100 African Americans Who Shaped American History

For use in schools and libraries only. Offers brief biographies of African American educators, entertainers, inventors, authors, athletes, and others who have made important contributions to American life.

Since 1619, when Africans first came ashore in the swampy Chesapeake region of Virginia, there have been many individuals whose achievements or strength of character in the face of monumental hardships have called attention to the genius of the African American people. This book attempts to distill from many wonderful possibilities the 100 most outstanding examples of greatness. Pioneering scholar of African American Studies Molefi Kete Asante has used four criteria in his selection: the individual's significance in the general progress of African Americans toward full equality in the American social and political system; self-sacrifice and the demonstration of risk for the collective good; unusual will and determination in the face of the greatest danger or against the most stubborn odds; and personal achievement that reveals the best qualities of the African American people. In adopting these criteria Professor Asante has sought to steer away from the usual standards of popular culture, which often elevates the most popular, the wealthiest, or the most photogenic to the cult of celebrity. The individuals in this book - examples of lasting greatness as opposed to the ephemeral glare of celebrity fame - come from four centuries of African American history. Each entry includes brief biographical information, relevant dates, an assessment of the individual's place in African American history with particular reference to a historical timeline, and a discussion of his or her unique impact on American society. Numerous pictures and illustrations will accompany the articles. This superb reference work will complement any library and be of special interest to students and scholars of American and African American history.

For use in schools and libraries only. Offers brief biographies of African American educators, entertainers, inventors, authors, athletes, and others who have made important contributions to American life.

From Dred Scott to Toni Morrison, 100 African Americans Who Changed American History is a sweeping, insightful overview of African Americans who have played vital roles in the shaping of American history. Learn about Harriet Tubman, who fought for the abolition of slavery, and Louis Armstrong, a jazz pioneer. Find out how Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in the World Series, how Martin Luther King, Jr. led the fight for civil rights, and much more! Book jacket.

This original collection of quotations cites approximately 100 well-known African Americans from all walks of life, including Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Julian Bond, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, and Ralph Ellison.

Learn all about the fascinating lives and tremendous impact of 100 extraordinary women in America with this fact-filled biography collection for kids! Educational and engaging, this brand new edition of 100 American Women Who Shaped American History features: Simple, easy-to-read text that has been freshly updated Illustrated portraits of each figure Fascinating facts about famous and lesser-known women in history A timeline, trivia questions, project ideas, and more! From Martha Washington to Rose Fortune, Gertrude Stein to Florence Price, Dolly Parton to Simone Biles and many more, readers will dive into the lives of 100 female artists activists, scientists, and icons who left their mark on history. Organized chronologically, this thoroughly researched biography collection offers a look at how the discoveries, talents, and ideas of these women have helped guide the country since its very beginnings.

Chronologically organized, offers one hundred biographies of both historical and contemporary Native Americans from a wide variety of Nations.

Amazing stories of 100 Black Americans who everyone should know—for kids eight and up Engaging and packed with facts, 100 African Americans Who Shaped American History is the perfect history gift for curious kids! This biography book for kids features 100 easy-to-read one-page biographies: Find out how these Black Americans changed the course of history! Illustrated portraits: Each biography includes an illustration to help bring history to life! A timeline, trivia questions, project ideas and more: Boost your learning and test your knowledge with fun activities and resources! Discover artists, activists, icons, and legends throughout American history! 100 African Americans Who Shaped American History introduces kids of all ages to some of the most influential Black Americans from the very beginning of the country all the way up to present day. Learn all about the incredible lives and lasting legacies of figures like Harriet Tubman, Duke Ellington, Malcolm X, Mae Jemison, and many more!

Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years of Success, highlights the work of Black inventors from over seventy countries. The author, Keith C. Holmes, has spent more than twenty years researching Black inventors from countries that include Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cuba, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, St. Vincent, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States. Without inventions, innovations, financial resources, materials, muscle and labor saving devices, civilizations cannot exist and flourish. This book documents a number of inventions, patents and labor saving devices conceived by Black inventors. Among many other inventions, pre-enslaved Africans, developed agricultural tools, building materials, medicinal herbs, cloth and weapons. Although historical documents emphasize that millions of Black people arrived in Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States under slavery's yoke, it is relatively unknown that thousands of Africans and their descendants developed numerous labor-saving devices and inventions that spawned companies which generated money and jobs, worldwide. While most authors focus primarily on American and European inventors, Keith Holmes introduces inventions, both past and present, that Black people, developed and patented globally and multiculturally.Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years of Success, also features early Black inventors from virtually every state in the US. It includes details about the first Black inventor who obtained a patent in both the Caribbean and the United States. To date, seventeen African American men have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Two inventors, Jan E, Matzeliger, (Suriname) and Elijah McCoy, (Colchester, Canada) were not born in this countryThe material available in this book, one of the first to address the diversity of black inventors and their inventions from a global perspective, effectively gives the reader, researcher, librarian, student, and teacher the materials they need to understand that the Black inventor is not only a national phenomenon, but also a global giant.

