PBS
Africans in America: Phillis Wheatley
This website briefly describes the life of Phillis Wheatley, poetess and freed slave.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of African Art: A First Look at the Disney Tishman Collection
A survey of traditional African art in a variety of media--wood, ivory, metal, and ceramics--from an impressive collection donated to the National Museum of African Art by Walt Disney in 2005. Includes examples of masks from the Yoruba...
Black Past
Black Past: Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback
An interesting biography of P.B.S. Pinchback, first African American to be governor of any state. Read about his childhood, his life in politics, and his education to be a lawyer.
Black Past
Black Past: Turner, Henry Mc Neal (1834 1915)
Discover interesting facts about political activist and minister, Henry Turner, who became the "first African American chaplain in the history of the United States Army."
Black Past
Black Past: Aldridge, Ira
This brief encyclopedia entry tells about Ira Aldridge, the first African-American actor to gain international stardom.
Black Past
Black Past: Marian Anderson
Short encyclopedia entry provides an overview of the inspirational life of Marian Anderson, the first African American woman to sing with the Metropolitan Opera.
Black Past
Black Past: Phillis Wheatley
This on-line encyclopedia article gives information about Phillis Wheatley, the Boston slave who surprised colonial America with her poetry. She was the first African-American woman to have her work published.
Black Past
Black Past: Young, Colonel Charles
In this encyclopedia article, you can learn about Col. Charles Young, the first African-American colonel in the U.S. Army.
Black Past
Black Past: Hiram Rhodes Revels
Read about the life and political career of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the United States Senate.
A&E Television
History.com: Black History Milestones
A detailed account of the history of African Americans is presented in this article. Divided by main topics or periods of time, the coming of slavery to America is the first focus. Followed by plantation life and escapes to freedom and...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Maggie L. Walker
Maggie Lena Walker was an entrepreneur and the first female bank president in the United States. Find out about the personal life and many impressive career firsts of this African American teacher and businesswoman.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Negro Holocaust, 1880 1950
This resource provides information on the lynching of African Americans, what it was, why it happened and how frequently it happened. It also outlines race riots in the first part of the 20th century as well as discussion on the black...
PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: From Freedom to Slavery
Some of the African-American writers and poets who spoke out eloquently about their experiences of slavery in the 1700s and 1800s are featured in this section of Literature & Life. Read powerful first-person accounts of Harriet...
Other
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Revelations
A description of the dance Revelations, choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The dance was first performed on January 31, 1960, and made Ailey an overnight sensation in the dance world. Includes video and photographs, as well as links to videos...
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.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier
Information on baseball legend Jackie Robinson who became the first African American player to play in the major leagues. Contains Dodger manager Branch Rickey's account of the interview with Robinson offering him this chance.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Black Beauty: Millionaire c.j. Walker
Provides biographical information about Madame C.J. Walker, the first African-American millionaire.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Bessie Coleman 1892 1926
The first African American woman to receive an official pilot's license, Bessie Coleman led a captivating life. Here you can learn about her many accomplishments.
Info Please
Infoplease: Timeline: Key Moments in Black History
A timeline of African-American history from when the first African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619 up to the present.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Bessie Coleman
Biographical overview of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman and also the first of Native-American descent female pilot.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Fly Girls: Bessie Coleman
A biography of the first African American female pilot, Bessie Coleman (1892-1926).
State Library of North Carolina
N Cpedia: Hiram Rhoades Revels
Biography of Hiram Rhoades Revels, who is best remembered as not only the first African American to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate, but also for his dedication to improving the spiritual and educational needs of the African American...
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.
ESPN Internet Ventures
Espn: Brown Bomber' Was a Hero to All
Joe Louis was the first African American sports hero. Here you can read about the life and career of the 1937-1949 world's heavyweight champion who is number eleven on ESPN's list of great athletes of the 20th century.