From famous boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, to the tennis duo Venus and Serena Williams, golf legend Tiger Woods, baseball players …

African Americans are also active in the field of literary activism and politics. The current president of the United States, Barrack Obama is also African American, as well as the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. One of the fields that famous African Americans have contributed to the most is sports. This mindset took a long time to change, and it was only by the end of the 20th century that African Americans began to gain an equal footing in society. 1885-1943.

George Washington Buckner. However, because of centuries of under representation, they still lag behind culturally and socially in many aspects of society. Although in the 20th century slavery was officially outlawed, the unjust treatment of African Americans was far from over. One of the top entertainers today is Oprah Winfrey, who came from extremely humble beginnings, but is now an inspiration for millions of women worldwide and owns a multi-billion dollar television network. From famous boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, to the tennis duo Venus and Serena Williams, golf legend Tiger Woods, baseball players such as Jackie Robinson, endless list of NBA players such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant – the list goes on and on.

1844-1929. Others, like Black journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett and scholar W.E.B.

World renowned actors and directors such as Martin Lawrence, Morgan Freeman, Spike Lee, Sidney Poitier, Laurence Fishburne and Denzel Washington are paid millions of dollars for their work. African Americans have advocated for civil rights since the earliest days of the United States. Physician and diplomat. King and numerous others showcase a range of talent that is both diverse and impressive. DuBois, paved the way with their own contributions in the century's first decades.

With the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement, led by leaders such as well-known African Americans like Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington and Rosa Parks, the Civil Rights Act was adopted in 1964. Notable African American actors, in both movies and theatre have made their mark as well. This mindset took a long time to change, and it was only by the end of the 20th century that African Americans began to gain an equal footing in society. Inventor.

Elijah McCoy. In her years she saved hundreds of African-Americans from slavery via the Underground Railraod. Today African American cultural influence is pervasive, with their representation in media, sports, entertainment, politics and society being on the rise. Slavery was rife in the 18th and 19th centuries and black people were treated as nothing more than mere possessions. 100 Greatest African Americans is a biographical dictionary of one hundred historically great Black Americans (in alphabetical order; that is, they are not ranked), as assessed by Temple University professor Molefi Kete Asante in 2002. Despite the fact that African Americans have been suppressed in every possible way for many centuries, they have a rich culture and history. Leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X are two of the best-known civil rights leaders of the 20th century.

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) Known For: He was a longstanding leader in the African-American community Booker T. Washington was known for being a great speaker, educator, author and presidential advisor. Renowned poets and writers such as Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurst are foremost names that come to mind.

Loosely defined, African Americans are people whose ancestral heritage is tied to Africa as well as America. Copyright © 2016 FamousAfricanAmericans.org, Museum Dedicated to African American History and Culture is Set to Open in 2016, Scholarships for African Americans – Black Scholarships, Top 10 Most Famous Black Actors of All Time. African-American slave: Duke Ellington: April 29, 1899 - May 24, 1974: Washington, D.C. … Sgt. Invented an automatic lubricator for oiling the steam engines of locomotives, boats, etc. Carney was the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Missy Elliott, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, B.B. One of the fields that famous African Americans have contributed to the most is sports. In the music industry too, African Americans have dominated the scene. He was initially born into slavery and after emancipation he became the voice for former slaves and other … A lot of famous African Americans have made their mark in diverse fields such as music, sports, movies, theatre and world politics.

First African American to serve as diplomatic minister to a foreign country. Many Southern States continued to treat blacks as second class citizens by adopting the “Jim Crow” laws which required blacks to eat at separate restaurants, study at separate schools and use separate transportation.