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...
Tag : African-American
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...
Malcolm X
“By any means necessary.” Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was one of the greatest and most influential Black...
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...
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...
Mary Lou Williams: Mother of Modern Jazz
Mary Lou Williams was an African‑American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and occasional vocalist, widely regarded as one of the most important architects of twentieth-century jazz....
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...