African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Alain Locke
A biography of African-American writer Alain Locke, chief interpreter of the Harlem Renaissance, the video [5:30] "Ossie Davis: Dr. Alain Leroy Locke's Influence," and links to three of his books.
Other
African American Registry: Rose Mc Clendon: A Builder of the Black Stage
A biography on the African American actress Rose McClendon (1884-1936 CE) who played a major role in the creation of a "Black Theater," in the United States.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston is featured in this biography highlighting her literary contributions which focused on African Americans as whole people, celebrating their heritage, in an era when black authors tended to write about their...
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Alex Haley
This site provides a concise biography of Haley, the video [12:28] "Alex Haley Interview Roots (Merv Griffin Show 1977)" and links to six of his books.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Jackie Robinson
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Frederick Douglass
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous African American abolitionist and former slave, Frederick Douglass. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Malcolm X
[Free Registration/Login Required] Biographical information is contained in this passage regarding the African American activist, Malcom X. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and...
Read Works
Read Works: African American Newsmakers
[Free Registration/Login Required] This site includes mini-biographical paragraphs about some famous African American people, and the people featured include the following: Wynton Marsalis, Ophrah Winfrey, Condoleeza Rice, Muhammad Ali,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Harold Washington
This brief biography describes the career of the Illinois-born African American politician Harold Washington.
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: History Engine: Maggie L. Walker
This brief biography of Maggie L. Walker outlines her rise to success as the first African American bank owner in the United States.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.
Other
American National Biography Online: Armstrong, Samuel Chapman
Biography of Samuel C. Armstrong, founder of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute during Reconstruction, to educate African Americans after the Civil War. Hampton is now Hampton University.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Governor Deval Patrick
Making history as the first African American governor of Massachusetts, dip into a biography featuring Governor Deval Patrick.
University of California
Ucla African Studies Center: Marcus Garvey: An Overview
This detailed biography of Marcus Garvey, advocate of the back-to-Africa movement as a push-back to the way African Americans were being treated after World War I, gives good insight into his life and philosophy. Find information on his...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Colonial African Americans
This site examines the lives of African-Americans during colonial times in the city of Williamsburg, Virginia. Content provides background information, journal articles, diary entries, biography fact sheets, and more.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans: Harriet Tubman and the Ugrr
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage includes biographical information about Harriet Tubman and her role in leading escaped slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. It contains questions and a teacher's guide that can...
Other
Arthur Ashe: Biography
This official Arthur Ashe biography describes his life in detail, from his childhood in Virginia to his record-breaking career in tennis. Readers will also learn about his work as an activist and philanthropist, and his HIV positive...
Other
Black History Biographies: James Forten
A brief yet informative biography of James Forten, an ultimately successful African-American businessman living in Philadelphia, who used his wealth to support abolitionist causes and equality.
Read Works
Read Works: Great Americans
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about five famous African Americans: Oprah Winfrey, Robert L. Curbeam Jr., Nikki Giovanni, Savion Glover, and Rosa Parks. A question sheet is available to help students build...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
Other
African American Inventors and Inventions: Elijah Mc Coy the Real Mc Coy
A brief biography of Elijah McCoy and a description of one of his inventions that made factory machinery run smoothly.
Black Past
Black Past: Magggie Lena Walker
With this brief biography, learn about the life and career of Maggie L. Walker, the first African American bank president. Topics also includes Walker's activism, philanthropy and family history.