Youssou N’Dour is a Senegalese singer from Dakar. He is a singer, songwriter, composer, actor, businessman, and politician. In 1979, he formed an ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar, later changing the name to The In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine described him as, “perhaps the most
Madam C.J. Walker was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist and self made millionaire. She founded the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in 1910, the company was dedicated to developing beauty products for black women. Madam C.J. Walker made her fortune
Kathleen Deanna Battle is an American operatic soprano born in Portsmouth, Ohio. Kathleen Battle was initially known for her work in concert repertoire and through performances with major orchestras. She made her opera debut in 1975, Kathleen is one of
Ralph Bunche was a political scientist, academic, and a diplomat. He received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his work brokering an Armistice Agreements in the Middle East. He was also the first African American to be so honored. Mr. Bunche was a diplomat for
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. Basquiat first achieved fame as part of SAMO, an informal graffiti duo who wrote enigmatic epigrams in the cultural hotbed of the Lower East Side of Manhattan during
Yaa Asantewaa was the queen mother of the Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire (now part of modern day Ghana). In 1900 she led the Ashanti war against British colonialism. The war was also known as the War of the Golden
James Forten was an African American abolitionist and wealthy businessman. He was born a free man in 1766 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. At the age of 8 James’s father died in a tragic boating accident, James then had to take on
Richard Allen was a founder and the first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The AME church is the oldest African American church in the United States. Richard was a minister, educator, writer and leader. The AME church grew
Mama Africa – was the nickname for the South African Singer, Songwriter, Actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador. Miriam Makeba was also a civil rights activist, she fought against the white apartheid system in South Africa. Some of the musical
Richmond Barthé is an African American sculpture, he is most often associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Barthé was born in 1901 and died on March 5, 1989. He is best known for his portrayal of black subjects in his artwork.
