Hiram Rhodes Revels: The First African American Senator
Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress. With his moderate political orientation and oratorical skills honed from years...
Tag : Black Firsts
Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera: The first Black Olympian
The first Black athlete to compete at the Olympics was Haitian-born French rugby player Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera, who competed for France in 1900. As...
Dr. José Celso Barbosa: The father of Puerto Rican statehood
Dr. José Celso Barbosa was a Puerto Rican physician, sociologist, and political leader, known within Puerto Rico as the “father of the Statehood for Puerto...
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...
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...