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...
Category : Black Firsts
The Lena Baker Story
Lena Baker, an African American maid, was executed by the State of Georgia in 1945 for the murder of her employer, Ernest Knight, the previous...
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr.: Inventor and leader in electrical and mechanical engineering
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr. was an African American electrical and mechanical engineer and one of the leaders in the United States in the field of...
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company: First Black American Movie Company
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company is recognized as one of the earliest and most influential Black-owned film production companies in the United States. Founded in...
William H. Carney: First Black American to merit the Medal of Honor
William Harvey Carney was an African American soldier during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle...
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...
Matilda Evans: Medical Pioneer of South Carolina
Matilda Arabella Evans was the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. She became a powerful advocate for improved health care...
Olivier Le Jeune: First recorded Black person in Canada
In 1628, the first Black person known to have lived in Canada was a native of Madagascar. He was kidnapped and sold between the ages...
Mary Eliza Mahoney: The first African American professional nurse in the United States
In 1879, Mary Eliza Mahoney became the first Black graduate nurse in the United States. Mary Eliza Mahoney was born on May 7, 1845, in...
Martin R. Delany: The Father of Black Nationalism
Every people should be originators of their own destiny. Martin Robinson Delany (May 6, 1812 – January 24, 1885) stands as one of the most...