Article
Other

U.s. Army: Ruth Quinn: James Armistead Lafayette (1760 1832)

For Students 9th - 10th
Spy extraordinaire of the American Revolution, James Armistead Lafayette, is featured in this biography. Armistead was born a slave in Virginia and became a member of the Continental Army in 1781.
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Congressman John R. Lewis

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of John R. Lewis, one of the leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. He participated in pivotal resistance campaigns such as the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington, and went on the serve in the United States...
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Oprah Winfrey

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Oprah Winfrey, the much-loved and phenomenally successful talk show host and entertainment executive. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Governor Deval Patrick

For Students 9th - 10th
Making history as the first African American governor of Massachusetts, dip into a biography featuring Governor Deval Patrick.
Article
Black Past

Black Past: Lafayette, James Armistead (1760 1832)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of James Lafayette reveals that he was a spy during the American Revolution. He fooled the likes of Benedict Arnold and General Cornwallis of Britain!
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Intl Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Henry "Hank" Aaron

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Park Services provides a succinct biography of the famed baseball player, Hank Aaron.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Al Sharpton

For Students 9th - 10th
The Reverend Al Sharpton, well known for his racial and political activism, is featured in a biography.
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Colin Powell (Spanish Version)

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the fast-paced and successful career of General Powell. Find out more about this talented and patriotic American. (In Spanish)
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Colin Powell

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the fast-paced and successful career of General Powell. Find out more about this talented and patriotic American.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Eyes on the Stars

For Students 9th - 10th
On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a...
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PBS

Pbs: Ralph J. Bunche: An American Odyssey

For Students 9th - 10th
The companion website to the PBS documentary about Ralph Bunche, the first person of color to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Includes an interactive timeline of his life, in-depth analyses of his life and work at key stages of his career, a...
Website
Other

Photos of Ralph Bunche

For Students 9th - 10th
Are you looking for great pictures of Ralph Bunche? This site has 29 high quality images that give us a look into his childhood, professional career and accomplishments. Various portraits are also included.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Jan Matzeliger

For Students 9th - 10th
Jan Ernst Matzeliger is remembered for his creation that had a tremendous effect on the shoe industry. He was a Surinamese inventor of the "lasting machine," patented in 1883.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Tyler Perry, 2008

For Students 3rd - 8th
Portrait and short profile of the career of Tyler Perry, a playwright, actor, producer, and director. Perry developed and played the character of Madea, a comical grandmother, in the hit show Diary of a Mad Black Woman, as well as in...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Laurence Fishburne, 2008

For Students 3rd - 8th
Portrait and short profile of the career of Laurence Fishburne, an award-winning screen and stage actor, as well as a playwright, director, and producer.
Graphic
New York Times

New York Times: A Diverse First Family

For Students 9th - 10th
Investigate Barack Obama's family tree to discover his family's diverse multicultural roots.
Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: George Washington Carver

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out how George Washington Carvers' contributions to science radically changed the agricultural economy of the United States.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman

For Students 9th - 10th
Janell Hobson details Harriet Tubman's many fights for freedom.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington

For Students 3rd - 8th
Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE), a jazz legend, was a very interesting person. Here you will get brief biographical information along with a few additional articles on Ellington.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Our African American Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will create a short digital slideshow presentation and brochure on a famous black American.
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Biography of General Colin L. Powell

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a biography of Colin Powell. It includes a transcript of an interview with General Colin Powell.
Website
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: Ella Baker

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Women's Hall of Fame honors Ella Baker for her role in the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Barack Obama

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of President Barack Obama, the first African American to hold that office.