Black Past
Black Past: Harold Washington (1922 1987)
This biography profiles the political career of Harold Washington, the first African American mayor of Chicago.
Black Past
Black Past: Ellison, Ralph
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Ralph Ellison, African American novelist and essayist, famous for his book, "Invisible Man."
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Oprah Winfrey
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical informationa about the multi-talented Ophrah Winfrey. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
PBS
Pbs.org: Sterling Brown, Biography
PBS offers a brief, but well-written, biography of the famous Harlem Renaissance author.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: John Henrik Clarke
This site focuses on the historian John Henrik Clarke including a biography, the full video of "John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk" [134:00], and links to ten of his books.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Scientific American: Following Muddy's Trail
This site has a lesson plan on Muddy Waters focused on the American Masters documentary about him. Parallels the Great Migration with the growth of the blues music movement in America. Click on Muddy's name to access a detailed biography...
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Chinua Achebe
This site includes a brief biography of Achebe, the video [9:13] "Nigerian Writer Chinua Achebe on CNN's 'African Voices'" and links to 17 of his books.
University of Michigan
Kellogg African American Health Care Project: William G. Anderson
Interview with Dr. William Anderson, first president of the Albany Movement. Picture, biographical information and links to 40 other interviews with black medical personnel about their experiences with discrimination.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Shay Youngblood
This site includes a brief biography of Shay YoungBlood, a video clip [5:34] of "Shay Youngblood reading from Black Girl in Paris at the Dent" and links to three of her works.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
Other
African American Inventors and Their Inventions: Granville T. Woods
Here is a thorough biography of inventor Granville T. Woods, who is credited with improving railway safety for bot the trains and trainmen. Find out what concepts in railroad safety are still being used today.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks, Biography
Detailed account of the writer's life. Contains references to contemporaries, influences and motivations in her career.
A&E Television
Biography: Barbara Jordan
A biography of Barbara Charline Jordan, who lived from 1936-1996. She was the first African American woman from the Deep South to hold a seat in Congress.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Charlotte Forten Grimke
Brief biography of Charlotte Forten Grimke, an African American teacher and writer of Civil War period.
A&E Television
Biography: Hiram R. Revels
Read about the life and political career of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the United States Senate.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Bessie Coleman 1892 1926
The first African American woman to receive an official pilot's license, Bessie Coleman led a captivating life. Here you can learn about her many accomplishments.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Otis Boykin 1920 1982
Otis Boykin was a successful African American inventor whose inventions include resistors for electrical equipment and missiles, a controller for pacemakers, and a burglar-proof cash register.
PBS
Pbs: Biography of Dizzy Gillespie
This PBS biography about trumpeter and jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie includes photos, multiple audio features, and links within the text to other famous musicians.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Quincy Jones
PBS highlights American Masters in music and provides a thorough biography, feature essay, and career timeline on Jones.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Duke Ellington
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous jazz composter, Duke Ellington. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
[Free Registration/Login Required] Biographical information about the famous boxer Muhammad Ali is contained in this passage. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Marian Anderson
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains brief biographical information about the famous singer named Marian Anderson. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Maya Angelou
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous author and civil rights leader and activist named Maya Angelou. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential...