Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Phillis Wheatley, Poet
A brief look at the fascinating life of African American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Provides two portraits, and a sample page from Wheatley's collection of poems.
Digital History
Digital History: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. In this biographical account, follow the steps of Marshall from his days as a law student at Howard Law School, to his victories as chief counsel for...
![De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf]
"My New President" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about an African-American teen who learned about the government by working in Barack Obama's campaign office on Saturdays. It is followed by constructed-response questions...
A&E Television
History.com: How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball
Jackie Robinson's accomplishments on and off the field opens doors for all African Americans. Watch this video [3:04] to learn how.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Life of Firsts: Brief Biography of Vel Phillips
Born in Milwaukee in 1924, Vel Phillips was a women's and civil rights activist, and the first female African American lawyer in Wisconsin. Her many accomplishments as an African American woman paved the way for others.
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.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Black Past
Black Past: The First Emancipation
This encyclopedia entry gives interesting information about how the Quakers encouraged legislation that led to the banning of slavery in states in the Northeast by 1820.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Eyes on the Stars
On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a...
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...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman soared across the sky as the first African American and the first Native American woman pilot.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Condoleezza Rice
A good biography of the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary of State.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: General Colin L. Powell, Usa
Biography on the former Secretary of State, Colin Powell who rose through the ranks to become military general before becoming the first African-American to reach the high rank of Secretary of State, appointed by George W. Bush.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Biographical profile of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, the first African American woman to publish a short story and also an influential abolitionist, suffragist, and reformer.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Mae Jemison
Astronaut Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel in space.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Hazel Scott
Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Harriet Tubman
Learn about Harriet Tubman, the first African American woman to serve in the military who escaped enslavement and helped others reach freedom During the Civil War.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Shirley Chisholm
Read about the life of Shirley Chisholm who in 1968 became the first African American woman to serve in Congress.
New York Times
New York Times: A Diverse First Family
Investigate Barack Obama's family tree to discover his family's diverse multicultural roots.
PBS
Pbs: Barbara Jordan: "The First and Only"
This is a transcript of a tribute to Barbara Jordan on PBS' Newshour. It features quotes from Jordan, followed by comments about her by Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Molly Ivins.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Barack Obama
Biography of President Barack Obama, the first African American to hold that office.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Edward Alexander Bouchet
A profile of Edward Alexander Bouchet (1852-1918), the first African American to graduate from Yale in 1874, and the first to earn a doctorate from an American university when he earned a Ph.D. in physics in 1876.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Guion S. Bluford, Jr.
Brief biographical sketch of the life and career of the first African American launched into space.
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Blanche K. Bruce
A biography on Blanche K. Bruce, the first African-American to serve a full term in the United States Senate.