American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Audra Mc Donald
Biography of Audra McDonald, actress and winner of six Tony Awards.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Ernest J. Gaines
Biography of American author, Ernest Gaines, well-known for his novels and essays, including The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman and A Gathering of Old Men, both adapted for television.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker
Learn about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker, an African American mathematician and scientist. Also contains portraits and a map of New York, which can be enlarged for a closer view.
Other
Black History From a to Z
Students will enjoy exploring this colorful site during Black History Month, or any other month! Follow the timeline of famous African American women and inventors, or just click on a letter of the alphabet to find brief pieces of...
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: History Engine: Maggie L. Walker
This brief biography of Maggie L. Walker outlines her rise to success as the first African American bank owner in the United States.
Other
Maryland Public Schools: Maggie L. Walker History Lesson Plan [Pdf]
With this lesson plan, students will learn about the life of African American teacher and entrepreneur Maggie L. Walker, the woman to own a bank in the United States. This document includes teacher resources, student resources and...
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Sports and Recreation: Satchel Paige
The first African American to pitch in the major league, Satchel Paige led a full life of baseball. Satchel retired from the mound when he was sixty years old. Discover the successes and setbacks of this famed baseball player.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma State University: Encyclopedia: Bass Reeves
This biography describes the life of Bass Reeves, who fled slavery and became a United States marshall.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Jackie Robinson
America honors Jackie Robinson's first year in baseball's major leagues. This site has a brief biography of Jackie Robinson and how he broke the race barrier.
Curated OER
National Park Service: American Visionaries: George Washington Carver
Despite being born a slave, read how Dr. Carver persevered so that he could become successful.
The Field Museum
Field Museum: George Washington Carver
The online companion to past Field Museum exhibit on the life and scientific contributions of George Washington Carver, this resource includes a biography, photo gallery, an overview of Carter's goal-oriented research, an educator's...
New York Times
New York Times: Martin Luther King, Jr.
An outstanding collection of materials for learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. Students can engage in a text-to-text analysis of 'I Have a Dream' and 'The Lasting Power of Dr. King's Dream Speech'
Other
New York Public Library: Images of African Americans
An image database that includes pictures of African Americans from the 19th Century. Each image includes a description.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Bill T. Jones
This is a collection of five video lessons about Bill T. Jones, an African American choreographer, director, author, and dancer, and his quest to determine if Abraham Lincoln was a Good Man! or a Good Man? from today's perspective.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Sammy Davis Jr.
This is a collection of three video lessons about Sammy Davis Jr., comedy, race, segregation in 1960's Hollywood, politics, identity, and The Civil Rights Movement.
Curated OER
National Park Service: International Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Thurgood Marshall
This is an informative biography discussing the role Thurgood Marshall had in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: George Washington Carver
An introduction to George Washington Carver, the talented, intelligent inventor. Learn why he was called a "Miracle Worker" for his vast knowledge of plants and agriculture. (In Spanish)
Digital History
Digital History: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. In this biographical account, follow the steps of Marshall from his days as a law student at Howard Law School, to his victories as chief counsel for...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Dr. King's Leadership and Character [Pdf]
This lesson plans looks at the leadership and character of Dr. King, and encourages students to draw connections to their lives. More lesson plans from the national parks service on civil rights and Dr. King can be found here:...
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: Roaring '20S: Ossian Sweet
Students try to guess the mystery subject Carlotta Facts, the History Mystery Museum's professor, is studying. They read the clues, do some online and offline research, and then attempt to identify the game's mystery person, Ossian Sweet.
Great Idea Finder
Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer
An extensive biography of the life of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Find out about his primary claim to fame in the development of an incandescent light bulb, but be sure to read about his many patents, and his importance to...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Sojourner Truth
Easy to read biography of anti-slavery activist, abolitionist and feminist, Sojourner Truth. Article covers her early life as a slave, her Civil War years, and her famous speeches.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]
"Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, an African-American poet from Chicago. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [Pdf]
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." is a one page, biographical passage about Martin Luther King, Jr. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes determining the author's...