Albert, Octavia V.R. Chronicler of slave experiences.
Arrington, Richard. Powerful and long-serving mayor of Birmingham, Alabama.
Asomugha, Nnamdi. Elite NFL defensive back.
Rosalind, Brewer. Dynamic corporate executive who leads Sam's Club.
Hallie Quinn, Brown. Gifted public speaker.
Blanche, Calloway.Talented bandleader, singer, and sister of jazz star Cab Calloway.
Carter, Robert L. Legal mastermind of school desegregation case.
Castor, Jimmy. Funk musician often sampled by hip-hop artists.
Cornelius, Don. Legendary television host who created Soul Train.
Davis, Doris A. First black female city mayor.
Davis, Viola. Award-winning stage and screen actress known for roles in DOUBT and THE HELP.
Doe, Samuel K. Liberia's first tribal-ethnic president.
Due, Patricia Stephens. Leader of Florida "jail-in".
En Vogue. Top R&B girl group of the 1990s.
Fauset, Crystal Dreda Bird. First black female state legislator.
Fraser, Sarah Loguen. Physician to underserved black communities.
Freeman, Morgan. Iconic film, theater, and television actor.
The Gap Band. R&B and funk trio of 1970s and 1980s.
Garnet, Henry Highland. Antislavery orator who urged slave rebellion.
Grant, Frank. Star of baseball's Negro Leagues.
Hamilton, Leonard. Winning college basketball coach.
Heath, Percy. Musical innovator who cofounded the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Houston, Whitney. Pop diva of the 1980s and 1990s.
Iverson, Johnathan Lee. First black circus ringmaster.
James, Etta. Legendary vocalist best known for the romantic ballad "At Last".
Lawrence, Margaret Morgan. Medical pioneer in pediatric psychiatry.
Lee, Jarena. Early female AME preacher who wrote important spiritual autobiography.
Lindsay, Peta. Political activist who leads the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Marley, Stephen. Grammy-winning reggae musician and son of Bob Marley.
Morrow, E. Frederic. First black aide to hold an executive position in a presidential administration.
Nixon, Edgar Daniel. Foundational figure in the civil rights movement in Montgomery, AL.
Drew Ali, Nobel. Religious leader who founded the Moorish Science Temple of America.
Ocean, Frank. Innovative R&B singer-songwriter.
The Orioles. Influential vocal group that created a new sound blending gospel and blues.
Paul, Chris. League-leading point guard with the LA Clippers.
Rees, Dee. Breakout director known for the coming-of-age film PARIAH.
Reeves, Bass. Escaped slave who became the West's first black lawman.
Reid, Ira De A. Sociologist who studied the black experience in the 20th century.
Robinson Joann Gibson. Organizer of the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56.
Rowland, Kelly. International singing star and judge on BRITAIN'S X FACTOR.
Russwurm, John Brown. American journalist and educator who became a member of the Liberian government.
Simpson, O.J. Disgraced former football star.
Miller, Portia Simpson. Prime minister of Jamaica.
Souljah, Sister. "Raptivist" and author of hip-hop fiction.
Smith, Ming. Photographer known for capturing jazz-like glimpses into black life.
Sohn, Sonja. Wire actress who founded youth organization in Baltimore.
Spencer, Octavia. Acclaimed actress best known for Academy Award-winning role in THE HELP.
Jack E. Tanner, Jack E. First African-American federal judge in the Northwest.
Tolbert, William R. President of Liberia from 1971 to 1980.
Turman, Glynn. Emmy-winning veteran actor and rodeo champion.
Tyler, the Creator. Controversial rapper named MTV's best new artist of 2011.
Vesey, Denmark. Former slave executed for planning an uprising in Charleston, SC.
White III, Augustus. Pioneering orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist.
Wright Sr., Richard Robert. Created opportunities for blacks in education and banking.
Young, Perry H. Tuskegee flight instructor who became the first black pilot hired by a major U.S. airline.