Henry Ossawa Tanner: First internationally acclaimed African American artist
“Many of the artists who have represented Negro life have seen only the comic, ludicrous side of it, and have lacked sympathy with and appreciation...
Author : Uchenna Edeh
Marie-Joseph Angelique: Symbol of Black resistance in Canada
In 1734, Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman in Montréal, was charged with arson after a fire leveled Montréal’s merchants’ quarter. It was alleged that...
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr.: Inventor and leader in electrical and mechanical engineering
[dropcap size=small]D[/dropcap]avid Nelson Crosthwait Jr. was an African American electrical and mechanical engineer and one of the leaders in the United States in the field...
Aaron Douglas: Major artist of the Harlem Renaissance
Aaron Douglas, (May 26, 1899—February 2, 1979) was an African American painter and graphic artist who played a leading role in the Harlem Renaissance of...
Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins: Autistic savant and musical genius
One of the most famous American entertainers of the nineteenth century, Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins was an African American musician and composer. Blind from birth...
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company: First Black American Movie Company
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company was the first movie company organized by Black filmmakers, and developed a solid reputation for producing films that, according to...
William H. Carney: First Black American to merit the Medal of Honor
[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]illiam Harvey Carney was an African American soldier during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the...
Tom Feelings: Visual storyteller with an African perspective
Tom Feelings (May 19, 1933 – August 25, 2003) was a well-known artist, cartoonist, children’s book illustrator, author, teacher, and activist. From the dawn of...
Oliver Lewis: Winner of the First Kentucky Derby
Oliver Lewis became the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, America’s longest continuous sporting event on May 17, 1875. His time of two minutes...
Laura Wheeling Waring: Portrait artist of prominent African Americans
Laura Wheeler was an African-American artist and educator, best known for her paintings of prominent African Americans including W.E.B. Du Bois and Marian Anderson. A...