J. R. Todd, a leading drag racer and crew chief, was the first African American to win a Top Fuel competition sponsored by the National Hot Rod Association. He was born Mario Luther Todd Jr. in Lawrenceburg, Indiana on December 16, 1981 to Mario Luther … Read MoreJ. R. Todd (1981- )
Thomas Blackshear is a renowned painter and sculptor. Blackshear was born in Waco, Texas on November 14, 1955 to Thomas Richman Blackshear, a U.S. Air Force pilot, and his wife, whose name is unknown. Mostly raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Blackshear loved to draw. Upon finishing … Read MoreThomas Richman Blackshear II (1955- )
Ron Stallworth was the first African American police officer and detective hired by the Colorado Springs Police Department. He also holds the distinction of being the only African American “member” of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Stallworth was born on June 18, 1953, in Chicago, … Read MoreRonald Tobias Stallworth (1953- )
Roland Scott was an American pediatrician and researcher, known for his pioneering work on sickle cell disease and his advocacy on behalf of patients impacted by the illness. Roland Boyd Scott was born on April 18, 1909 in Houston, Texas. Later his family moved to … Read MoreRoland Scott (1909-2002)
Fred Whitfield is a black rodeo cowboy who holds eight world championships in tie-down roping with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Born August 5, 1967 in Houston, Texas to parents Willie and Marie Whitfield who bore five children; two were given up for adoption … Read MoreFred Whitfield (1967- )
Vanessa Diane Gilmore is the first African American and the youngest sitting federal judge at the time of appointment for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Vanessa Diane Gilmore was born in October, 1956 in St. Albans, New York and … Read MoreVanessa Diane Gilmore (1956- )
Erykah Badu is an award-winning singer and songwriter who has been hailed as one of the most gifted rhythm and blues singers of the current era and has earned her title as the Queen of neo-soul; a mix of modern soul and R&B with influences from hip-hop, jazz, pop, African music, … Read MoreErykah Badu (1971- )
Kehinde Wiley, an artist, is best known for his 2018 official portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and the first African American to complete a portrait of a president for the National Portrait Gallery. Wiley was born a twin in Los Angeles, California on February 28, 1977, to Isaiah D. … Read MoreKehinde Obot Wiley (1977- )
William Jones, one of the last Buffalo Soldiers, was also a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Prisoner of War (POW) in Korea and successful entrepreneur. Jones was born in Tamo, Arkansas to farmers Joseph and Elizabeth Jones on July 15, 1918, the youngest of seven children. Jones grew up in Kansas and attended the … Read MoreWilliam Jones (1918-2009)
Joan Elizabeth Higginbotham was the third African American woman to go into space. Higginbotham was born on August 3, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois. As a youngster she loved cycling, music, and motivational speaking. She attended Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago and graduated in 1982. She … Read MoreJoan Elizabeth Higginbotham (1964- )
