African American Heroes (2024)

FAQs

Who is an African American hero? ›

When it comes to pioneers in African American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali are often mentioned—and rightfully so. But what do you know about other Black history heroes, like Claudette Colvin, Alice Coachman, or Shirley Chisholm?

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The alter ego of T'Challa, genius ruler of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, Black Panther is considered the first black superhero to be featured in mainstream American comics. In 1968, he was added to the roster of Marvel Comics' super-group, The Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Martin Luther King Jr: Leader in the Civil Rights Movement

In his career, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and several other movements campaigning for the right to vote, desegregation, and other rights for African American people.

​Martin Luther King Jr.

Through his impeccable leading style and powerful messages to the world, he single-handedly enacted a major change in the minds of political leaders, which gave way to African-Americans gaining more rights in America.

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.

Trailblazing creatives like Gordon Parks and Don Cornelius. Social justice fighters such as Bayard Rustin and Dorothy Height. Influential politicians and publishers including Shirley Chisholm and Robert Sengstacke Abbott. African American History Month icons like Ruby Bridges and Claudette Colvin.

Who was the first Black president? ›

Barack Hussein Obama II (/bəˈrɑːk huːˈseɪn oʊˈbɑːmə/, bə-RAHK hoo-SAYN oh-BAH-mə; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African-American president in U.S. history.

In the US, the stories of a select few Black women — Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, to name a few — seem to circulate on a regular rotation in school classrooms, inspirational calendars and social media memes.

Harriet Tubman was indeed a brave woman that always was very successful. Harriet Tubman is the definition of a hero because she had the courage to escape from slavery and then lead other slaves to freedom. She believed that all people should be free and treated equally.

In the US, the stories of a select few Black women — Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, to name a few — seem to circulate on a regular rotation in school classrooms, inspirational calendars and social media memes.

African tragic heroes like Okonkwo, Ezeulu and Amamu are indeed Renaissance heroes, Africanised. slept, his wives and children in their houses could hear his breath.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks are often elevated—and with good reason. These figures made contributions to Black history and, by extension, American history, that cannot be overstated.