Annie Turnbo Malone ?
This court case reversed Plessy v. Ferguson "separate but equal" ruling.
What is Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954).
A member of the Rastafarian movement, his music combined the spiritual essence of his religion with powerful lyricism and inspirational messages.
Who is Bob Marley?
First African-American to win an Academy Award in 1940.
Who is Hattie McDaniel?
This African-American nurse co-invented the first home security system in 1966.
Who is Mary Van Brittan Brown?
First African-American woman elected to U.S. House of Representatives and the first female candidate to run for the president of the United States.
This amendment granted due process and equal protection under the law to African Americans.
What is the 14th Amendment?
Known as the ‘First Lady of Song’, a significant contributor to the Jazz genre she was the first African-American woman to win a Grammy.
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
This actress has been nominated for 13 Emmy Awards and won an Emmy Award, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, AND an Academy Award.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg?
After his mother died of heart failure Otis Boykin improved this medical device. A contribution that has saved countless lives since.
What is the pacemaker?
First black woman to win Best Director at the Sundance Film festival.
Who is Ava DuVernay?
In the 1700s, these laws prescribed and enforced appropriate public dress for Black women in Louisiana. One restriction was for them to wear head wraps because their beautiful, elaborate hairstyles were considered a threat to the status quo.
What are Tignon Laws?
American vocalist and jazz pianist this musician recorded over one hundred songs that became hits on the pop charts and was the first African-American man to host an American television series.
Who is Nat King Cole?
The first black actress to star in her own TV series.
Who is Ethel Waters?
The first black woman to earn a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led research to develop caller ID and call waiting functions while working at AT&T Bell Laboratories in the 1970s.
Who is Shirley Ann Jackson?
First black American to become a vice president at Ford Motor Company.
Who is Elliot Sawyer Hall?
This decision ruled that the prohibition on interracial marriage was unconstitutional. Sixteen states that still banned interracial marriage at the time were forced to revise their laws.
What is Loving v. Virginia?
The first African American musician to perform at the White House.
Who is Thomas Wiggins?
This actor has become Cannes first Black Jury Head.
Who is Spike Lee?
The Centennial Light is the world's longest-lasting light bulb, burning since 1901, and almost never switched off. Its longevity can be attributed to its carbon filament created and patented by this person.
Who is Lewis Latimer?
First movie company owned and controlled by black filmmakers.
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company, 1916-1921
This United States Supreme Court case decision found certain grandfather clause exemptions to literacy tests for voting rights to be unconstitutional. Though these grandfather clauses were superficially race neutral, they were designed to protect the voting rights of illiterate white voters while disenfranchising black voters.
What is Guinn v. United States?
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1972) and “Killing Me Softly With His Song” (1973) both won Record and Song of the Year Grammy's and reached #1 on the Billboard pop charts, making her the first African-American solo female singer to have two solo #1 pop hits
Who is Roberta Flack?
With his win, this actor made history not only as a black actor but also as a Muslim, becoming the first actor in his faith to win an Oscar.
Who is Mahershala Ali?