Black History

Fa!er of Black H"tory

Ca#er G. Woodson

•Was the founder of “Negro Achievement Week”, later evolving into Black History Month •Made it his life’s’ work to learn about the origins of the African Americans •Also used numerous bulletins like the “Negro History Bulletin” and public press of his own to educate the black community •Founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) •The second African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University •Member of Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Slavery Frede$ck Augu&us D%glass

Soj%rner Tru!

• Was the counter example of slaveholder’s saying that slaves did

• Was among the first group of women to be inducted into

not possess the skills and intellect to function as an American

•Was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame

• Wrote several autobiographies about his life such as “Narrative

her son and became the first African American women to

• The first African American to be nominated for vice president

citizen

the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame

of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American slave

• Women’s Rights Activist that went to court to recover

of the U.S. as the running mate of Victoria Woodhull

win a case against a white man

Active supporter of Women’s Suffrage

•

Author of the extemporaneous speech “ Ain’t I a

•

Strong believer in equality

•

Woman” which was first heard in 1851 at the Ohio

• Speaking eloquently at the first Women’s Rights Convention

Women’s Rights Convention.

helped to pass the right for women to vote and run for office

• Truth also helped recruit black troops for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln

• He was the 16th president of the United States

•

W.E.B. DuBo"

• The first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard university

•

One of the co-founders of the NAACP

• The leader of the Niagara Movement, an activist group who wanted equal rights for blacks

•

•

Abolished Slavery

Assassinated in April 1865

Har$et Tubman

• Was the first women to work as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War

• Was also known as “Moses” for leading her people to freedom •

She was also one of the biggest users of the anti-slavery

•

After the Civil War she became active in the support of

network known as the “Underground Railroad”

Editor of the NAACP’s journal “The Crisis”

• Prolific Author of the works “The Souls Of Black Folk” and “Black Reconstruction in America”

She helped in the liberation of over 700 slaves

•

Women’s Suffrage

Af$can Ame$can H"tory in Politics

Jefferson Franklin Long

•

First African American Congressman from Georgia

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First African American to speak on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives

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Member of The Republican Party

Ronald (Ron) H. Bro*

• First African American to hold the position of Secretary of Commerce in the term of Bill Clinton

• First African American member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity •

Franc" L%" Cardozo

He was aVeteran of the U.S. Army

• Brown was killed in a plane crash that was considered to be a

“conspiracy”

•

Jona!an Ja(er W$ght

First African American to be admitted to practice law in

Pennsylvania • First African American to hold a statewide• After his death, Widow Alma Brown, was presented with the •He was Vice President for Constitutional Convention of S.C. and Presidential Citizens Medal by Bill Clinton office in the U.S. after being elected Secretary helped draft the Judiciary Section of the State Constitution which • There is also a Ronald Brown American Innovator Award, of State is still used today and a Ron Brown Award given in his honor • He was ordained a Presbyterian Minister • First African American to serve as a Judge for on the Supreme • Served as a delegate to the Constitutional Court in S.C. from 1870 - 77 Convention in S.C. in 1868

Civil Rights

Byron de la BeckWith/ Medgar Evers

Kweisi Mfume •

With his name literally translating into “conquering son of kings” he

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He also simultaneously held the position of president and CEO of the

•

Became chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus

•

He was a member of the Prince Hall Free Masons

•

He restored the NAACP’s 4.5 million debt problem

•

First African American state field secretary of the NAACP in

• First African American mayor of a racially mixed Southern town since

Movement NAACP in Feb 1996

Veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the NAACP Mississippi.

became the president of the NAACP in support of the Civil Rights •

•

•

A huge leader of the Civil Rights

the Reconstruction.

• Shot to death by white segregationist, Byron de la Beakwith, but took three trials to finally convict and imprison him.

Movement • Preached the methods of nonviolence taught to him by his mentor Mahatma Gandhi • He was a historic icon for the Modern American Liberalism • This Baptist minister was the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and one of the founders of the Southern Christian

Malcolm X

•

He was also the youngest person to

•

Also was awarded the Presidential

Topeka Kan and was the first African American women to argue a case

Medal of Honor, the Congressional Gold

before the Supreme Court

based on a foundation of lies, and later left the Nation ventured to the Middle East founded Muslim Mosque Inc •

After a year of embracing works with Civil Rights Activists and speaking out about the Nation of Islam he was assassinated by three members of the NOI .

