Martin Luther King, Jr.
A leader of the Civil Rights Movement, he is remembered for his “I Have a Dream” speech and his dedication to achieving equality through nonviolent protest.
John Lewis
A civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman, he was a key figure in the Selma to Montgomery marches and devoted his life to activism.
Nelson Mandela
An anti-apartheid revolutionary, Mandela became South Africa’s first Black president and a global symbol of peace.
Thurgood Marshall
The first Black Supreme Court Justice, Marshall was a key figure in the civil rights movement and won the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.
Barack Obama
The 44th president of the United States and the first African American to hold the office, he served two terms and made contributions to healthcare reform.
Michelle Obama
The first African American First Lady of the United States, she is an advocate for education, healthy eating, and women’s rights.
Jesse Owens
A track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Rosa Parks
Known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” her refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Sidney Poitier
An Oscar-winning actor, Poitier broke racial barriers in Hollywood.
Jackie Robinson
The first Black player in Major League Baseball, Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and paved the way for racial integration in sports.
Bill Russell
An NBA legend, Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships and became a prominent civil rights advocate.
Sojourner Truth
An abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, she is famous for her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech and dedication to social justice.
Harriet Tubman
Known as the “Moses of her people,” she escaped slavery and helped hundreds gain freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Madam C.J. Walker
The first self-made Black female millionaire in America, she created a successful line of hair care products for Black women.
Booker T. Washington
An influential educator and founder of Tuskegee University, he promoted economic independence as a path to racial equality.
Serena Williams
A tennis superstar, she holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles and is known for her powerful influence both in sports and as an advocate for equality.
