Famous black people who changed the world
A list of inspirational black people who played a key role in the world and American history.
Martin Luther King
(1929 – 1968) – King was a pivotal figure in the non-violent civil
rights movement. During the 1950s and 1960s, he sought to improve race
relations and overturn discrimination in American society. He is
remembered for his powerful speeches which sought to bring about a
united society – where race did not act as a barrier.
Nelson Mandela
(1918 – 2013 ) – Mandela spent most of his life campaigning for an end
to apartheid in South Africa. After over 20 years in prison, he was
released and was able to be the first elected President in
post-apartheid, South Africa. He was also admired for his forgiveness
and willingness to reach out to the white community in South Africa.
Barack Obama
(1961- ) – First US President of African origin. Obama served two terms
as President and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama implemented
health care reform and spoke about the need for Americans to remain
united, despite differences of political opinion.
Jesse Owens
(1913-1980) (athletics) Won four Olympic Golds at ‘Hitler’s Olympics’,
Berlin 1936. Owens maintained a dignified stance on civil rights,
despite enduring discrimination during his life.
Desmond Tutu
(1931 – ) Leading figurehead in the South African anti-apartheid
movement. Desmond Tutu is also a leading figure in speaking out for
humanitarian and civil rights issues.
Mohammed Ali
(1942 – ) Great boxer of the 1960s. Refused to fight in Vietnam. Then a
controversial decision, he later became widely admired as a principled
figure of great stature.
Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895) A former slave, Douglass became a leading figurehead in the
anti-slavery movement. One of the most prominent African American
leaders of the Nineteenth Century. His autobiography of life as a slave,
and his speeches denouncing slavery – were influential in changing
public opinion.
Kofi Annan (1938 – ) UN Secretary-General from Ghana who served two terms. Widely admired for his skills of patience and diplomacy.
Toussaint Louverture (1743 – 1803) Leader of Haitian slave
revolt. In 1791, he led the successful military revolt in Saint-Domingue
and over the next years consolidated his power and influence restoring
the plantation system with paid labour. Louverture enabled the colony to
end slavery and in 1804 declared itself the independent Republic of
Haiti.
Booker T. Washington (1856
– 1915) Author and orator, Washington was an adviser to the presidents
of Roosevelt and Taft. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth
century, he was often considered the de facto leader of African-Americans. He advocated an incremental approach to improving education and life prospects of black Americans.
W.E.B. Du Bois (1868 – 1963) Du Bois was an influential
African-American activist who sought to campaign for full equality
between blacks and whites. He rejected the Atlanta compromise of 1909
but insisted on full equality. Thought little change was achieved in the
‘Progressive Era’, Du Bois laid the framework for the NAACP and future
civil rights movements.
Malcolm X
(1925-1965) – Member of the Nation of Islam which advocated black
self-determination and separation of black and white people. He later
disavowed racism and the Nation of Islam.
Pele
(1940 – ) (Brazil, footballer) Pele was the greatest footballer of the
century. Since retirement Pele become a global ambassador for sport and
is a well-known advocate of overcoming poverty.
Oliver Tambo
(1917 – 1993). President of the ANC (1960 – 1990). Tambo was a leading
figure in promoting international opposition to the apartheid regime in
South Africa.
Michael Jordan
(1963 – ) Considered the greatest basketball player of all time. He was
six times NBA champion and played an influential role in popularising
basketball in 1980s and 1990s.
Thurgood Marshall (1908 – 1993) US civil rights
lawyer and the first African-American appointed to the US Supreme Court
Justice. Marshall was the lead lawyer in the pivotal Supreme Court Case Brown vs Board of Education, Topeka (1954) which overturned legal segregation in the US.
Chinua Achebe (1930 – 2013) Best selling Nigerian novelist. He wrote the 1958 classic, ‘Things Fall Apart’ Achebe
was interested in religion and the influences of both Christianity and
native African traditions. Professor at Bard College, the US.
Usain Bolt (1986
– ) (Jamaica, athletics) Usain Bolt is an iconic figure in athletics.
He won triple Olympic gold at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and
broke the world record for 100m and 200m. Also took part in sport with a
natural enthusiasm and joy.
Carl Lewis (1961 – ) (US, athletics) Nine-time Olympic gold
medalist, Carl Lewis won gold over three Olympics and was the great star
of 1980s track and field.
