Ophelia DeVore-Mitchell: The legendary fashion icon who redefined beauty
“I wanted to change the way people of color were seen across the United States. I wanted America to know that beauty isn’t just [whyte].”...
Category : Black Firsts
Lillian Evanti: The Classical Singer who could sing in five languages
Annie Lillian Evans, who would later become the famed classical singer Lillian Evanti, was the first African American to sing grand opera professionally anywhere in...
Thomas Nelson Baker, Sr.: The first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Philosophy
Thomas Nelson Baker, Sr. was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Philosophy (1903, Yale University). He was a writer, orator, ethicist, and...
Solomon Carter Fuller: The first African American psychiatrist
Dr.Solomon Carter Fuller was the first African American psychiatrist who made significant contributions to the study of Alzheimer’s disease. He was also one of the...
William Manuel “Bill” Johnson: The father of the “slap” style of Double bass playing
William Manuel “Bill” Johnson was an African American jazz musician, considered the father of the “slap” style of Double bass playing. Johnson who started out...
Dr. Alex Quaison-Sackey: First African President of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Dr. Alex Quaison-Sackey (August 9, 1924– December 28, 1992) was a Ghanaian diplomat during the presidency of Kwame Nkrumah and the first diplomat from a...
Matthew Henson: The first man to reach the North Pole
Matthew Alexander Henson was the first African-American Arctic explorer to reach the North Pole in 1909, as part of the Peary Expedition. Over a period...
Ralph Bunche: First Black to win a Nobel Prize
[dropcap size=small]R[/dropcap]alph Bunche was an American political scientist, academic, and diplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize. He received it for having arranged a...
James Peters: The first Black man to play rugby union for England
James Peters was the first Black man to play rugby union for England. Peters was born on 7 August 1879 at 38 Queen Street Salford,...
Susie King Taylor: The First Black Army Nurse
Susie King Taylor was the first Black Army nurse, who tended to an all-Black army troop named the First South Carolina Volunteers, 33rd Regiment, during...