Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin
Biographical sketch of Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, an American community leader who was active in the women's rights movement and particularly in organizing African American women around issues of civic and cultural development.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Augustus Tolton
Summarizes the life and career of Augustus Tolton, an American religious leader who is regarded as the first African American ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Carl Rowan
Learn about the life and career of Carl Rowan, an American journalist, writer, and radio and television commentator, who was one of the first African American officers in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Carl Stokes
Biographical sketch of American lawyer and politician, Carl Stokes, who became the first African-American to serve as mayor of a major U.S. city, having been elected to that office in Cleveland, Ohio (1967-71).
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Howard Thurman
Biographical account of Howard Thurman, an American Baptist preacher and theologian, the first African American dean of chapel at a traditionally white American university, and a founder of the first interracial interfaith congregation...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Eartha Kitt
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Eartha Kitt, an American singer and dancer noted for her sultry vocal style and slinky beauty who also achieved success as a dramatic stage and film actress. This site, rich in detail and...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ru Paul
Learn about RuPaul, the American entertainer who carved out an idiosyncratic place in popular culture as perhaps the most famous drag queen in the United States in the 1990s and early 21st century.
PBS
Classics for Kids: William Grant Still
A short biography of William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Nobel Media AB
The Nobel Prize: Nelson Mandela and the Rainbow Culture
This detailed article from the Nobel e-museum on the life of Nelson Mandela is organized into the following sections: "Equality and Pluralism," "The Development of 'Colour-blindness,'" "The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru,"...
Other
Hall of Fame Biographies: Christian Neethling Barnard
A concise biography of Christiaan Barnard (1922-2001), the famous surgeon who did the first heart transplant. Learn about his early life, education, and his learning process of performing heart transplants.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Zora Neale Hurston
Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a biography of Zora Neale Hurston, a famous novelist and first African American graduate of Barnard College.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Toni Morrison
A detailed biography on the works of African American writer and 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Toni Morrison. Contains information on the themes and subject matters of her most famous books while also giving some information on...
Other
Le Monde Diplomatique: Electing Dictators
This site dicusses information about how the people of Africa end up electing dictators and discusses the problems with corrupt and disorganized election processes as well as past issuesconcerning democracy in African countries.
BBC
Bbc Audio Interviews: Desmond Tutu
The BBC provides audio clips from a 1986 interview with South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Additional content includes a brief biography, a list of key works, and links to further material on the BBC network.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: August Wilson
Learn more about the famous playwright August Wilson when you visit this educational site. This site features links to several resources ranging from biographical information to lesson plans.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Mathilde Anneke, 1817 1884
Mathilde Anneke was a remarkable woman. A feminist before the days of feminism, she worked tirelessly for the rights of women and of African Americans. She experienced firsthand the powerlessness of a nineteenth-century woman after her...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Reading Guide: David Walker, From "Appeal"
Brief biographical information about David Walker and a link to the complete text of his famous writing, "Appeal," written in 1830.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Black Emancipators of the 19th Century
A lesson unit on the people and movements that fought to abolish slavery. Looks at the Triangular Trade, and at the Underground Railroad and famous abolitionists. Includes a play about emancipation, a black history rap and a trivia quiz...
Other
The Official Website of Misty Copeland
Learn about the background and artistic influence of ballet dancer Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer for the acclaimed American Ballet Theater. The site also provides links to videos and magazine articles...
Library of Congress
Loc: Booker T. Washington Delivered "Atlanta Compromise"
Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential African Americans of his day. This site highlights his famous "Atlanta Compromise" speech, as well as a general overview of his views.
New York Times
New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benjamin Banneker
View the artwork of Jerry Pickney honoring Benjamin Banneker on a stamp. Banneker predicted a solar eclipse, published farmers almanacs, and was famous for many more things.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Stopping for Olympic Gold" by Angie Kay Dilmore
John Woodruff was an African American track athlete who won a gold medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics. In this informational text, Angie Kay Dilmore discusses John's life and famous race. As you read, take notes on how John achieved...