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 Though based in France, Josephine Baker supported the American Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s, and protested racism in her own unique way, adopting 12 multi-ethnic orphans, which she called her "Rainbow Tribe."
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 Once
described as the most beautiful woman in America by Life Magazine, Dorothy
Dandridge was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy
Award for Best Actress.
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Redd Foxx, whose comedic ingenuity
continues to influence comedians of all ethnical backgrounds, was best known
for his starring role in the controversial yet groundbreaking television program
of the 1970s, “Sanford and Son.”
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 Bessie "Queen
Bess" Coleman was the first African American
woman to become an airplane pilot, and the first
American woman to hold an international pilot's
license. She was also the first black licensed
pilot in the world.
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 Malcolm
X was a world renowned African American and human
rights activist who, during the 1960s, was known
for his powerful oratory skills and articulating
racial pride.
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 With
hits like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Roll
over Beethoven,” Chuck Berry became one of
the most influential guitar players of the 20th century
and a pioneer of early rock ‘n’ roll
music.
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 Known
around the world as simply “Duke,” Duke
Ellington was an accomplished American jazz composer,
pianist and bandleader and one of the most popular
African American celebrities of his time.
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 Known
as the “First lady of Jazz”, Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most significant Jazz singers of the 20th century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums.
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 Alongside
Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday is considered one
of the greatest Jazz singers of all time and was
one of the first African American singers to perform
with white musicians.
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 Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was one of the most important and influential saxophonists and jazz players of the 1940s. He gained wide recognition for his brilliant solos and innovative improvisations.
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 As
one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Arthur
Ashe remains the only African American male to have
won the men's singles competition at Wimbledon. He
left his mark not only on the game of tennis, but
also on society as a whole.
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 With
a career batting average of .293 and memberships
in the 3,000 hit club and the National Baseball
Hall of Fame, Lou Brock’s name is often included
in conversations about the best left fielders to
have ever played the game.
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 Amidst
rising racial tensions, Jim Hines set the world
record in the 100 meter dash at the 1968 Summer
Olympics – a record that would stand for
15 years. He is a member of the International
and United States
Track and Field Hall of Fame.
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 Baseball
historians argue that Monte Irvin would have been
the first African American Major League Baseball
player if it were not for refusing Branch Rickey’s
proposal to play for the Dodgers in 1945.
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 Florence
Griffith Joyner, known simply as “Flo-Jo,” was
an American athlete, Olympic gold medalist and
world record holder in the 100 and 200 meter dash.
She captured the attention of the
world with her speed, grace, and charm.
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 Nicknamed “The
Brown Bomber,” Joe Louis won 68 fights (54
by way of KO) and is considered one of the greatest
boxers of all time and one of the most interesting
figures in sports history.
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 Overcoming
seemingly insurmountable odds, Jesse Owens won
four gold medals; one in the 100 meter dash, the
200 meter dash, the long jump, and one for being
part of the 4x100 meter relay at the 1936 Olympic
Games in Berlin, Germany.
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 Considered
one of the greatest professional baseball pitchers
of all time, Satchel Paige dominated the Negro
Leagues for more than 20 years before signing his
first Major League Baseball contract in 1948 with
the Cleveland Indians.
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 Former
heavyweight boxer and Olympic gold medalist, Floyd
Patterson retired with an impressive career record
of 55 wins and 8 losses to become one of the most
respected fighters in boxing history.
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 On
April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson changed the landscape
of professional sports by becoming the first African
American Major League Baseball player. He helped
lead the Dodgers to six pennants and one World
Series Championship.
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 Considered
pound for pound the best boxer of all time, Sugar
Ray Robinson was a holder of many boxing records,
including the first boxer in history to win a divisional
world championship five times.
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