Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Earl Lloyd
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Earl Lloyd, a basketball player who was the first African American to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This site, rich in detail and breadth of...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Emlen Tunnell
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Emlen Tunnell, an American gridiron football player who in 1967 became the first African American to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His career stretched from 1948 through...
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).
Black Past
Black Past: Watts, Andre
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.
Black Past
Black Past: Wilder, Lawrence Douglas
The life of Lawrence Douglas Wilder is told in this brief encyclopedia article. He was Virginia's first black state senator since Reconstruction.
Black Past
Black Past: Berea College
In this brief encyclopedia article, you will read about Berea College, the first fully integrated college in the South.
Black Past
Black Past: Montford Point Marines
This encyclopedia article tells about the Montford Point Marines, the first black Marine battalions in World War II.
Black Past
Black Past: Marshall, Thurgood
This very brief encyclopedia entry gives a short overview of Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court judge.
Black Past
Black Past: Meredith, James
A brief encyclopedia entry about James Meredith, the first black to integrate the University of Mississippi. A link will take you to a website so you can see the papers he donated to Old Miss.
PBS
Pbs Newshour Extra: Nyt Runs Never Before Published Photos
Article reports on the decision of the New York Times to publish for the first time many photos that contribute to the understanding of African American history in the United States. Includes a video.
University of Virginia
Virginia Center for Digital History: Television News of the Civil Rights Era
A rich collection of streaming video samples of television news footage from 1950 to 1970, along with an assortment of primary source documents, first-person accounts, a glossary of terms, and essays and analysis for learning about the...
Library of Congress
Loc: Born in Slavery
From the Library of Congress American Memory project, this extensive online archive contains first-person narratives of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves that were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Ruby Bridges
A biographical look at Ruby Bridges who became famous at six years of age by being the first Black child to attend a desegregated school in America.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: 1990 Black Heritage Series: Ida B. Wells Issue
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1990 to commemorate Ida B. Wells, one of the founders of the NAACP. With a short passage on her life and contributions to ending discrimination against women and African-Americans.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: The Origins of Jazz
Red Hot Jazz outlines the origins of jazz, taking a look at the blend of cultures that existed in New Orleans at the turn of the century when jazz first emerged as a unique musical form. Includes links to additional information about...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Sojourner Truth
Learn of Sojourner Truth's eventful life from runaway slave to advocate for freedom and fairness. She was the first African American woman to speak out against slavery in public. She continued her quest for fairness by being a...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Sojourner Truth
Learn about Sojouner Truth's eventful life from runaway slave to advocate for freedom and fairness. The first African American woman to speak out against slavery in public. (In Spanish)
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Mae C. Jemison
Official NASA biography of astronaut, Mae C. Jemison, the first African American woman admitted into the astronaut training program.
US Department of State
Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Colin Luther Powell
Biography of Colin Powell, the first African American to serve as Secretary of State, nominated by George W. Bush. Mr. Powell served 4 years in that role which proved to be both influential and controversial.
US Department of State
Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Condoleezza Rice
Biography summary of Condoleezza Rice who was nominated for Secretary of State by George W. Bush and assumed office on January 26, 2005, serving four years in the position. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary...
Read Works
Read Works: Smile!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Ruby Bridges, the first African American to attend a Southern, all-white elementary school. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Walking Tall
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Ruby Bridges, the first African American to attend a Southern, all-white elementary school. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.