Traces the lives of fourteen black scientists and inventors who have made significant contributions in the various fields of science and industry.

What do all these people have in common: the first man to die in the American Revolution, a onetime chief of the Crow Nation, the inventors of peanut butter and the portable X-ray machine, and the first person to make a wooden clock in this country? They were all great African Americans. For parents and teachers interested in fostering cultural awareness among children of all races, this book includes more than 70 hands-on activities, songs, and games that teach kids about the people, experiences, and events that shaped African American history. This expanded edition contains new material throughout, including additional information and biographies. Children will have fun designing an African mask, making a medallion like those worn by early abolitionists, playing the rhyming game "Juba," inventing Brer Rabbit riddles, and creating a unity cup for Kwanzaa. Along the way they will learn about inspiring African American artists, inventors, and heroes like Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes, and Louis Armstrong, to name a few.

#1 New Release in Cultural Heritage ― Making a Better America Black Americans who have shaped their country and beyond: We are familiar with a handful of African Americans who are mentioned in American history books, but there are also countless others who do not get recognized in mainstream media. Their actions may not have appeared to shake the world, but their contributions to shifting American culture were just as groundbreaking. There’s more than one way to make a difference: The achievements of the Black Americans included in this book range from athletic to artistic, literary to scientific. Their biographies vary greatly, but each one contributes to the course of Black history and its influence on the greater world. Their stories encourage readers, especially teenage boys and girls, to find their own path to change. Celebrate the successes made possible by diversity: African Americans have made history by challenging and changing the American landscape. This was accomplished not by shedding layers of originality, but by wearing their colors proudly and openly in the world. Growth has been made possible by a resistance to conformity and a fusing of cultures, African and American alike. Monique L. Jones’s The Book of Awesome Black Americans is more than a Black history book. It’s a celebration of Black people. In this book, you will find: • Amazing role models who brought on change by using their gifts and passions to overcome societal barriers • Stories mainstream media failed to mention that are sure to inspire, motivate, and educate readers of all backgrounds • Testimonies that demonstrate how American culture thrives when it celebrates diversity and promotes inclusiveness If you enjoyed books such as 100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History, Bedtime Inspirational Stories, or Becca Anderson’s The Book of Awesome Women, then The Book of Awesome Black Americans should be your next read!

Details the lives and accomplishments of one hundred Hispanic-American men and wome, and their impact on American history.

A comprehensive, entertaining look at heroes, heroines, and critical moments from African American history -- from the slave trade to the Black Lives Matter movement -- by award-winning author Jabari Asim. Jabari Asim goes beyond what's taught in the classroom to reveal a fact-filled history of African American history through politics, activism, sports, entertainment, music, and much more. You'll follow the road to freedom beginning with the slave trade and the middle passage through the abolitionist movement and the Civil War where many African Americans fought as soldiers. You'll learn how slave songs often contained hidden messages and how a 15-year-old Jamaican-born young man named Clive Campbell helped to create hip-hop in the early 1970's. You'll experience the passionate speeches, marches, and movements of the Civil Rights era along with and the sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and many others. Along the way there are dozens of profiles of political trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, the first black women elected to Congress in 1968; dominants athletes like Tiger Woods who, in 1995, was only the second African American to play in a Master's Golf Tournament which he went on to win in 1997; popular musicians like Miles Davis, one the most influential artists of the twentieth century; and inspiring writers like Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in literature. Filled with beautiful illustrations by Lynn Gaines that bring these figures and events to life, plus a removable historical timeline poster, A Child's Introduction to African American History is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to this often overlooked yet immensely important part of American history.

This comprehensive and entertaining account of African-American history is presented in a fun, engaging, and intelligent way. Significant information in six broad sections includes Great Migrations; Civil Rights and Politics; Science, Inventions, and Medicine; Sports; Military; Culture and Religion.

Learn all about the fascinating lives and tremendous impact of 100 extraordinary Native Americans with this fact-filled biography collection for kids. Educational and engaging, 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History features: Simple, easy-to-read text that has been freshly updated and now includes brand-new additions of John Herrington and Deb Haaland Illustrated portraits of each figure Fascinating facts about famous and lesser-known Native American heroes A timeline, trivia questions, project ideas and more! From Squanto to Sacagawea, Sitting Bull to Crazy Horse, Ramona Bennett to Louise Erdrich and many more, readers will be introduced to artists, activists, scientists, and icons throughout history. Organized chronologically, 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History offers a look at the prominent role these men and women played and how their talents, ideas, and expertise have influenced the country from its very beginnings all the way through the present day.

