Attaway, William.
Talented novelist and TV writer who co-wrote "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)."
Baskett, James.
Actor known for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Uncle Remus in Song of the South.
Boykin, Phillip.
Tony-nominated singer and actor who costarred in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess.
Bradshaw, Tiny.
Big band leader who fused jazz and R&B in the 1950s.
Brookins, Hamel Hartford.
Minister and civil rights leader who influenced politics in Los Angeles.
Brown, Chuck.
R&B guitarist known as "Godfather of Go-Go."
Brown, Frederick J.
American painter known for portraits of great jazz and blues musicians.
Brown, Raymond.
Hall-of-Fame pitching star of the Negro Leagues.
Brown, Wesley A.
First African American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Burns, Anthony.
Former slave who became hero of abolitionist movement.
Cabell, Enos.
Talented Major League Baseball player of the 1970s and 1980s.
Campbell-Brown, Veronica.
Record-setting Olympic sprinter from Jamaica.
The Coasters.
Vocal group of the 1950s remembered for "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown."
Cummings, Elijah E.
Baltimore congressman who advocated financial reform after "Great Recession."
Evra, Patrice.
Senegalese-born French soccer star who captains Manchester United.
Hagler, Marvin.
"Marvelous" former middleweight boxing champion.
Harris, Wynonie.
Blues shouter who influenced development of rock and roll.
Haynes, Elizabeth Ross.
Early 20th-century advocate for black women workers.
The Ink Spots.
Quartet known for sentimental ballads, vocal harmonies.
Irving, Kyrie.
Outstanding Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.
Issoufou, Mahamadou.
West African politician elected president of Niger in 2011.
J Dilla.
Innovative rapper and producer who helped develop Motown hip-hop scene.
Jackson, Samuel L.
Highest-grossing film actor of all time.
Jansen, Jonathan.
South African educator advancing policies of forgiveness and racial integration.
Johnson, Beverly.
Supermodel, actress, and entrepreneur who was Vogue's first black cover model.
Johnson, Bumpy.
Harlem gangster who controlled drugs and gambling racket from 1930s to 1960s.
Joiner, Charlie.
Hall-of-Fame NFL wide receiver.
Knight, Suge.
Founder of Death Row Records implicated in murder of hip-hop star.
Lee, Barbara.
California congresswomen known for strong antiwar stance.
Lyons Sr. James E.
University administrator who led historically black institutions.
Machel, Graça.
Former first lady of Mozambique who championed independence, development.
Mackie, Anthony.
Actor who had breakout role in The Hurt Locker.
Marable, Manning.
Respected university professor and Marxist activist.
Morgan, Lee.
Jazz trumpeter devoted to "hard bop" style.
Morgan, Tracy.
Comedian known for Saturday Night Live caricatures, role on 30 Rock.
Okigbo, Christopher.
Nigerian poet who developed a uniquely African voice in the 1960s.
Osbey, Brenda Marie.
Poet whose verses evoke hometown of New Orleans.
Quander, Nellie.
Social worker who helped expand Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Reaves, Donald J.
College administrator who headed Winston-Salem State University.
Riggins, Karriem.
Jazz drummer and music producer who bridges jazz and hip-hop.
Rihanna.
Barbadian-born pop superstar.
Sam and Dave.
Duet who created the smash hits "Soul Man" and "Hold On (I'm Comin')."
Sata, Michael.
Longtime opposition leader elected president of Zambia in 2011.
Smith, Cecilia.
Top vibraphonist in contemporary jazz.
Smith, Tommie.
Track gold medalist who rocked the 1968 Olympics with black power gesture.
Stallworth, John.
Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver inducted into football Hall of Fame.
Summer, Donna.
"Queen of disco" whose hits defined the era.
Tchicai, John.
Experimental jazz saxophonist who played with John Coltrane, Archie Shepp.
Temple, Lewis.
Inventor who transformed whaling industry in nineteenth century.
Tiant, Luis.
Cuban-born Red Sox pitching ace of the 1970s.
Walcott, Jersey Joe.
Famed heavyweight prizefighter of the 1950s.
Watts, Reggie.
Versatile musician and "ambient" comedian.
Wells, Junior.
Chicago bluesman who collaborated with Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy.
Wilson, Demond.
Former star of Sanford and Son who became Christian minister.
Woolard, Jamal.
Aspiring rap musician who portrayed the Notorious B.I.G. in biopic.
