Jennifer Rosenberg is a historian and writer who specializes in 20th-century history. Others, like Black journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett and scholar W.E.B. Others, like Gen. Colin Powell, are notable political and military leaders. A list of famous African people who made a significant contribution to the world. Despite the fact that African Americans have been suppressed in every possible way for many centuries, they have a rich culture and history. The events of World War 2 helped to force social changes which included the desegregation of the U.S. military forces. DuBois, paved the way with their own contributions in the century's first decades. Black Americans have advocated for civil rights since the earliest days of the United States. Boxer; war protester; member, Nation of Islam; civil rights protester; poet. Vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist, actress, blues singer. The following individuals have been selected from thousands of examples of selfless acts, sacrificing, in some cases, their own lives for the betterment of all. A.K.A. Born a slave, she was freed when slavery … First African American elected to the U.S. Senate. From the earliest days of the African presence in the United States, blacks have contributed to the fiber of American culture, ranging from useful inventions to innovative musical interludes, and beyond. Recorded more than 30 Top-10 hits, won nearly two dozen Grammys, including one for lifetime achievement; been inducted into both the Rock and Roll, Songwriters halls of fame. He became an influential bishop and Christian writer. Civil War hero. Poet, memoirist, actress, civil rights activist. A.K.A. Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader, Civil Rights Movement Timeline From 1951 to 1959, 5 Men Who Inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. to Be a Leader, 6 Revealing Autobiographies by African American Thinkers, Civil Rights Movement Timeline From 1960 to 1964, Civil Rights Movement Timeline From 1965 to 1969, 10 of the Most Important Black Women in U.S. History, B.A., History, University of California at Davis. Many Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the Covid-19 vaccine, a wariness some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious … The civil war in America is important to learn since it leads the war between the northern and southern states. Includes Nelson Mandela, F.W. (Satchel Paige). First African-American woman to be a competitor on the world tennis tour. Contralto, best remembered for her performance on Easter Sunday, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The "Big Dipper;" regarded as one of the most dominant basketball players of all time. The "Black Babe Ruth;" catcher; elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, 1972; slugger credited with "about" 800 home runs. Entertainer, actor, comic, educator, television producer, philanthropist. One of the first African-American poets whose works were published. Co-founder, inspirational leader of the Black Panther party. Radical activist, member of the Black Panther party, working for racial, gender equity; prison abolition. Regarded as the best receiver ever to play the game; arguably the greatest football player ever; holder of 38 NFL records. Joshua Johnson, The Westwood Children, c. 1807, oil on canvas, Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, 1959.11.1 Joshua Johnson is America’s earliest-known professional African American artist. College All-American in football, lacrosse; Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. Prominent member of the Black Panther party; author of Soul on Ice. Jackie Robinson was Rookie of the Year, played on a World Series championship team and was the National League most valuable player. Barack Obama: 2008 election night rally President-elect Barack Obama waving to the crowd at a massive election night rally in Chicago's Grant Park on November 4, 2008. Hall of Famer; holds career mark for home runs, RBIs, other records. 1844-1929. The only NBA rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP Award. Known for his novel, Go Tell it on the Mountain. Singer, songwriter, producer, musician, humanitarian, social activist. This was a major event in the history of Civil Rights in the United States. This list of famous African Americans is a quick reference guide. Isabel Wilkerson, the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism, documented these movements in her 2010 book, which involved 15 years of … Here are 10 of them. Was able to make the calculations to predict solar and lunar eclipses and to compile an ephemeris for the Benjamin Banneker`s Almanac. Won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, embarrassing German dictator Adolf Hitler. Highest ranking African-American government official in history. Also the first African-American to be appointed United States Marine Corps officer was Frederick C. Branch, in 1945. Best known for his comic strip Krazy Kat. Most noted for inventing the multiple-effect evaporator, an energy-efficient means of evaporating water. It is implemented on their music, writing style, painting, art, clothes, hairstyle and many more. In 1831, led failed slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia; the most remarkable instance of black resistance to enslavement. But African Americans have been essential to all aspects of music, from opera singer Marian Anderson to pop icon Michael Jackson. 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