Countless trailblazers came before them, and countless leaders will follow. We recognize this list of Black leaders is a small tribute, and encourage you to read up on more Black historical figures who made the world a better place — all while fighting racial injustice and inequalities.
Maya Angelou (1928–2014)
An award-winning poet and author best known for her 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, Maya was a civil rights activist and beloved wordsmith. Her work — which spans over 50 years — includes seven autobiographies, three books of essays, poetry books, and countless plays, movies, and TV shows. Among her many achievements — including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category in 2005 and 2009 — Maya made literary history as the first African American woman to write a nonfiction bestseller.
Tarana Burke (1973 — )
A civil rights activist from The Bronx, New York, Tarana Burke is best known for founding the “Me Too” movement, which she started in 2006. The movement — designed to raise awareness for sexual harassment, assault, and abuse — became a global phenomenon in 2017, which later led to Time Magazine dubbing Burke and other female activists the “silence breakers”.
Jackie Robinson (1919–1972)
A legend both on and off the field, Jackie Robinson “broke the color barrier” when he became the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball in 1947. Despite enduring routine racial slurs and jeering from both baseball fans and his teammates, Robinson went on to become one of the most exciting and talented players of the game, closing out his decade-long career with a batting average of .311.
Richard Wright (1908–1960)
Richard Wright was a prominent writer and poet whose work frequently depicted racial injustices and inequalities. Perhaps best known for his 1940 bestseller, Native Son, and his 1945 biography, Black Boy, Wright remains one of the most influential Black writers of American literature.
Mary Jackson (1921–2005)
Often called a “human computer”, mathematician Mary Jackson was NASA’s first Black female engineer. Along with the vital role she played in developing NASA’s space program, Jackson also served as a mentor and advocate for other women and visible minorities to advance their careers in science. Jackson’s contributions to NASA were so profound, her work was later dramatized via the Oscar-nominated 2016 film, Hidden Figures.
