Black History
Ella Fitzgerald was the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award, 1958. Over the course of her career, Fitzgerald won thirteen Grammies, sold over 40 million records, performed for 58 years, and was inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame.
grammy.com/news/remembe...
Ella Fitzgerald was the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award, 1958. Over the course of her career, Fitzgerald won thirteen Grammies, sold over 40 million records, performed for 58 years, and was inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame.
grammy.com/news/remembe...
Remembering Ella Fitzgerald: 7 notable firsts | GRAMMY.com
As the world's leading society of music professionals, the Recording Academy is dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and sustaining music's past, present, and future.
grammy.com
February 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Black History
Ella Fitzgerald was the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award, 1958. Over the course of her career, Fitzgerald won thirteen Grammies, sold over 40 million records, performed for 58 years, and was inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame.
grammy.com/news/remembe...
Ella Fitzgerald was the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award, 1958. Over the course of her career, Fitzgerald won thirteen Grammies, sold over 40 million records, performed for 58 years, and was inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame.
grammy.com/news/remembe...
Black History Month
Jill Elaine Brown was the first African American woman to be admitted into the U.S. Navy flight training program. And in 1978 became the first African-American female pilot to fly for a major U.S. commercial airline.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Jill Elaine Brown was the first African American woman to be admitted into the U.S. Navy flight training program. And in 1978 became the first African-American female pilot to fly for a major U.S. commercial airline.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Jill Elaine Brown (1950- ) •
Jill Elaine Brown became the first African American woman to serve as a pilot for a major U.S. airline when she was hired by Texas International Airlines at the age of 28. Her passion for flying began...
www.blackpast.org
February 27, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Black History Month
Jill Elaine Brown was the first African American woman to be admitted into the U.S. Navy flight training program. And in 1978 became the first African-American female pilot to fly for a major U.S. commercial airline.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Jill Elaine Brown was the first African American woman to be admitted into the U.S. Navy flight training program. And in 1978 became the first African-American female pilot to fly for a major U.S. commercial airline.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Black History Month
In 1909, Matthew Henson became the first African American explorer of the North Pole.
unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2025/01/21/s...
In 1909, Matthew Henson became the first African American explorer of the North Pole.
unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2025/01/21/s...
Spotlight: Matthew Henson, Explorer
Matthew Henson was an African American explorer most known for accompanying Robert Peary on multiple expeditions to the Arctic, and in 1909 they claimed to be the first team to reach the North Pole…
unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov
February 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Black History Month
In 1909, Matthew Henson became the first African American explorer of the North Pole.
unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2025/01/21/s...
In 1909, Matthew Henson became the first African American explorer of the North Pole.
unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2025/01/21/s...
Black History Month
1921, Bessie Coleman became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license.
www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
1921, Bessie Coleman became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license.
www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
Biography: Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman soared across the sky as the first African American, and the first Native American, woman pilot.
www.womenshistory.org
February 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Black History Month
1921, Bessie Coleman became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license.
www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
1921, Bessie Coleman became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license.
www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
Black History Month
Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman doctor in the United States. She completed medical school at the New England Female Medical College and received her M.D. in 1864
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman doctor in the United States. She completed medical school at the New England Female Medical College and received her M.D. in 1864
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) •
Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman doctor in the United States. She completed medical school at the New England Female Medical College and received her M.D. in 1864. ...
www.blackpast.org
February 23, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Black History Month
Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman doctor in the United States. She completed medical school at the New England Female Medical College and received her M.D. in 1864
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman doctor in the United States. She completed medical school at the New England Female Medical College and received her M.D. in 1864
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
William Wells Brown, African American lecturer, groundbreaking novelist, playwright, and historian. Widely considered to have been the first African American to publish works in several major literary genres. Known for his political activism especially involvement with the anti-slavery movement
February 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
William Wells Brown, African American lecturer, groundbreaking novelist, playwright, and historian. Widely considered to have been the first African American to publish works in several major literary genres. Known for his political activism especially involvement with the anti-slavery movement
Black History Month
Mae Jemison: First African American Woman in Space
On Sept. 12, 1992, aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, Mae Jemison and six other astronauts completed 126 orbits around the Earth. A mission specialist, she was a co-investigator of two bone cell research experiments.
Mae Jemison: First African American Woman in Space
On Sept. 12, 1992, aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, Mae Jemison and six other astronauts completed 126 orbits around the Earth. A mission specialist, she was a co-investigator of two bone cell research experiments.
