Smithsonian Institution
Nat'l Portrait Gallery: Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits
Biographical portraits of African Americans involved in the struggle for civil rights and equality, from the time of Frederick Douglass forward. Learn about the contributions of Edmonia Lewis, Sojourner Truth, Edward Bannister, Octavius...
PBS
African American World: Profiles
Use this site to find out the history of African Americans on an easy to use timeline dating from the 1400s to the present. You can also learn about African American arts and culture and read about the contributions of some specific...
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: The Civil Rights Era (Part 1)
This exhibit on the African American culture and history ranges from the 1948 desegregation of the military to Hank Aaron's breaking of Babe Ruth's homerun record in 1974. Includes images of historical photographs and documents.
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.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Historic Site: Maggie L. Walker Home and Museum
Learn about the remarkable life and career of Maggie L. Walker, an African American teacher and successful business woman. Also includes a gallery of personal photographs, an online tour Walker's home and information about her work as a...
Other
The History Makers
Thehistorymakers.com features the stories of African Americans who have succeeded and made achievements in the areas of art, business, education, law, politics, science, religion, and sports. There is a great timeline of African American...
Other
Bowdoin College: Arctic Museum: Biographies: Matthew Henson
Biographical information about Matthew Henson, an African American explorer who was with Robert Peary's team, in 1909, when he reached the North Pole.
Other
South Carolina African American History Online
A variety of information, including a calendar that is updated every year, that highlights famous South Carolina African-Americans.
Curated OER
National Park Service: American Visionaries: George Washington Carver
Despite being born a slave, read how Dr. Carver persevered so that he could become successful.
Other
African American Pioneers: Richard Allen
This page from Afgen.com contains the life history of Richard Allen. Richard was the founding bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Althea Gibson Won Again!
Althea Gibson made it possible for the Williams sisters to play at Wimbledon. As the first African-American to win that title, she was a pioneer. See photos and read more about her on this Library of Congress site.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Negro in the Wars of the Nation
African Americans have fought proudly for our country as far back as the Revolutionary War. Christian Fleetwood gives an account of the history of African-American soldiers in the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. He cites examples of...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Marian Anderson's Performance
Marian Anderson was the first African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. She had to overcome prejudice many times in her career. The Library of Congress tells you more with words and pictures.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Ernest J. Gaines
Biography of American author, Ernest Gaines, well-known for his novels and essays, including The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman and A Gathering of Old Men, both adapted for television.
University at Buffalo
Phat African American Poetry Book: Arna Bontemps
Three of Arna Bontemps' more famous poems are printed here.
Other
Romare Bearden Foundation
Site provides not only a biography of this great African-American artist, but many beautiful images of his work. At this site you can use "Bearden in the Classroom," for teaching ideas across grade levels. A great place to explore!
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Breaking Racial Barriers
Exhibition of portraits, accompanied by brief biographical sketches, of prominent African Americans, whose contributions to science, the arts, business, and politics have enriched and enlivened the public good in the United States:...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: 1990 Black Heritage Series: Ida B. Wells Issue
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1990 to commemorate Ida B. Wells, one of the founders of the NAACP. With a short passage on her life and contributions to ending discrimination against women and African-Americans.
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...
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Audra Mc Donald
Biography of Audra McDonald, actress and winner of six Tony Awards.
Library of Congress
Loc: Work Among Our Women
African American women have been strong leaders in the fight for equality. Mary Church Terrell addresses the National Association of Colored Women and discusses the achievements of African American women since Emancipation.
PBS
Pbs: Duke Ellington's Washington
This site explores the life of Duke Ellington, as well as the strong African-American community that flourished in Washington, D.C., during the time that Ellington lived there (1899-1923).