Famous African Americans - List of Famous African Americans - page 4

African Americans were historically one of the most discriminated groups in the USA. However things began to change in the late 19th century with the likes of civil rights activists like John Lewis, Samuel Ringgold Ward, and Harriet Tubman raising their voices demanding equal rights for all. The civil rights movement received further momentum in the 20th century with the emergence of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Harry Burns. By the later part of the 20th century, African Americans had begun to make a name for themselves in varied fields such as science, technology, sports, music and literature. Diplomat Ralph Joseph Bunche created history by becoming the first African American to win the Nobel Prize for Peace. History was created by GuionBluford as well when he became the first African American astronaut to venture into space. More recently, Barack Obama claimed the honor of being the first African American to be elected to the US President’s office. Read on for more information about the life and works of famous African Americans.

The Most Famous African Americans

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Henrietta LacksAugust 1, 1920AmericanHenrietta Lacks was a woman whose cancer cells were used as the source of HeLa cell line
Bill WithersJuly 4, 1938AmericanBill Withers is an American singer-songwriter and musician
Thomas SowellJune 30, 1930AmericanThomas Sowell is an American economist, syndicated columnist, writer and social theorist
Muhammad AliJanuary 17, 1942AmericanMuhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion
Orlando BrownDecember 4, 1987AmericanOrlando Brown is an African-American actor, rapper, voice actor, and singer
Chaka KhanMarch 23, 1953AmericanChaka Khan, also popularly known as the Queen of Funk, is an American recording artist
AaliyahJanuary 16, 1979AmericanAaliyah was an American singer best known for her album ‘Age Ain't Nothing but a Number’
Huey P. NewtonFebruary 17, 1942AmericanHuey Newton was an African-American political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party
Malcolm XMay 19, 1925AmericanMalcolm X was a renowned African-American Sunni Muslim civil rights activist
Langston HughesFebruary 1, 1902AmericanLangston Hughes was an African-American poet who made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance
Josina Anderson

Josina Anderson

Josina Anderson is an American sports journalist

AmericanAugust 15, 1978115 views

Princess Love

Princess Pilipina Love Norwood is an African-American reality star, fashion designer and model

AmericanAugust 14, 1984269 views

Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston was a well-known American folklorist, anthropologist and author

AmericanJanuary 7, 1891218 views

Jasmine Jordan

Check out all that you wanted to know about Jasmine Jordan, Michael Jordan’s daughter; her family and personal life, trivia facts and lots more.

Venus Williams

Venus Williams has created ripples in the world of tennis & dominated the game with her exceptional talent and prowess at the game

AmericanJune 17, 1980149 views

Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison is a multiple award winning author whose best known works include the novels ‘Beloved’ and ‘The Bluest Eye’

AmericanFebruary 18, 1931138 views

Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell is an American economist, syndicated columnist, writer and social theorist

AmericanJune 30, 1930570 views

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was an American jazz trumpeter and singer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz music

AmericanAugust 4, 1901217 views

Elena Kagan

Elena Kagan is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

AmericanApril 28, 1960239 views

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer and songwriter, considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century

AmericanMay 13, 1950305 views