Motley had a major impact on ending racial discrimination

where he delivered his famous speech “I • Stood as the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund’s associate counsel while have a dream” working with the future U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood

leaders

• Upon arrival back to the U.S. with his new outlook on life, Malcolm

Motley’s mother was the founder of the New Haven chapter of the NAACP

in the March on Washington movement •

his calling to the Nation of Islam and soon became one of its faithful In later years, Malcolm found that the nation he pledged for was

•

Leadership Conference that participated

• After being sent to prison for breaking and entering, Malcolm found

•

Constance Baker Motley

receive the Nobel Peace Prize

Marshall • Wrote the original complaint for the Brown vs. Board of Education of

Medal, and had a U.S. Federal holiday • First African American women to be elected to the New York State named after him.

Senate in 1964 and to the Manhattan borough presidency in 1965In 1966, she became the first African American women on the federal bench and in 1982 became the first to become a chief judge.

• His legacy about integration lived on making him one of the greatest

• Awarded the Presidential Citizen’s Medal by President Bill Clinton for

influential African Americans in history

her achievements to the Nation.

Sports

Michael Jeffrey Jordan • •

Is considered the greatest basketball player of all time Awarded five MVP awards, ten time All-NBA 1st Team designations, nine time All Defensive First Team honors, three time All Star MVP awards, ten scoring titles, • He holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average • In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press’s list of athletes of the century • Was inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 2009 • Made Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers a huge success

Cassius Clay/ Muhammad Ali

• Was a member of the Nation of Islam in 1964 • After refusal to be drafted into the US military, Ali inspired Dr. MLK to publicly announce his views against the Vietnam War • After being cleared by the US Supreme court for wrongful charges, Ali became the first and only three time World Heavyweight Champion • Also known as “The Greatest” or “The People’s Champ”, Ali changed the face of boxing with his unique fighting style, and techniques like the rope-a-dope and the Ali shuffle • Forever taunting his opponents with the quote “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, Ali became the most famous athlete in the world in his time

Jackie Robinson • A 2LT Veteran of a calvary unit in the U.S. Army • First black major league baseball player of the modern era • Was a significant symbol of the end of racial segregation and also greatly contributed to the Civil Rights Movement • Played over ten seasons including six World Series and helped Dodgers win the World Championship in 1955 • Received the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award , National League Most Valuable Player, and inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame • He was the first black television analyst in Major League Baseball • the first black vice-president of a major American corporation • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor and the Congressional Gold Medal

James Nathaniel “Jim” Brown • • • • •

Known as the greatest professional football player to ever live Jim brown’s career rushing yards of 12,312 is a measuring stick for current NFL running backs He was the first player ever to reach the 100 rushing touchdown milestone Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of fame in 1971 Was the leading rusher for the Cleveland Browns even after retiring from football at age 29

Music

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Eunice Kathleen Waymon “Nina Simone”•

Known as the “High Priestess of Soul” After being rejected from the Curtis institute of Music because of her race in her early music career, Nina began writing songs that had a messages about Civil Rights and became very involved in the movement.

• Nina also had a brief fame in Europe after the rerelease of her song “My Baby Just Cares For Me” featured in a “Chanel No. 5” perfume commercial.

• Simone’s music and life had great impacts and influences on people and many artist today such as Christina Aguilera, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Kanye West, • John Legend, and Alicia Keys • • •

Michael Jackson

Also known as the “King of Pop”, Guinness World Records deemed him the most successful entertainer of all time His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades and changed the face of music forever MJ’s album “thriller” is the best selling album of all time

•

• • • •

Mamie Smith

Tupac “Makaveli” Shakur

Sold over 75 million albums world wide making him one of the best selling music artists in the world Was ranked number 6 of the 100 immortal artists of all time Inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Inducted to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2010 for “Dear Mama” Rapped about racism, social problems, hardships in inner cities and problems dealing with the east-west coast rival

Known as the “Queen of Blues” First African American female artist to make vocal blues recordings in 1920 • One of the creators and singer of “Crazy Blues” which was inducted into the Grammy hall of fame in 1994 • After releasing “Crazy Blues” sung by Smith, the era for classic female blues emerged • Also pursued a film career, starring in the “lost film” “Jailhouse Blues”, “Murder on Lenox Avenue”, and “Paradise in Harlem”

Science

Benjamin Banneker

Was the first African American scientist, astronomer, mathematician, and almanac writer • He is a member of a the Prince Hall Masons • He would publish his views on slavery in his almanacs and through conversation in letters with Thomas Jefferson • Was apart of a expedition that conducted the federal district boundary survey on the land used that is now founded as Washington D.C. • Known as “The Man who Saved Washington” because he generated the plans for construction of the city from his memory after Pierre Charles L’Enfant was dismissed as head of the plan.

