Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Isaac Hayes (B. 1942)
Overview of the life and career of soul musician Isaac Hayes who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best original Song for the "Theme from Shaft."
BBC
Bbc: Profile: Condoleezza Rice
A short biography of the first African-American to serve as Secretary of State. (30 March 2006)
A&E Television
Biography: Hiram R. 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: Barbara Jordan
Discusses the early life and career of Barbara Jordan who was the first African American elected to the Texas Senate and then the U.S. House of Representatives. When her political career was over, she took a teaching position at the...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Thurgood Marshall
PBS presents a biographical account of the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve in the court. Details his commitment to civil rights and liberties.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Hiram Rhodes Revels
Read here about the fascinating life of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Brown, View of the Lower Falls, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by Grafton Tyler Brown depicts the Grand Canyon, the one found at Yellowstone in Wyoming. Grafton Brown was one of the first African-American artists to depict scenes of the West. View...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: October 2: Thurgood Marshall
Site about the noted career of Thurgood Marshall, leading civil rights advocate and first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court. This article has information on his education, his work with the NAACP, his involvement in Brown v....
Curated OER
Cbc: African National Congress Spinoff Party Chooses Presidential Candidate
Unhappy members of the ruling African National Congress broke away to form South Africa's new COPE party. The party chose its first presidential candidate, Bishop Mvume Dandala who will run for the parliamentary election on April 22/09....
Other
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Oscar De Priest
Brief biographical facts on the first African American congressman from a northern state that was elected to the House of Representatives.
Other
First Boer War: Battle of Laing's Nek
An evaluation of the first Boer war including the Battle of Laing's Nek and the Battle of Majuba Hill. It provides an account of the war, equipment used, and outcomes of the conflicts.
Other
Usps: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Phillis Wheatley, Poet
A brief look at the fascinating life of African American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Provides two portraits, and a sample page from Wheatley's collection of poems.
Digital History
Digital History: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. In this biographical account, follow the steps of Marshall from his days as a law student at Howard Law School, to his victories as chief counsel for...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf]
"My New President" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about an African-American teen who learned about the government by working in Barack Obama's campaign office on Saturdays. It is followed by constructed-response questions...
A&E Television
History.com: How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball
Jackie Robinson's accomplishments on and off the field opens doors for all African Americans. Watch this video [3:04] to learn how.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Life of Firsts: Brief Biography of Vel Phillips
Born in Milwaukee in 1924, Vel Phillips was a women's and civil rights activist, and the first female African American lawyer in Wisconsin. Her many accomplishments as an African American woman paved the way for others.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Alvin Coffey, African American '49Er
Provides biography of an African American 49er with first hand accounts.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Black Past
Black Past: The First Emancipation
This encyclopedia entry gives interesting information about how the Quakers encouraged legislation that led to the banning of slavery in states in the Northeast by 1820.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Eyes on the Stars
On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a...
Other
Washington and Lee University: Black History Month: Maggie Lena Walker
Maggie L. Walker was the first female bank president of the United States. Learn about the life and work of this African American teacher and entrepreneur. This brief biography includes accompanying audio [1:49], as well as a...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman soared across the sky as the first African American and the first Native American woman pilot.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Condoleezza Rice
A good biography of the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary of State.