February 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Black History Month
Mae Jemison: First African American Woman in Space
On Sept. 12, 1992, aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, Mae Jemison and six other astronauts completed 126 orbits around the Earth. A mission specialist, she was a co-investigator of two bone cell research experiments.
Mae Jemison: First African American Woman in Space
On Sept. 12, 1992, aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, Mae Jemison and six other astronauts completed 126 orbits around the Earth. A mission specialist, she was a co-investigator of two bone cell research experiments.
Black History Month
After negotiating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and four Arab states, in 1950, Ralph Bunche became the first African American and person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
After negotiating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and four Arab states, in 1950, Ralph Bunche became the first African American and person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
Nobel Peace Prize 1950
The Nobel Peace Prize 1950 was awarded to Ralph Bunche "for his work as mediator in Palestine in 1948-1949"
www.nobelprize.org
February 19, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Black History Month
After negotiating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and four Arab states, in 1950, Ralph Bunche became the first African American and person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
After negotiating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and four Arab states, in 1950, Ralph Bunche became the first African American and person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
Black History Month
The St. Augustine movement was a part of the wider Civil Rights Movement, taking place in St. Augustine, Florida from 1963 to 1964. It was a major event in the city's long history and had a role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
The St. Augustine movement was a part of the wider Civil Rights Movement, taking place in St. Augustine, Florida from 1963 to 1964. It was a major event in the city's long history and had a role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
The St. Augustine Movement (1963-1964) •
The St. Augustine Movement was a series of civil rights protests that occurred in St. Augustine, Florida between 1963 and 1964. They were led by local branches of the NAACP Youth Council and Southern ...
www.blackpast.org
February 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Black History Month
The St. Augustine movement was a part of the wider Civil Rights Movement, taking place in St. Augustine, Florida from 1963 to 1964. It was a major event in the city's long history and had a role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
The St. Augustine movement was a part of the wider Civil Rights Movement, taking place in St. Augustine, Florida from 1963 to 1964. It was a major event in the city's long history and had a role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Black History Month
The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first acts of civil disobedience of its type in United States history involving racial discrimination and is credited with pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first acts of civil disobedience of its type in United States history involving racial discrimination and is credited with pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Alexandria Library Sit-In (1939) •
The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first acts of civil disobedience of its type in United States history involving racial discrimination and is credited with pioneering the use of nonviolent...
www.blackpast.org
February 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Black History Month
The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first acts of civil disobedience of its type in United States history involving racial discrimination and is credited with pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first acts of civil disobedience of its type in United States history involving racial discrimination and is credited with pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Black History Month
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes an influential fashion designer best known for helping to create the iconic Playboy Bunny costume. She was the first Black designer to open her own shop, which was the first Black-owned business on Broadway in NYC.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes an influential fashion designer best known for helping to create the iconic Playboy Bunny costume. She was the first Black designer to open her own shop, which was the first Black-owned business on Broadway in NYC.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes (1901–2001) •
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes was an African American fashion and costume designer. Valdes was the first Black designer to open her own shop, which was the first Black-owned business on Broadway in New Yo...
www.blackpast.org
February 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Black History Month
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes an influential fashion designer best known for helping to create the iconic Playboy Bunny costume. She was the first Black designer to open her own shop, which was the first Black-owned business on Broadway in NYC.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes an influential fashion designer best known for helping to create the iconic Playboy Bunny costume. She was the first Black designer to open her own shop, which was the first Black-owned business on Broadway in NYC.
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Black History Month
1950: Gwendolyn Brooks is the first Black poet to win a Pulitzer Prize.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/gwendo...
1950: Gwendolyn Brooks is the first Black poet to win a Pulitzer Prize.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/gwendo...
Gwendolyn Brooks
Poems, readings, poetry news and the entire 110-year archive of POETRY magazine.
www.poetryfoundation.org
February 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Black History Month
1950: Gwendolyn Brooks is the first Black poet to win a Pulitzer Prize.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/gwendo...
1950: Gwendolyn Brooks is the first Black poet to win a Pulitzer Prize.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/gwendo...
Black History Month
At 24, Alice Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
At 24, Alice Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
Alice Marie Coachman (1923-2014) •
Alice Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, UK. Born November 9, 1923, in Albany, Geor...
www.blackpast.org
February 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Black History Month
At 24, Alice Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
At 24, Alice Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
1956, Gladys West was hired as a mathematician by the U.S. Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia. There she would program a computer to accurately model the Earth, an accomplishment that became the foundation for the Global Positioning System (GPS) we use today.
afrotech.com/black-histor...
afrotech.com/black-histor...
