Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Alvin Coffey, African American '49Er
Provides biography of an African American 49er with first hand accounts.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Biography of America: A Vital Progressivism
View a chapter from "A Biography of America" about the Progressive Era that focuses on minority and immigrant perspectives. An excellent resources for understanding the struggles of Native American, Mexican immigrant, Asian immigrant,...
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Sports and Recreation: Satchel Paige
The first African American to pitch in the major league, Satchel Paige led a full life of baseball. Satchel retired from the mound when he was sixty years old. Discover the successes and setbacks of this famed baseball player.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Alice Walker
Alice Walker is highlighted in this brief biography for her acclaimed contributions to literature, relating the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Click on "Alice Walker Activities" for related materials.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer
This is a brief biography of Jean Toomer, an African American author of poetry and short stories, published in many magazines in the early twentieth century. Click on "Jean Toomer Activities" for related materials.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Ralph Ellison
Author Ralph Ellison is presented in this biography for his contributions to African American literature. See "Ralph Ellison Activities" for further information.
Other
Ida B. Wells Memorial Foundation: Her Biography
A brief biography of Ida B. Wells who used the power of the pen to attack growing violence against African Americans in the late 19th century. She particularly focused on the use of lynching.
Curated OER
National Park Service: American Visionaries: Booker T. Washington
This site provides a web exhibit that celebrates the incredible achievements of Booker T. Washington. Includes photos and biographical information about this extraordinary African American.
Other
Business Week: Maggie Walker: A Rich Legacy for the Black Woman Entrepreneur
Learn about this famous African American entrepreneur and how she rose to success in the world of banking.
Great Idea Finder
Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer
An extensive biography of the life of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Find out about his primary claim to fame in the development of an incandescent light bulb, but be sure to read about his many patents, and his importance to...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Fly Girls: Bessie Coleman
A biography of the first African American female pilot, Bessie Coleman (1892-1926).
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Biography of Amer: A Different Perspective on Progressivism
Read this thought-provoking overview by historian Waldo E. Martin of progressivism as seen from the perspective of African Americans, Native Americans, and new Asian immigrants.
Other
Washington and Lee University: Black History Month: Maggie Lena Walker
Maggie L. Walker was the first female bank president of the United States. Learn about the life and work of this African American teacher and entrepreneur. This brief biography includes accompanying audio [1:49], as well as a...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]
"Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, an African-American poet from Chicago. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: William H. Johnson
The Luce Foundation Center for American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum presents this short biography and photographic portrait of William H. Johnson, the influential African-American painter participant in the Harlem...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Jacob Lawrence
The Luce Foundation Center for American Art presents the African-American painter and Harlem Renaissance figure, Jacob Lawrence, with a short biography, image, and description of his work on view in the collection and a video interview...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Thurgood Marshall
PBS presents a biographical account of the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve in the court. Details his commitment to civil rights and liberties.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Ann Petry
This site focuses on Ann Petry including a short biography, the video [10:12] "Ann Petry and Harlem's History" and links to seven of her literary works.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans George Washington Carver
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous African American researcher, inventor, and educator, George Washington Carver. and This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
Read Works
Read Works: An American Leader
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage includes a brief biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes...
University of Virginia
Explorations in Black Leadership: Nikki Giovanni
A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Cade Bambara
Toni Cade Bambara is featured in this brief biography for her ability to combine and advocate for both feminism and black minorities through her literature. See "Toni Cade Bambara Activities" for related resources.
The Field Museum
Field Museum: George Washington Carver
The online companion to past Field Museum exhibit on the life and scientific contributions of George Washington Carver, this resource includes a biography, photo gallery, an overview of Carter's goal-oriented research, an educator's...