A leading African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and writer. Du Bois co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a prominent voice against racial discrimination. His works, including “The Souls of Black Folk,” are foundational in African American literature and sociology.

Washington was an influential African American educator, author, and advisor to presidents of the United States. He was born into slavery but became the head of the Tuskegee Institute, a historically black college. Washington emphasized vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans, which led to criticism from some who believed he was too accommodating to white interests.

Coleman was an African American aviator and the first woman of African American and Native-American descent to hold a pilot’s license. She faced racial and gender discrimination in the United States, so she traveled to France to earn her license in 1921. She became a celebrated barnstormer, performing aerial stunts and inspiring other African Americans to pursue careers in aviation.

An African American man whose beating by Los Angeles police officers in 1991 was captured on video and sparked widespread outrage and protests. The acquittal of the officers involved in the beating led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The incident and its aftermath brought national attention to issues of police brutality and racial injustice.

Sanchez is an African American poet, playwright, and activist known for her contributions to the Black Arts Movement. Her poetry often addresses themes of race, gender, and identity, and she is considered one of the most important voices in contemporary African American literature.

Smith was an African American evangelist and missionary who became one of the most influential religious figures of her time. Although she was born into slavery, she became a prominent leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and traveled extensively, preaching and advocating for social reform.

An African American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Savage’s work focused on portraying the experiences and struggles of African Americans, and she was known for her skill in capturing the human form. She also worked to promote and support other African American artists through her involvement in arts organizations.

Ruth Janetta Temple (1892–1984) was an American physician renowned for pioneering efforts in delivering accessible and affordable healthcare and education to underserved communities in Los Angeles, California. Alongside her husband, Otis Banks, she founded the Temple Health Institute in East Los Angeles, setting a precedent for community-based health clinics nationwide.

Josephine Baker was an African American entertainer, activist, and French Resistance agent born in 1906. Rising from poverty in the US, she found fame in France during the Harlem Renaissance. Baker became an iconic cabaret performer known for her bold performances challenging racial stereotypes. She used her platform to advocate for civil rights, and during World War II, she aided the French Resistance. Baker’s legacy as a symbol of empowerment and resistance continues to inspire.

Mary Lee Mills (August 1912 – February 2, 2010) was an American nurse who significantly contributed to global public health. She attended the Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing, became a registered nurse, and joined the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in 1946. Mills served as the chief nursing officer of Liberia, establishing public health education campaigns. She later worked in Lebanon, established its first nursing school, and provided medical education in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Chad. Mills’s dedication improved healthcare access and outcomes worldwide.

Unrest and Riots stemmed from the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an African American teenager, by white police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri. Conflicting accounts of the incident fueled controversy, with some alleging Brown’s innocence and others claiming he posed a threat. Peaceful protests and incidents of violence ensued, prompting investigations into the use of lethal force and potential civil rights violations. Tensions escalated during the grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson, leading to widespread unrest and property damage. Subsequent protests and investigations followed, calling for reform within the Ferguson Police Department.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was a devastating event in American history that occurred in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sparked by allegations of assault against a young black man, a white mob attacked the affluent African American neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of hundreds and the destruction of homes and businesses. The massacre, one of the deadliest instances of racial violence in U.S. history, remained largely hidden for decades. Efforts to acknowledge and commemorate the tragedy gained momentum in the late 20th century, culminating in calls for accountability and reparations on the centennial anniversary 2021.

The Baptist Street Church Bombing occurred on September 15, 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama, when members of the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church. The explosion killed four young girls attending Sunday school, sparking national outrage and galvanizing support for the civil rights movement. The tragedy highlighted the need to address racial violence and discrimination, ultimately contributing to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It remains a poignant reminder of the struggle for racial equality in the United States.