Black History: Meet Dr. Gladys West, The Black Woman Behind GPS Technology - AfroTech
Dr. Gladys West is a mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and it wasn’t until 2018 that she would finally be recognized for her very import...
afrotech.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:36 AM
1956, Gladys West was hired as a mathematician by the U.S. Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia. There she would program a computer to accurately model the Earth, an accomplishment that became the foundation for the Global Positioning System (GPS) we use today.
afrotech.com/black-histor...
afrotech.com/black-histor...
Black History Month
1916, Alice Ball, first African American and first woman to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, invents a treatment for Hansen’s disease (otherwise known as leprosy).
scientificwomen.net/women/ball-a...
1916, Alice Ball, first African American and first woman to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, invents a treatment for Hansen’s disease (otherwise known as leprosy).
scientificwomen.net/women/ball-a...
Alice BALL
scientificwomen.net
February 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Black History Month
1916, Alice Ball, first African American and first woman to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, invents a treatment for Hansen’s disease (otherwise known as leprosy).
scientificwomen.net/women/ball-a...
1916, Alice Ball, first African American and first woman to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, invents a treatment for Hansen’s disease (otherwise known as leprosy).
scientificwomen.net/women/ball-a...
Black History Month
Black History is America's History
Black History is America's History
February 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Black History Month
Black History is America's History
Black History is America's History
Dubbed “Hip-Hop’s First Godmother”, singer and music producer Sylvia Robinson produced the first-ever commercially successful rap record: “Rapper’s Delight,” by the Sugar Hill Gang. And along with her husband, she co-owned the first hip-hop label, Sugar Hill Records.
rockhall.com/inductees/sy...
rockhall.com/inductees/sy...
Sylvia Robinson
Artist, songwriter, producer, record label owner, and CEO: the original hip-hop mogul. Sylvia Robinson laid the foundation for rap to flourish into the most lucrative music genre today.
rockhall.com
February 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Dubbed “Hip-Hop’s First Godmother”, singer and music producer Sylvia Robinson produced the first-ever commercially successful rap record: “Rapper’s Delight,” by the Sugar Hill Gang. And along with her husband, she co-owned the first hip-hop label, Sugar Hill Records.
rockhall.com/inductees/sy...
rockhall.com/inductees/sy...
Black History Month
Guion Bluford became the first Black person in space in 1983, and would spend 688 hours there over the course of his career as an astronaut.
www.britannica.com/biography/Gu...
Guion Bluford became the first Black person in space in 1983, and would spend 688 hours there over the course of his career as an astronaut.
www.britannica.com/biography/Gu...
Guion Bluford | Biography, Spaceflights, & Facts | Britannica
Guion Bluford, astronaut who was the first African American launched into space, on the STS-8 mission in 1983. Bluford became an astronaut in 1978. On four spaceflights, Bluford served as a mission sp...
www.britannica.com
February 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Black History Month
Guion Bluford became the first Black person in space in 1983, and would spend 688 hours there over the course of his career as an astronaut.
www.britannica.com/biography/Gu...
Guion Bluford became the first Black person in space in 1983, and would spend 688 hours there over the course of his career as an astronaut.
www.britannica.com/biography/Gu...
Black History Month
On September 25, 1957, nine Black students courageously started their first full day at an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, amid an angry mob of students, pro-segregationist groups and a defiant governor.
www.history.com/topics/black...
On September 25, 1957, nine Black students courageously started their first full day at an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, amid an angry mob of students, pro-segregationist groups and a defiant governor.
www.history.com/topics/black...
Little Rock Nine ‑ Definition, Names & Facts | HISTORY
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine Black students who enrolled at formerly all‑white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September 1957. Their attendance at the school was a test o...
www.history.com
February 7, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Black History Month
On September 25, 1957, nine Black students courageously started their first full day at an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, amid an angry mob of students, pro-segregationist groups and a defiant governor.
www.history.com/topics/black...
On September 25, 1957, nine Black students courageously started their first full day at an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, amid an angry mob of students, pro-segregationist groups and a defiant governor.
www.history.com/topics/black...
Black History Month
Frederick McKinley Jones invented the air-cooling units used in food transporting trucks in the 1930s, and was awarded more than 60 patents over the course of his life, 40 of which involved refrigeration equipment.
www.biography.com/inventors/fr...
Frederick McKinley Jones invented the air-cooling units used in food transporting trucks in the 1930s, and was awarded more than 60 patents over the course of his life, 40 of which involved refrigeration equipment.
www.biography.com/inventors/fr...
