Oliver Lewis was a trailblazing athlete who made history as the first winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1875. At just 19 years old, Lewis rode the colt Aristides to victory, launching what would become one of the most iconic events in American sports. 

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. She graduated from the New England Female Medical College in 1864 at a time when both women and African Americans faced enormous barriers in higher education and the medical profession. 

Max Robinson was a journalist who became the first African American news anchor on a national television network in the United States. In 1978, he co-anchored ABC World News Tonight, breaking racial barriers in the world of broadcast news. 

Eunice Carter was the first African American woman prosecutor in the United States and a pioneering lawyer who helped fight organized crime in the early 1900s. She played a key role in bringing down notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano by using her sharp legal skills to build a strong case against him. 

Jane Bolin was an American judge and civil rights advocate. In 1939, she made history as the first Black woman to become a judge in the United States. She dedicated her career to fighting racial discrimination and advocating for children's rights and equal access to justice. Her work helped reform the family court system, ensuring fairness for children of all backgrounds. 

Marshall "Major" Taylor was the first African American to achieve international fame as a professional cyclist and one of the fastest men in the world during his time. Born in Indiana, Taylor broke racial barriers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, winning the world 1-mile track cycling championship in 1899, becoming the first Black world champion in cycling, and only the second Black world champion in any sport. Despite facing intense racism both on and off the track, Taylor's resilience and talent made him a global sports icon.

Frederick Mckinley Jones was an inventor who created the first automatic refrigeration system for trucks, changing how food and medicine are transported around the world. He held over 60 patents and was the first African American awarded the National Medal of Technology, recognizing his lasting impact on modern life. 

Althea Gibson was the first Black player to compete internationally in tennis, winning 11 Grand Slam titles including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Later, she also made history as one of the first Black women to compete professionally in golf, making history in two sports.

Bessie Coleman was an aviator who became the first African American woman and first Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Because no flight schools in the U.S. accepted Black women at the time, she traveled to France in 1921 to earn her license. Known for her fearless flying and daring aerial stunts, Coleman broke both racial and gender barriers in aviation.