Carney was the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Pronounced the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues; career highlights span five decades; legendary showman. The "First Lady of Song;" winner of 13 Grammy awards. New York City would continue to serve as a catalyst for African American artists for decades, with Jean-Michel Basquiat among the Big Apple's most famous artists—and contemporary art's most universally recognized figures.. Basquiat was born in Brooklyn to a Puerto Rican mother and a Haitian father in 1960. First African American to make vocal blues recordings, in 1920. Elijah McCoy. "Queen of Soul;" first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. First baseman; called the "Black Lou Gehrig" as a result of hitting prowess, defensive position. A.K.A. One O`Clock Jump and Jumpin` at the Woodside were among his more popular numbers. Dr. Wharton is the first African American to head a predominately White university in the 20th century. du Sable built his first house in the 1770s, 30 years before Fort Dearborn was established on the banks of the Chicago River. Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. "The Say Hey Kid," played center field; Hall of Famer; regarded as one of the finest players ever to have played the game. Joshua Johnson, The Westwood Children, c. 1807, oil on canvas, Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, 1959.11.1 Joshua Johnson is America’s earliest-known professional African American artist. Bouldin died on July 5, 1936 and his death certificate was signed by the famous black medical doctor, Madison L. Preacher. No survey of 20th-century American literature would be complete without major contributions from Black writers. This article thus seeks to bring to the limelight just a few of the great African American Inventors who have made indelible marks through their groundbreaking inventions. African Americans played an important role in the military during World War 2. During most of 17th and 18th centuries, male slaves outnumbered female slaves but this slave sex ratio level when a large number of African women were brought in between 1730 and 1750. Others, like Gen. Colin Powell, are notable political and military leaders. Hall of Fame pitcher; voted to the all-20th-century team. Regarded as the best receiver ever to play the game; arguably the greatest football player ever; holder of 38 NFL records. Obviously, this table provides only a small sample of these courageous Americans; u-s-history.com will continue to add to this list from time to time. Highest ranking African-American government official in history. Also the first African-American to be appointed United States Marine Corps officer was Frederick C. Branch, in 1945. First African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Entertainer, actor, comic, educator, television producer, philanthropist. Widow of the slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.; noted community leader in her own right. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz; one-time Nation of Islam leader. Image Name Field(s) Dates Notes Ref. DuBois. First African-American woman to be a competitor on the world tennis tour. Carver is famous for many inventions including a number of uses for the peanut. Acclaimed American poet, author and activist Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. Includes Nelson Mandela, F.W. Singer, songwriter, producer, musician, humanitarian, social activist. A list of famous African people who made a significant contribution to the world. Whether you are researching a topic for Black History Month or just want to learn more, this listing of famous African Americans will help you find people who truly achieved greatness. Others, like Black journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett and scholar W.E.B. From the earliest days of the African presence in the United States, blacks have contributed to the fiber of American culture, ranging from useful inventions to innovative musical interludes, and beyond. Few details of his life are known. First African-American general in the U.S. Army. Isabella Baumfree; noted speaker for both the abolitionist movement and the women`s rights movement. As an abolitionist, she acted as intelligence gatherer, refugee organizer, raid leader, nurse, revival speaker, and fund raiser. Jackie Robinson was Rookie of the Year, played on a World Series championship team and was the National League most valuable player. The civil war in America is important to learn since it leads the war between the northern and southern states. Sgt. Blacks have served and died in defense of their adopted homeland. Examples include James Brown’s King Shotaway (1823), Angelina W. Grimke’s Rachel (1916), and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (1959). 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