Bob Marley (1945 – 1981) Jamaican singer-songwriter. Cultural icon and global music star. A committed Rastafari who helped make reggae an international phenomenon.
Famous Black women
Sojourner Truth
(1797 – 1883) African-American abolitionist and women’s rights
campaigner. In 1851, gave a famous extemporaneous speech “Ain’t I a
woman?” which supported equal rights for blacks and women.
Harriet Tubman
(1822 – 1913) – A Former slave who escaped and then helped many more to
escape on the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as
spy and guide to the Union Forces – This included guided a party of
soldiers at Combahee Ferry, which helped free 700 slaves.
Ida Wells (1862
– 1931) Wells was a pioneering journalist and newspaper editor. She
used her position to investigate the practice of lynching in the south. A
fearless civil rights activist and female suffrage campaigner, she was a
founder member of the NAACP in 1909.
Hattie McDaniel (1895 – 1952) McDaniel was an actress, comedian, and
singer-songwriter. She was the first African-American actress to be
awarded an Oscar for best-supporting actress in the 1939 film “Gone With
the Wind”
Rosa Parks
(1913 – 2005) – Instrumental in the US civil rights movement of the
1950s and 60s. It was Parks who began an influential boycott of
segregated buses in 1955. She remained an influential figure in the
civil rights movement, encouraging a break-down of racial barriers.
Billie Holiday (1915–1959)
American jazz singer. Given the title “First Lady of the Blues.” Billie
Holiday was widely considered to be the greatest and most expressive
jazz singer of all time. Her voice was moving in its emotional intensity
and poignancy. Despite dying at the age of only 44, Billie Holiday
helped define the jazz era and her recordings are still widely sold
today.
Shirley Chisholm (1924 – 2005) The first black Congresswoman.
She was elected to the House of Representatives for NY in 1968. She used
her time in Congress to campaign for women’s and civil rights. She
served from 1968 to 1983 and was the first black women to run for the
Democratic Presidential nomination.
Coretta Scott King (1927 –
2006) Scott King was an author, musician, civil rights activist and
wife of Martin Luther King. She played a prominent role in the civil
rights campaigns, both before and after her husband’s assassination. She
founded the King Centre and campaigned for Martin Luther King Day to be
a national holiday (established 1982)
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (1938 – ) Africa’s first elected female Head
of State. She served as president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. She was
jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work in supporting
democracy and women’s rights.
Oprah Winfrey
(1954 – ) Influential US media personality with groundbreaking chat
show and own book club. Winfrey is active in many liberal causes and
promotion of civil rights.
Wangari Muta Maathai (1940 – 2011) Kenyan environmental and political activist. Awarded the Nobel peace prize 2004 for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.”
Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) American poet, writer and civil rights campaigner. Her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
was received to wide-acclaim, she redefined the genre of autobiography
to promote a different perspective on Africa-Americans.
Whoopi Goldberg (1955 – ) American actress, comedian,
author, and television host. Goldberg was the second black female actor
to be awarded an Oscar for best-supporting actress. She was also awarded
an Emmy Award (tv) a Grammy Award (music industry) and a Tony Award
(live theatre)
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
(1962-) US, athletics. One of the most successful female track and
field athletes. Won Olympic gold in Heptathlon and Long Jump.
Michelle Obama (1964 – ) Lawyer and writer, Michelle
was the First Lady of the US during her husband’s presidency 2009-17.
She has often given well-received speeches at the Democratic convention.
She is widely admired for the promotion of causes such as good health,
exercise and nutrition – an approach that has transcended partisan
boundaries.
Deratu Tulu (1972 – ) (Ethiopia, athlete) The first Ethiopian female athlete to win Olympic gold. Tulu won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the 10,000m.
Tegla Laroupe
(1973 – ) – Keynan long distance runner and global spokesperson for
peace. Broke world records from 20km to the marathon. Now runs Tegla
Loroupe Peace Foundation.
Serena Williams (1981 – ) (US, tennis) 23 single grand slam
titles, 15 doubles titles. Also has won four Olympic gold medals.
Williams is most decorated and highest earning female tennis player in
history.
Michael Jackson
(1958 – 2009) – Musician and singer. Famous for albums such as ‘Bad’
and “Off the Wall”. Jackson was also a pioneer of music videos.
Beyonce (1981 – ) (US, singer) American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. One of the best selling artists of the modern era. Also noted for positions on women and civil rights.
