Historical Movements & Events
This movement began in 2013 in response to police violence against black people. It became more popular during the 2020 pandemic.
What is Black Lives Matter?
This trailblazing ballerina became the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre in 2015, challenging traditional standards and expanding diversity in classical ballet.
Who is Misty Copeland?
This ophthalmologist is mostly known because she made a device called the laserphaco probe, which is used to treat cataracts & perform cataract surgery.
Who is Dr. Patricia Bath?
This pioneer was the first Black American to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
The first African American in the modern era to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who is Jackie Robinson?
This event was held in Washington, DC. It was a movement organized to bring about black unity and family values.
What is the Million Man March?
This cultural movement centered in Harlem celebrated Black art, music, literature, and performance, reshaping American culture between the 1920 and 1930's .
What is the Harlem Renaissance?
This inventor, engineer & entrepreneur created one of the top selling toys of all time, the Super Soaker water gun.
Who is Lonnie Johnson?
She was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first woman to run for the presidency.
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
This NBA player has earned six NBA championships; even after his retirement, he still has a popular tennis shoe named after him.
Who is Michael Jordan?
Many Black Americans moved from the South to Northern, Midwestern, and Western states to escape racial violence and pursue a better life during the early 1900's to the 1970's.
What is the Great Migration?
Known as the “First Lady of Song,” this jazz singer rose to fame in the 1930s and became a trailblazer for Black performers in music.
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
This computer engineer has made major contributions to the IBM computer processing system & is quoted as saying, “There may be obstacles, but there are no limits.”
Who is Mark Dean?
This powerful preacher and evangelist inspired many female ministers during her time. This Zionite was the first female to be ordained Elder.
Who was Rev. Julia Foote?
In 2023, she became the youngest American to win the US Open.
Who is Coco Gauff?
This group oroganized sponsored free community programs. This model started in Oakland, CA, but then spread throughout the US.
Who is the Black Panther Party?
This writer, playwright, and cultural historian was a central figure in the Black Arts Movement, using theater, poetry, and jazz criticism to challenge racism and promote Black liberation.
Who is Dr. Amiri Baraka?
This female African American physicist is known for her work in telecommunications, leading to inventions such as portable fax machines, touch-tone phones, caller ID & call waiting.
Who is Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson?
He became the first Black officer to reach the rank of General in 1940.
Who is General Benjamin O. Davis Sr.?
In 2023, she became the 100m world champion. She set a championship record of 10.65 seconds
Who is Sha’Carri Richardson?
Many Black Americans risked their lives so we could have the right to vote. This one Act was signed into law that banned literacy tests, poll taxes, and enforced the 15th Amendment.
What is The Voting Rights Act of 1965?
This ethnomusicologist founded the Archives of African American Music and Culture at Indiana University and is known for preserving and studying Black musical traditions across genres.
Who is Dr. Portia K. Maultsby?
This pioneering Black woman worked with the Navy to create the precise geodetic models necessary for the GPS to function.
Who is Dr. Gladys B. West?
This person founded the Political Science Department in 1929 at Howard University and was the first Black American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Who is Dr. Ralph J. Bunche?
This pioneering black football player and coach is known for breaking racial barriers in college football. He became the first African American to be drafted to the NFL from an HBCU.
Who is Robert H. "Stonewall" Jackson?