University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Nelson Mandela Trial
Nelson Mandela was willing to die for his belief in a free society where all people can live in harmony with equal opportunities. Instead, he spent eighteen years in jail. Read this in-depth summary of his trial. Included are...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Bill T. Jones
This is a collection of five video lessons about Bill T. Jones, an African American choreographer, director, author, and dancer, and his quest to determine if Abraham Lincoln was a Good Man! or a Good Man? from today's perspective.
University at Buffalo
Phat African American Poetry Book: Arna Bontemps
Three of Arna Bontemps' more famous poems are printed here.
Black Past
Black Past: Ellison, Ralph
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Ralph Ellison, African American novelist and essayist, famous for his book, "Invisible Man."
Scholastic
Scholastic: Culture & Change, Evolution of Black History
Explore the Black History in America in the lives of famous African Americans. Features include a clickable interactive timeline that highlights important events, accomplishments, and personalities from 1492 to 2001.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]
"An African American Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, a famous African American poet. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Invention Features: Lewis Latimer
Smithsonian site features the life and many accomplishments of Lewis Latimer, the famous African-American inventor.
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.
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...
Other
Arthur Ashe: Biography
This official Arthur Ashe biography describes his life in detail, from his childhood in Virginia to his record-breaking career in tennis. Readers will also learn about his work as an activist and philanthropist, and his HIV positive...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
History: Slavery: Prince Estabrook
Read about the life of Revolutionary War soldier Prince Estabrook and his time as a slave in the northern colonies.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Jackie Robinson
America honors Jackie Robinson's first year in baseball's major leagues. This site has a brief biography of Jackie Robinson and how he broke the race barrier.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Bass Reeves
Read about Bass Reeves, who escaped a life of slavery and became a United States marshall.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma State University: Encyclopedia: Bass Reeves
This biography describes the life of Bass Reeves, who fled slavery and became a United States marshall.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Audra Mc Donald
Biography of Audra McDonald, actress and winner of six Tony Awards.
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.
Other
Hall of Fame Biographies: John Maxwell (Michael) Coetzee
A brief biography of John Maxwell Coetzee, a professor and famous author from Africa. Read about his accomplishments which led him to be the first to win two Booker Awards.
Other
Hall of Fame Biographies: Adolph Gysbert Malan
A concise biography of Adolph Gysbert Malan (1910-1963), a famous South African fighter pilot. Read about his flight career and his achievements during World War II.
A&E Television
Biography: Barbara Jordan
A biography of Barbara Charline Jordan, who lived from 1936-1996. She was the first African American woman from the Deep South to hold a seat in Congress.
A&E Television
Biography: James Armistead (C. 1748 C. 1830)
Biography of James Armistead [Lafayete] who was born into slavery in Virginia and later became a famous American spy during the War for Independence.
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ella Fitzgerald
Brief biography of famous singer and Grammy winner Ella Fitzgerald.
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.