Benjamin Banneker 1731 – 1806
Photo By bannekerfranklin.org
Born as a free man, Benjamin Banneker is often considered to be one of the first African American scientists. Although he attended school, most of his scientific and mathematical knowledge came from self-teaching. At the age of 24, he successfully managed to make his own working clock out of wood; known to be the first clock in the New World – it worked perfectly for 40 years. He also served as a surveyor for a piece of land that would become Washington D.C. He was especially known for his knowledge in astronomy; he published a series of popular almanacs entitled, Benjamin Banneker’s Almanac, from 1792-97.
He was also known to have ties with various political entities of his time – most notably Thomas Jefferson. He had a correspondence with Thomas Jefferson on the issue of slavery and African American equality. Jefferson, who owned slaves, was known to agree with Banneker’s vision however no political reforms were made on his part.
“The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers.” – Benjamin Banneker
Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable 1745 – 1813
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was the first ever resident of Chicago (then officially under Native American territory); often referred to as the “founder of Chicago”. A jack of all trades (knowledgeable in fields of carpentry, cooperage, milling, and distillation); he helped erect various buildings in Chicago which will help turn the city into a popular trading center.
Sojourner Truth 1797 – 1883
Born as Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and a women’s rights activist. She escaped slavery with her infant daughter – unfortunately leaving her son behind. However, upon hearing that the slave owner had illegally sold her son to someone in Alabama, she filed a case and became one of the first black women to file a case against a white man and win; her son was returned to her!
After living several years amongst struggle and legal complications; she was a suspect for a murder case for which no evidence was collected against her. She then went on to fight for abolition of slavery and women’s rights; she became quite a notorious speaker and gave speeches to huge crowds regarding these issues. Her most famous speech comes from Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron entitled, “Ain’t I a Woman?”; excerpt for which can be found online!
She continued her work during the Civil War by using her reputation to encourage African American people to join the army. Her work continued after the war; she wanted to see African Americans live a sufficient life with their own properties and no form of servitude.
Nat Turner 1800 – 1831
Nat Turner was a rebellion leader who led an uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in August of 1831. The accounts of the rebellion show 50 slaves killing about 55 whites; including women and children. The group had started with just 4 people, but grew to 50; partially due to Turner’s qualities with motivational speaking as he was also a preacher. The rebellion eventually came across a local militia who suppressed the revolt. Although Turner had fled, he was traced down by October and was given a speedy trial; he was sentenced to death.
George Washington Buckner 1885 – 1943
Born into slavery and freed at the age of 10, George Washington Buckner was a physician and a diplomat. He is known to be the first ever African American diplomat; at the request of President Woodrow Wilson, he served as a “minister resident” of Liberia from 1913-15.
Madame CJ Walker 1867 – 1919
Madame CJ Walker, born as Sarah Breedlove, was the first ever female self-made millionaire in United States. Her initial years were not very kind to her; she was orphaned at 6 and was a widow by 20. However, she was a determined mother and a hard worker. One day she figured out ways to straighten hair for African Americans (a process that required heated combs and brushes) and the rest is history. She made enough money to move her practice to Denver and began selling her products under the title Madame CJ Walker; she had married a man named Charles J. Walker. Madame CJ Walker products were an instant hit amongst the African American crowd.
Bessie Coleman 1982 – 1926
Driven by her mother to exceed in life, Bessie Coleman discovered her love for airplanes after graduating high school. Since no domestic instructors would teach an African American woman the art of flying, she took her dreams to France where she would go on to earn her pilot license; thus becoming the first black woman in the world to get a pilot license and the first woman overall to get an international pilot license. She returned to US and gave lectures and performed shows along with curating plans to start a pilot school for African Americans. However, her love for planes also became the reason for her demise as she died in a crash.
Edward Brooke III 1919 – 2015
Edward Brooke III was the first African American elected to the US Senate as a member of the Republican Party; not another African American was elected in the US Senate again till 1993. Prior to joining politics, he had graduated from Harvard University and had fought in World War II; he had reached the rank of Captain.
Claudette Colvin 1939 – Present
Photo by Biography.com
Before Rosa Parks had become infamous for the Montgomery Bus case, there was Claudette Colvin who had actually committed the same act just 9 months ago. At the age of 15, Colvin and her friends sat in the middle of the bus. While her friends were successfully intimidated to move to the back, Colvin stood her ground. She was beaten, arrested, and put in an adult prison for the incident.
However, Colvin was not considered the appropriate face for the movement and thus Rosa Parks was chosen instead.