Black History Month

Currently holds the world record in the heptathlon for women; despite having asthma, she has won three Olympic medals

Named U.S. poet laureate during Bill Clinton's administration; author of I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

1st African American woman to speak publicly against slavery; worked with freed slaves and nursed wounded black soldiers

Nicknamed "Satchmo"; famous trumpet player; revolutionized jazz; sang about it being "...a wonderful world" 1901-1971

First Black woman to be voted to Vice President of United States

First black singer to perform in a production at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City

Her show was originally called "A.M. Chicago"; she was in the movie THE COLOR PURPLE

"Arguably the greatest fighter of all time."; took the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics; born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.

First African American woman to receive an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actress

Famous abolitionist who published the abolitionist newspaper, NORTH STAR; "father of the civil rights movement"

First African American to receive an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor

She became the first black woman to travel into space; selected to the STS-47 mission, orbited the Earth for 8 days

Famous film maker whose films include DO THE RIGHT THING and MALCOLM X

Headed the Anti-Lynching League; Founded Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago; perhaps the most famous black female journalis

Famous Jazz Pianist and composer who composed musicals, reviews, an opera, film scores, and television productions.

Most respected and influential Civil Rights Leader of the 20th century; known for non-violence; tragically assassinated

Received his first Academy Award nomination for CRY FREEDOM; 2nd African American to win an Oscar for Best Actor

Broke down racial barriers in the game of tennis; first black male to win the U.S. tennis championship and Wimbledon

Author of THE COLOR PURPLE, whose film version was directed by Steven Spielberg;

Founder of the Rainbow Coalition; two-time candidate for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination

1st African American woman elected to U.S. Congress; 1st African American to campaign for presidential nomination

First African American baseball; named Rookie of the Year in 1947; played for the Brooklyn Dodgers

Was president of Tuskegee Institute; founded National Negro Business League; author of UP FROM SLAVERY 1856 - 1915

Known for her use of the "underground railroad"; led some 300 African slaves out of slavery in

Four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics while Hitler watched him defeating Germany's Aryan athletes; track and field star