Learn all about the fascinating lives and tremendous impact of 100 extraordinary Hispanic and Latino Americans with this fact-filled biography collection for kids. Educational and engaging, 100 Hispanic and Latino Americans Who Shaped American History features: Simple, easy-to-read text that has been freshly updated and now includes brand-new additions of Gloria E. Anzaldúa and Justice Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated portraits of each figure Fascinating facts about famous and lesser-known Hispanic American heroes A timeline, trivia questions, project ideas and more! From Mariano Vallejo to Carmen Miranda, Cesar Chavez to Oscar de la Renta, Aliza Lifshitz to Sandra Cisneros and many more, readers will be introduced to artists, activists, scientists, and icons throughout history. Organized chronologically, 100 Hispanic and Latino Americans Who Shaped American History offers a look at the prominent role these men and women played and how their talents, ideas, and expertise have influenced the country from its very beginning all the way through the present day.

Meet extraordinary black heroes throughout history—biographies for kids ages 8 to 12 You’re invited to meet ancient Egyptian rulers, brilliant scientists, legendary musicians, and civil rights activists—all in the same book! Black Heroes introduces you to 51 black leaders and role models from both history and modern times. This black history book for kids features inspirational biographies of trailblazers from the United States, Egypt, Britain, and more. Discover where in the world they lived, and what their lives were like growing up. Learn about the obstacles they faced on the way to making groundbreaking accomplishments. You’ll find out how these inspirational figures created lasting change—and paved the way for future generations. Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids features: Fascinating biographies―Read about famous icons like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet Tubman, as well as lesser-known pioneers like aviator Bessie Coleman and astronomer Benjamin Banneker. Ways to learn more―Every biography includes an idea for a new way to explore the person and their work, like a book to read, website to visit, or video to watch. Colorful portraits―Bring the historical heroes to life in your imagination with the help of full-color illustrations. Black Heroes goes beyond other black history biographies for kids to highlight people from around the world and across time. Who will your new hero be?

A New York Times Notable Book for 2022 The definitive history of World War II from the African American perspective, written by civil rights expert and Dartmouth history professor Matthew Delmont “Matthew F. Delmont’s book is filled with compelling narratives that outline with nuance, rigor, and complexity how Black Americans fought for this country abroad while simultaneously fighting for their rights here in the​ United States. Half American belongs firmly within the canon of indispensable World War II books.” —Clint Smith, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America Over one million Black men and women served in World War II. Black troops were at Normandy, Iwo Jima, and the Battle of the Bulge, serving in segregated units and performing unheralded but vital support jobs, only to be denied housing and educational opportunities on their return home. Without their crucial contributions to the war effort, the United States could not have won the war. And yet the stories of these Black veterans have long been ignored, cast aside in favor of the myth of the “Good War” fought by the “Greatest Generation.” Half American is American history as you’ve likely never read it before. In these pages are stories of Black heroes such as Thurgood Marshall, the chief lawyer for the NAACP, who investigated and publicized violence against Black troops and veterans; Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., leader of the Tuskegee Airmen, who was at the forefront of the years-long fight to open the Air Force to Black pilots; Ella Baker, the civil rights leader who advocated on the home front for Black soldiers, veterans, and their families; James Thompson, the 26-year-old whose letter to a newspaper laying bare the hypocrisy of fighting against fascism abroad when racism still reigned at home set in motion the Double Victory campaign; and poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a war correspondent for the Black press. Their bravery and patriotism in the face of unfathomable racism is both inspiring and galvanizing. In a time when the questions World War II raised regarding race and democracy in America remain troublingly relevant and still unanswered, this meticulously researched retelling makes for urgently necessary reading.

The book does not attempt to tell the complete history of all the accomplishments of African American men and women featured in the book. But it is my hope that the book will become a starting point for further study of the contributions and achievements that a lot of African Americans have made in the past that helped shape American history. Many significant events and personalities in the African American's history and life portrayed in the book are respectfully highlighted as they pursued their goals in American society. The social, scientific, artistic, athletic, religious, educational, and economic development of African American characters was researched and carefully studied to examine the stories of African Americans as slaves who later became emancipated that helped shape American history. The basic aim of the book is to promote a better understanding of America's past by developing an increased awareness of the magnitude of the contribution of the African American in some areas of American life and through all periods of American history. Finally, the book is designed to give teachers and students in our educational and religious institutions a broader and more factual statement of the African Americans role in our nation's history so that the reader will realize that African American history is American history.