Black Musicians & Writers
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018), dubbed the "Queen of Soul," was an American singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist
Beyoncé Knowles is an American singer, song-writer, and record producer who has won 23 Grammy's and is the most-nominated female artist
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), one of the most influential jazz figures in history
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American poet and civil rights activist, known for work such as "And Still I Rise"
Whitney Houston (1963-2012), was an American singer and actress, certified as the most awarded female artist of all time
James Baldwin (1924-1987), was an American novelist and important voice on the subject of race in America
Tupac (1971-1996), is considered one of the most influential American rappers of all time
Oprah Winfrey, American talk-show host, producer, and author, and billionaire philanthropist
Stevie Wonder, American singer, songwriter, and a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures
Langston Hughes (1901-1967) was an American Poet and social activist, Leader of the Harlem Renaissance, and innovator of jazz-poetry
Prince (1958-2016), was an American singer, dancer, and musical innovator who achieved worldwide fame in the 1980's
Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was an American Novelist who focused on examining the Black experience within the Black Community
Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), was an American novelist who portrayed racial struggles in the South
Black Inventors
Black Professionals
Black Athletes
Kobe Bryant (1978-2020), American professional basketball player
Simone Biles, American gymnast and Olympic medalist
Serena Williams, professional tennis player and former world No. 1 woman's single tennis
Tiger Woods, American professional golfer, ranking 2nd in men's major championship
Muhammad Ali (1942-2016), was an American professional boxer, social activist, and philanthropist
Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) overcame polio and became a world record holding Olympic champion in track & field
George Taliaferro (1927-2018) was the first African American drafted by a National Football League team
Jesse Owens (1913-1980) was a track and field athlete and 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball