Robert C. Henry: First African American Mayor of a city
In 1966, Robert C. Henry became the first African American to serve as mayor of a city (Springfield) in the State of Ohio and in...
Category : Black Firsts
Maggie Lena Walker: First Woman Bank President
In 1903, Maggie Lena Walker (July 15, 1864-December 15, 1934) became the first woman bank president in the United States when she founded the Saint...
Vivian Malone: Civil rights hero who defied racial segregation
Vivian Juanita Malone Jones (July 15, 1942 – October 13, 2005) was one of the first two African American students to enroll at the University...
Lee Elder: The first Black golfer to play in the US Masters
Robert Lee Elder (born July 14, 1934) is an American professional golfer. He is best remembered for becoming the first African-American to play in the...
Sarah E. Goode: The first Black Woman to receive a patent?
Entrepreneur and inventor Sarah E. Goode is often credited with being the first African-American woman to receive a United States patent. However, Judy W. Reed,...
Wole Soyinka: Noble Prize Literary Genius
[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]kinwande Oluwole “Wole” Babatunde Soyinka, born 13 July 1934, is a Nigerian playwright and poet. He was the first African to win the Nobel...
Lucy Terry: Singer Of History
[dropcap size=small]L[/dropcap]ucy Terry Prince, known as Lucy Terry, (c. 1730–1821) was brought to Rhode Island from Africa. Her future husband purchased her freedom before their...
Arthur Ashe: Tennis Champion
Arthur Ashe is the first African American, and is still the only, African-American male player to win the men’s singles at Wimbledon and the U.S....
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune: The First Lady of The Struggle
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was an American educator best known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, Florida. She attracted donations...
William Harrison “Bones” Dillard: Olympic Hurdler
William Harrison “Bones” Dillard was an African-American Olympic track and field athlete. Dillard was the best hurdler of his time, and one of three male...