• Was also put into the category of the 100 of the Greatest African Americans •

Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. • Astronaut for NASA that has gone on two different excursions into space for research.

• First African American to perform an extra vehicular activity or walk in space.

• He is a member of or holds a political position in over 17 different non-profit, medical, or space associations • Has received over 20 honors and awards including an Achievement Award from the Association of Black Cardiologist and Distinguished Scientist of the Year.

Ernest E. Just

• Known for his recognition of the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms.

• Also known for his works in Marine Biology, Cytology, Parthenogenesis • In 1907, he was the only person to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with a degree in Biology, special honors in Botany and History, and honors in Sociology.

• Recipient of the first Spingarn Medal from the NAACP • Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Chicago • One of the founders of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

• • • • •

Dr. George Washington Carver

Was a well known scientist that promoted alternative crops such as cotton and peanut butter He synthesized numerous products such as cosmetics, dyes, paint, gasoline and various food sources using peanuts Received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP along with numerous other awards and honors for his scientific works Developed and led the department of agriculture for 47 years at Tuskegee university He also formulated crop rotation for farmers so that nitrogen regeneration could occur in farmer soil and be reused for many for many years

Scholars

Alice Walker

Charlayne Alberta Hunter-Gault

• One of the first African-Americans to enroll in the University of Georgia • The first African American to graduate from this institute • Has two Emmy’s and a Peabody for excellence in Broadcast Journalism for her work in South Africa using her networking and journalism skills to cover issues and life in that community.

She also received Journalist of the Year Award, the 1990 • Sidney Hillman Award and the Good Housekeeping Broadcast Personality of the Year Award for starters

Toni Morrison

• Famous novelist recipient of the Pulitzer Prize (1987) and the Nobel prize for Literature (1997) •Author of the well known epic “Beloved” that won her the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award • Her Novel “Song of Solomon” won the National Book Critic Circle Award • She was selected for the federal government’s highest honor of achievement for humanities, the Jefferson Lecture, entitled “The Future of Time: Literature for Diminished Expectations” •In 1996 she was awarded “the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters”

Booker T. Washington

•Was believed to be the last generation of black leaders to be born into slavery Spoke on behalf of the black • community that lost their right to vote because of Disfransement He was considered the first new • leader of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama • He believed that to win the fight of politics, our community in the South, would need to demonstrate intelligence, industry and thrift amongst other things. With this he built strong networks within the black community along with the strength of rich Northern whites to further education and better the quality of life for the black community in the South He was also a renowned author • publishing 14 books along with his autobiography “Up from Slavery” • With his work in educating the black community in not only simple fundamental skills, but in the legal system as well, this set the plane for the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s and helped to pass federal civil rights

• Author and Pulitzer prize winner for “the Color Purple” • First women to receive “The National Book Award” • Inducted into the California Hall of Fame • Named “Humanist of the Year” in 1997

Melvin B. Tolson • Graduated with honors from Lincoln University in PA and became a member of the Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity • Became a well known professor at the small historically black college, Wiley • Founded the Wiley Forensic Society and debate team that broke the color barriers and defeated the team from the University of Southern California • Co-founded the black intercollegiate Southern Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts at Wiley College and mentored a lot of the student body there teaching them to be well rounded and fight for their rights.

Was also a great poet writing “Dark • Harmony” ,“Rendezvous with America” , and “Libretto for the Republic of Liberia”

Success in the Public Eye

Russell Simmons One of the founders of the label Def Jam • Created the fashion line Phat Farm • Being the third richest figure in hip-hop, he has numerous • branches that have expanded from his label Def Jam • Simmons also gives back to the community by being a huge supporter of ending farm animal cruelty. He is a loyal member of Farm Sanctuary • He was also awarded the 2001 PETA humanitarian Award and the Person of the Year award in 2011.

• He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Slavery Memorial and a supporter of the Somaly Mam Founation and gay rights

Sammy Davis Jr Was apart of Special Forces in the U.S. Army • Was known for his membership in the“Rat Pack” • • Faced with racism his entire life, davis was a huge supporter of the Civil Rights Movement • Took up photography in his childhood and mastered shooting weapons which helped show off his “gun slinging skills”in Westerns he appeared in.

• Davis received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, along with many other awards such as NAACP Image Award, NAACP Spingarn Medal Award, and many others.

• He was also induced into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award

Will “Fresh Prince” Smith • Has been named the“Most Powerful Actor in Hollywood” • He is the only actor to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office and the only one to have eight consecutive films in which he starred open at #1 spot in the domestic box office tally.

• His is in the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three premieres in a 24 hour time span • Being a huge student of all religions, Will has donated 1.3 million dollars to charities mostly teaching Scientology and Christian ministries.