Frederick McKinley Jones: From Self-Taught Engineer to “King of Cool”
The Black inventor is best known for creating portable refrigeration equipment used to transport food, blood, and medicine during World War II.
www.biography.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Black History Month
Frederick McKinley Jones invented the air-cooling units used in food transporting trucks in the 1930s, and was awarded more than 60 patents over the course of his life, 40 of which involved refrigeration equipment.
www.biography.com/inventors/fr...
Frederick McKinley Jones invented the air-cooling units used in food transporting trucks in the 1930s, and was awarded more than 60 patents over the course of his life, 40 of which involved refrigeration equipment.
www.biography.com/inventors/fr...
Black History Month
The first successful open-heart surgery was performed in 1893 by a black surgeon named Dr. Daniel Hale William.
He also founded the first hospital that employed black healthcare workers.
columbiasurgery.org/news/daniel-...
The first successful open-heart surgery was performed in 1893 by a black surgeon named Dr. Daniel Hale William.
He also founded the first hospital that employed black healthcare workers.
columbiasurgery.org/news/daniel-...
Daniel Hale Williams and the First Successful Heart Surgery
“A people who don’t make provision for their own sick and suffering are not worthy of civilization.” –Daniel Hale Williams
columbiasurgery.org
February 5, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Black History Month
The first successful open-heart surgery was performed in 1893 by a black surgeon named Dr. Daniel Hale William.
He also founded the first hospital that employed black healthcare workers.
columbiasurgery.org/news/daniel-...
The first successful open-heart surgery was performed in 1893 by a black surgeon named Dr. Daniel Hale William.
He also founded the first hospital that employed black healthcare workers.
columbiasurgery.org/news/daniel-...
From 1870 to 1940, “Black people accounted for more inventions during this period than immigrants from every country except England and Germany.” Innovations like the traffic light (Garrett Morgan), modern refrigeration (Frederick McKinley Jones), and automatic elevator doors (Alexander Miles)
February 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
From 1870 to 1940, “Black people accounted for more inventions during this period than immigrants from every country except England and Germany.” Innovations like the traffic light (Garrett Morgan), modern refrigeration (Frederick McKinley Jones), and automatic elevator doors (Alexander Miles)
Black History Month
Marcenia Lyle "Toni" Stone (July 17, 1921 - November 2, 1996) was the first woman to play professional baseball for a previously all-men's major-league team
Marcenia Lyle "Toni" Stone (July 17, 1921 - November 2, 1996) was the first woman to play professional baseball for a previously all-men's major-league team
February 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Black History Month
Marcenia Lyle "Toni" Stone (July 17, 1921 - November 2, 1996) was the first woman to play professional baseball for a previously all-men's major-league team
Marcenia Lyle "Toni" Stone (July 17, 1921 - November 2, 1996) was the first woman to play professional baseball for a previously all-men's major-league team
Black History Month
Born in 1917, Mamie Phipps Clark became a pioneer of child development studies, spearheading research that became pivotal in the ending of racial segregation in schools.
The Clark’s research became the ethical basis for the NAACP's case in Brown Vs the board of Education.
Born in 1917, Mamie Phipps Clark became a pioneer of child development studies, spearheading research that became pivotal in the ending of racial segregation in schools.
The Clark’s research became the ethical basis for the NAACP's case in Brown Vs the board of Education.
February 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Black History Month
Born in 1917, Mamie Phipps Clark became a pioneer of child development studies, spearheading research that became pivotal in the ending of racial segregation in schools.
The Clark’s research became the ethical basis for the NAACP's case in Brown Vs the board of Education.
Born in 1917, Mamie Phipps Clark became a pioneer of child development studies, spearheading research that became pivotal in the ending of racial segregation in schools.
The Clark’s research became the ethical basis for the NAACP's case in Brown Vs the board of Education.
Black History Month
The historian was the second Black student to graduate from Harvard University with a doctorate degree. His incredible research led to the establishment of Black History Month in 1926. It later became a nationally recognized annual event in 1976
naacp.org/find-resourc...
The historian was the second Black student to graduate from Harvard University with a doctorate degree. His incredible research led to the establishment of Black History Month in 1926. It later became a nationally recognized annual event in 1976
naacp.org/find-resourc...
February 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Black History Month
The historian was the second Black student to graduate from Harvard University with a doctorate degree. His incredible research led to the establishment of Black History Month in 1926. It later became a nationally recognized annual event in 1976
naacp.org/find-resourc...
The historian was the second Black student to graduate from Harvard University with a doctorate degree. His incredible research led to the establishment of Black History Month in 1926. It later became a nationally recognized annual event in 1976
naacp.org/find-resourc...