PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: From Freedom to Slavery
Some of the African-American writers and poets who spoke out eloquently about their experiences of slavery in the 1700s and 1800s are featured in this section of Literature & Life. Read powerful first-person accounts of Harriet...
Other
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Revelations
A description of the dance Revelations, choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The dance was first performed on January 31, 1960, and made Ailey an overnight sensation in the dance world. Includes video and photographs, as well as links to videos...
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.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier
Information on baseball legend Jackie Robinson who became the first African American player to play in the major leagues. Contains Dodger manager Branch Rickey's account of the interview with Robinson offering him this chance.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Black Beauty: Millionaire c.j. Walker
Provides biographical information about Madame C.J. Walker, the first African-American millionaire.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Bessie Coleman 1892 1926
The first African American woman to receive an official pilot's license, Bessie Coleman led a captivating life. Here you can learn about her many accomplishments.
Info Please
Infoplease: Timeline: Key Moments in Black History
A timeline of African-American history from when the first African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619 up to the present.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Bessie Coleman
Biographical overview of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman and also the first of Native-American descent female pilot.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Fly Girls: Bessie Coleman
A biography of the first African American female pilot, Bessie Coleman (1892-1926).
State Library of North Carolina
N Cpedia: Hiram Rhoades Revels
Biography of Hiram Rhoades Revels, who is best remembered as not only the first African American to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate, but also for his dedication to improving the spiritual and educational needs of the African American...
A&E Television
Biography: Barbara Jordan
A biography of Barbara Charline Jordan, who lived from 1936-1996. She was the first African American woman from the Deep South to hold a seat in Congress.
ESPN Internet Ventures
Espn: Brown Bomber' Was a Hero to All
Joe Louis was the first African American sports hero. Here you can read about the life and career of the 1937-1949 world's heavyweight champion who is number eleven on ESPN's list of great athletes of the 20th century.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Isaac Hayes (B. 1942)
Overview of the life and career of soul musician Isaac Hayes who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best original Song for the "Theme from Shaft."
BBC
Bbc: Profile: Condoleezza Rice
A short biography of the first African-American to serve as Secretary of State. (30 March 2006)
A&E Television
Biography: Hiram R. Revels
Read about the life and political career of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the United States Senate.
A&E Television
History.com: Barbara Jordan
Discusses the early life and career of Barbara Jordan who was the first African American elected to the Texas Senate and then the U.S. House of Representatives. When her political career was over, she took a teaching position at the...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Thurgood Marshall
PBS presents a biographical account of the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve in the court. Details his commitment to civil rights and liberties.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Hiram Rhodes Revels
Read here about the fascinating life of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Brown, View of the Lower Falls, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by Grafton Tyler Brown depicts the Grand Canyon, the one found at Yellowstone in Wyoming. Grafton Brown was one of the first African-American artists to depict scenes of the West. View...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: October 2: Thurgood Marshall
Site about the noted career of Thurgood Marshall, leading civil rights advocate and first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court. This article has information on his education, his work with the NAACP, his involvement in Brown v....
Curated OER
Cbc: African National Congress Spinoff Party Chooses Presidential Candidate
Unhappy members of the ruling African National Congress broke away to form South Africa's new COPE party. The party chose its first presidential candidate, Bishop Mvume Dandala who will run for the parliamentary election on April 22/09....
Other
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Oscar De Priest
Brief biographical facts on the first African American congressman from a northern state that was elected to the House of Representatives.
Other
First Boer War: Battle of Laing's Nek
An evaluation of the first Boer war including the Battle of Laing's Nek and the Battle of Majuba Hill. It provides an account of the war, equipment used, and outcomes of the conflicts.
Other
Usps: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...