Muhammad Ali
A legendary boxer and outspoken activist, Ali is remembered for his courage both in and out of the ring.
Marian Anderson
A world-renowned contralto, she broke racial barriers in classical music, including her historic 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial.
Louis Armstrong
A pioneering jazz musician and singer, Armstrong is known for songs like “What a Wonderful World.”
Arthur Ashe
The first Black man to win titles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open.
Jim Brown
An exceptional NFL running back, he was also known for his work in civil rights and advocacy for social justice.
George Washington Carver
An agricultural scientist and inventor, Carver developed hundreds of products using peanuts and promoted sustainable farming.
Shirley Chisholm
The first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for a major party’s presidential nomination.
Bessie Coleman
The first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license, she became a daring stunt pilot and inspired future generations of aviators.
Frederick Douglas
An escaped slave who became a prominent abolitionist, writer, and speaker, advocating for the end of slavery and equal rights.
W.E.B. Du Bois
A co-founder of the NAACP and influential writer, Du Bois was a sociologist and advocate for racial equality and Pan-Africanism.
Ella Fitzgerald
Known as the “First Lady of Song,” Fitzgerald was a renowned jazz singer with a career spanning decades, winning 13 Grammy Awards.
Aretha Franklin
Known as the “Queen of Soul,” she was a legendary singer and songwriter, famous for hits like “Respect” and her impact on music and civil rights.
Althea Gibson
A trailblazing tennis player, she was the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam title.
Kamala Harris
The first woman, first Black woman, and first Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States.
Langston Hughes
A leading poet and writer of the Harlem Renaissance, he captured the Black experience in America through his poetry, plays, and essays.
Mae Jemison
The first Black woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
