Famous African Americans - List of Famous African Americans - page 5
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Birthday | Nationality | Bio |
| Henrietta Lacks | August 1, 1920 | American | Henrietta Lacks was a woman whose cancer cells were used as the source of HeLa cell line |
| Bill Withers | July 4, 1938 | American | Bill Withers is an American singer-songwriter and musician |
| Thomas Sowell | June 30, 1930 | American | Thomas Sowell is an American economist, syndicated columnist, writer and social theorist |
| Muhammad Ali | January 17, 1942 | American | Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion |
| Orlando Brown | December 4, 1987 | American | Orlando Brown is an African-American actor, rapper, voice actor, and singer |
| Chaka Khan | March 23, 1953 | American | Chaka Khan, also popularly known as the Queen of Funk, is an American recording artist |
| Aaliyah | January 16, 1979 | American | Aaliyah was an American singer best known for her album ‘Age Ain't Nothing but a Number’ |
| Huey P. Newton | February 17, 1942 | American | Huey Newton was an African-American political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party |
| Malcolm X | May 19, 1925 | American | Malcolm X was a renowned African-American Sunni Muslim civil rights activist |
| Langston Hughes | February 1, 1902 | American | Langston Hughes was an African-American poet who made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance |
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion
Little Richard
Little Richard is a pop musician who laid the foundation for rock and roll music in America
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an African-American poet who made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is a versatile actor who over a career spanning more than half a century has won many prestigious awards for his acting skills
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the Major League Baseball (MLB)
Huey P. Newton
Huey Newton was an African-American political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American professional football quarterback