Misty Copeland is a ballet dancer at the American Ballet theatre in New york City, who recently became the company’s first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in its 75 year history. She also became the American Ballet Theatre’s first African-American soloist in two decades, and has inspired many young girls and boys in her important work.
Although she faced heavy discrimination her entire life, Bessie Coleman fought to pursue her flying career. She became the first woman of African American descent to achieve a pilot’s license, and she earned an international pilot’s license in 1921. Mostly known for her air shows, Coleman also served as inspiration for many people of color who aspired to be pilots.
The 1950s and 60s were a turbulent time that saw everything from the space race to the civil rights movement, two separate events that were brought together in Katherine Johnson. As a NASA employee and an African American woman, she Read more
Though a controversial character, Malcolm X is an American Hero, and a trailblazer for the black community. Without X’s radical views and outspoken tendencies, nobody would pay attention to his more passive brethren, and his ideals are justified when one takes a look into his treacherous past.
On this week’s Black History month special, we’ll be talking about the late dancer, actress, singer, and activist Josephine Baker. She helped break down many doors for many black entertainers, both here in America, as well as overseas.
Widely recognized as one of the first chemical engineers, Norbert Rillieux revolutionized how sugar was produced, changing the industry forever. Although he lived in a society where slavery still existed and free people of color were discriminated against, he managed to find success for his creative inventions.
Black feminist, Ida B Wells was born into slavery in 1862. When the Emancipation Proclamation freed her family, she became devoted to giving herself a prominent voice.
The second person to be discussed during this Black History Month special is essayist, playwright and novelist, James Baldwin. He published many critically acclaimed books and essays in the 50s and 60s that focused on the black experience in America and race relations between blacks and whites.
In an era where African-American women faced enormous discrimination, Shirley Chisholm pioneered politics and advocated for the rights of minorities. Elected in 1968, she became the first black woman in Congress and the first to run for president under a major political party. “Fighting Shirley” was a crucial champion for those whose voices often went unheard.
The life expectancy of a transgender woman of color is 31 years. Despite this frightening statistic Marsha P. Johnson devoted her life to fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights until her body was found in the Hudson River at the age of 46.