Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Kenny Washington
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Kenny Washington, one of the first African American college gridiron football stars on the West Coast and one of two black players to reintegrate the National...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Jack the Rapper
Jack the Rapper (Jack Gibson) helped open the first African-American-owned radio station in the United States, WERD in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1949. Gibson learned about radio while working as a gofer for deejay Al Benson in Chicago. He...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Roger Milla
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Roger Milla, a Cameroonian football (soccer) player, renowned for his impeccable technique and grace under pressure. A forward, he starred on the Cameroon national team that became the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Roland Burris
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Roland Burris, an American Democratic politician who was the first African-American elected to statewide office in Illinois. His appointment as U.S. senator (2009-10) to fill the seat...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: George Weah
Biographical sketch of George Weah, Liberian football (soccer) player, who was named African, European, and World Player of the Year in 1995, an unprecedented achievement. He won his first African Player of the Year award in 1989.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ursula Burns
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Ursula Burns, an American chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the international document-management and business-services company Xerox Corporation, who was the first African...
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Hiram Revels
The United States Congress offers a biography of Hiram Revels, the first African-American Senator.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Hattie Mc Daniel
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 2006 to commemorate Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American actress to win an Academy Award. With a short biographical passage.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: The Ink Spots
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features the Ink Spots, an American vocal group prominent in the late 1930s and '40s. One of the first African-American groups, along with the Mills Brothers, to reach both black and white...
My Hero Project
My Hero: Jacob Lawrence
Read this student article that portrays Jacob Lawrence as "the first African American artist to cross over the 'color line' and exhibit his work in galleries and museums previously only showing the works of white artists."
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Jackie Robinson
Kids learn about the biography of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. He was a Hall of Fame player for the Brooklyn Dodgers who wore number 42.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Satchel Paige
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 2000 to commemorate Satchel Paige, the first African-American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Michael S. Steele
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Michael S. Steele, an American politician, the first African-American to serve as chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC; 2009-2011).
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Robert C. Weaver
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Robert C. Weaver, a noted economist who was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. cabinet.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Constance Baker Motley
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Constance Baker Motley, an American lawyer and jurist, an effective legal advocate in the civil rights movement and the first African American woman to become a federal judge.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Hattie Mc Daniel
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Hattie McDaniel, an American actress and singer who became the first African-American to be honored with an Academy Award.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: James Augustine Healy
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features James Augustine Healy, the first African American Roman Catholic bishop in the United States and an advocate for children and Native Americans.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mary Mahoney
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Mary Mahoney, an American nurse, the first African-American woman to complete the course of professional study in nursing.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Maynard Jackson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Maynard Jackson, an American lawyer and politician, who was the first African-American mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, serving three terms (1974-82 and 1990-94).
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Samuel David Ferguson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Samuel David Ferguson, the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Tom Bradley
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Tom Bradley, an American politician, the first African American mayor of a predominantly white city, who served an unprecedented five terms as mayor of Los Angeles (1973-93).
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Wayne Embry
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Wayne Embry, an American professional basketball player and the first African-American to serve as the general manager of a professional sports franchise.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Woody Strode
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Woody Strode, an American character actor who was part of director John Ford's "family" of actors, appearing in nearly a dozen of Ford's films. Strode also had a brief career as a...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Colin Powell
Investigate the first African-American U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell on this site. Learn about his career as a general and diplomat who led during the Persian Gulf War.