• Will and Jada have also founded a private elementary school, New Village Leadership Academy, that uses “Study Technology”

Sydney Poitier

First to win an Academy Award for Best Actor • • Was ranked on of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute Veteran of the U.S. Army • • Starred in the first production of “A Raisin In the Sun” Became the Ambassador of Japan in 1997 • • Awarded an Honorary Academy Award for his overall contribution to American cinema • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in Aug of 2009

Military Black History

The Tuskegee Airmen: Were young determined black men from all over the United States who enlisted to serve their country as the first black military airmen. There were many in America who believed that black men did not possess the skills, intelligence, the intestinal fortitude or the sense of patriotic duty. Every one of these men wanted to serve The United States of American as best he could.

The men that passed physical and mental testing were assigned to be trained as aviators on single engine and later multi engine aircraft. They would be pilots, navigators, or bombardiers. Many of these young men were college graduates or undergraduates. Some others passed academic entrance exams.

The qualification standards were not lowered for the pilots or any of the other officer based jobs that make up a fighter squadron. Their standards had to be the same as any other fully operational Army Air Corps flying squadron or ground support unit.

The black airmen who became pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee, Alabama. The first class of pilots began training in July of 1941 and finished up their training nine months later in March 1942. The first class of cadet started out with thirteen and five successfully completed the pilot training. The most notable of the five was West Point Academy graduate Captain Benjamin O. Davis was one of the five. The four other graduates were commissioned as second Lt’s and all five received Army Air Corp silver pilot wings.

Nine hundred ninety six graduates from TAAF received commissions and pilot wings from 1941 to 1946. Others, such as navigators, bombardiers, and gunnery crews trained a various bases around the United States. Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois served as a training facility for mechanics until a separate training facility was built at TAAF in 1942.

Of the pilots trained at TAAF four hundred fifty served in overseas campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy from April 1943 until July 1944. They were in the 99th Pursuit Squadron (99th Fighter Squadron) or the 332nd Fighter Group. The 99th Fighter Squadron trained in and flew combat missions in the P-40 Warhawk.

These brave men fought with distinction, intelligence, and courage and their wartime records reflect their dedication to show what a black man could do given an opportunity. Not only did they fight the enemy in the air, but they fought with bigotry and racism on the ground from some members of their service and country. The skill, bravery, and patriotism showed by these black airmen in World War II are unmatched.

Lt. Colonel Lee Archer: (September 6, 1919 – January 27, 2010) was one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He attended college at New York University. After graduation he wanted to be pilot, but at the time blacks were not allowed to serve as pilots. He would join the Army become a communicator stationed in Georgia. Once the policies toward a black man becoming a pilot changed, he applied and was accepted to go through pilot training at Tuskegee Army Field in Alabama. Archer is the only one of Tuskegee Airman to be officially designated an “Ace” (A pilot who shoots down 5 enemy aircraft in air to air combat).

Col. Archer flew 169 combat missions in the European Theater during World War II. Col. Archer flew a P-51c Mustang named “Ina The Macon Belle”, named for his wife Ina Burdell Archer. He was honored by the American Fighter Aces Association. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross among many other awards during his time in service. He served in both the United States Army and United States Air Force from 1941 until 1970. After his time in the military, Col. Archer spent many years in corporate America, serving as a VP in the General Foods Corporation, and he is the founder of Archer Asset Management.

Col. Archer and two Tuskegee vets went to Iraq in October of 2005 to visit with the troops of the successor to his all black unit. Col. Archer died in January of 2010 at the age of 90. His Memorial was held at Riverside Church in NYC. He was eulogized by Commentator and Entertainer Dr. Bill Cosby.

Henry O. Flipper: Second Lieutenant became the first black to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

At the age of 21 he was posted to the Tenth US Calvary in July of 1877, one of two black Calvary Regiments mobilized after the Civil War. His military career was cut short in 1882 when he was courtmartialed for Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman.

He was discharged from the service. He went on to have a very eventful life working as a Translator, Engineer, and in the Department of Justice as a special agent for the Court of Private Land Claims. He worked as a resident engineer for a firm in Mexico. He worked other various jobs for the government. He also tried until his death to clear his name. He was not successful.

He died in 1940 at the age of 84. In 1976 the Army reviewed his records and posthumously awarded him an Honorable Discharge dating back to 30 June 1882. In 1999 he was given a full pardon by President Bill Clinton. The pardon that was given to this pioneer, was a vindication that had been long overdue.

Cite page Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 29 FEB 2012. Web. 27 FEB. 2012.

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