HISTORY IS OURS

Become a Leader who is Active, Courageous and Kind!

History Includes Strong, Talented, Optimistic, Respectful Youths,

with Motivational Opportunities to Never give up Through Hope.

Here is a list I made with other influential blacks that made history.

Sports:

Jackie Robinson- Became the first African American to play in U.S. Major League Baseball. Became a full-fledged leader in the Civil Rights movement

Colin Kaepernick - Knelt down for Black Americans. Civil activist for BLM

Muhammad Ali- One of the greatest professional boxers of all time. He was also a philanthropist, humanitarian, and activist that advocated for civil rights and religious freedom. Ali earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and supported organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.

Willie O’ Ree- First black NHL Player with the Boston Bruins

Serena Williams- First African- American woman to win singles championships in Tennis. She revolutionized tennis for women. She was winning more Grand Slam singles titles than any other man.

Micheal Jordan- Empowered others not only through his voice but by providing power. Transformed the style of basketball.

Activists:

Jean Augustine- Canadian who fought for the rights of blacks .. and in 1995, wanted blacks to celebrate Black History Month

Viola Davis Desmond- Canadian Activist who refused to leave a whites-only area at the movie theatre. She is on the $10 bill, the first Black woman to appear on Canadian currency.

Maya Angelo- American poet, singer, memoirist and civil rights activist

Malcolm X- African American Muslim minister and a courageous leader who advocates for the rights of African Americans

Frederick Douglass- Former an enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author and. Public speaker

Ella Baker - Backbone of the civil rights movements. she developed a grassroots approach as an NAACP field secretary to gather and convince black people of the group’s message — a vision that holds true today — that a society of individuals can and should exist “without discrimination based on race.”

John Lewis, a Civil Rights movement leader, challenged Jim Crow segregation and oppression across the South through nonviolent protests.

Ida B wells - Led an anti-lynching crusade in the USA in the 1890s

Medgar Evers- Was a World War II veteran and Civil Rights leader. He was the NAACP’s first field officer in Mississippi. He helped lead protests against the segregation of public primary schools, beaches and parks

Lincoln Alexander- First Black Canadian member of Parliament in the House of Commons and the first Black federal Cabinet Minister

Isaac Phills- First Black man to receive the Order of Canada

Science/ Math:

George Washington Carver - Agricultural scientist and inventor. Promoted methods to prevent soil depletion

Katherine Johnson - In 1958, she became the first female engineer at Nasa.

Mae Jemison- First Black woman to travel to space

Tv:

Oprah Winfrey - The first African American woman to own a television production company. Winfrey worked to pass the National Child Protection Act.

Steve Harvey- Inspirational tv show host that influences many black

Music:

Fela Kuti - Nigerian musician and activist who launched a modern style of music called Afro-beat, which fused American blues, jazz, and funk with traditional Yoruba music.

Mama Thornton - Blues singer and songwriter whose recordings were played by Elvis

Whitney Houston- Musical activist who contributed money and time to charities that support AIDS.

Aretha Franklin- Many saw her as a symbol of Black America itself. In June 1963, organized the Walk to Freedom, which was the most extensive civil rights demo in history for a little while

Stevie Wonder- A humanitarian who used his music to support multiple causes. Supported the civil rights movement

Micheal Jackson- First black artist to have a video in a regular rotation on MTV. Challenged racial boundaries and revolutionized the music industry

Marvin Gaye- Inspirational musical figure who fought for justice and equality. A successful career with Motown

The Notorious B.I.G - One of the biggest influencers in music today!

Alicia Keys- Musical activist who uses her platform to empower blacks

Bob Marley- The very first international superstar to emerge from the so-called Third World. Influential performer and promoter of reggae music

James Brown- Musical activist who encouraged ‘patriotism and overcoming adversity in America.’ Spoke against racism, sexism, and education almost children.

Inventors:

Elijah McCoy: Invented lubricant for locomotive steam engines to prevent the engine from overheating.

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner- Invented a self-oiling door hinge to stop a squeaky door and the sanitary napkin belt for women.

Garrett Morgan- Inventor of the Three-Light Traffic Light

Benjamin Banneker- The inventor of the clock

Alexander Miles- The inventor of Automatic Elevator Doors

George T. Sampson- The inventor of the Clothes Dryer and sled propeller

Frederick McKinley Jones- The inventor of Refrigerated trucks

Marie Van Brittan Brown- The inventor of the Home Security System

Charles Richard Drew- The inventor of Blood Banks

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson- The inventor of the Fiber-Optic Cable

James E West- Co-invented the Microphone

Lewis Latimer- Invented the Carbon Light Bulb

Philip Downing- Invented the street mailbox

Otis Boykin- Invented the pacemaker

George Washington Carver- Famous for his idea of peanut butter

Bishop Curry V- Invented a device to help prevent infant deaths in hot cars

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! BLACK IS EVERYWHERE!!!

We CAN DO ANYTHING WE PUT OUR MINDS TO!!!

References:

30 civil rights leaders of the past and present. (2023, February 8). Oprah Daily. https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/g35181270/civil-rights-leaders/

31 history-making Black Americans everyone should know. (2023, February 1). Oprah Daily. ​​https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g25954127/african-american-historical-figures/

9 African American inventors who changed the world. (2023, January 27). BahaiTeachings.org. https://bahaiteachings.org/african-american-inventions-that-changed-the-world/

About. (2022, May 2). NAACP. https://naacp.org/about

African American heroes. (n.d.). National Geographic. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/topic/african-american-heroes

Notable African Americans who helped change the world. (2023, February 14). 6abc Philadelphia. https://6abc.com/black-history-month-notable-african-americans-most-influential-famous-people/5888312/

The NSLS. (n.d.). Celebrating some of the most influential African American leaders. NSLS | The National Society of Leadership and Success. https://www.nsls.org/blog/african-american-leaders-in-history

Roberts, A. (2022, March 1). 10 Black Canadians who played a big role in Canadian history. Slice. https://www.slice.ca/black-canadians-who-played-a-big-role-in-canadian-history/