 | Vincent Cullers
Founded first African-American advertising agency in the US in 1956. Set the trend for using positive cultural images of blacks in advertising. |
| Maurice Ashley
Has been called the Tiger Woods of Chess. He made history when he became the first and only African-American to attain the coveted title of International Grand Master of Chess in 1999. |
| Dr. Mae Jemison
Astronaut who rode Endeavor into space in 1992 making her the first African-American female in space. Founded the Jemison Research Group which runs an international science camp for kids. |
| Gordon Parks
The first African-American staff photographer for Life Magazine whose most famous photograph is 'American Gothic.' Parks' photos evoked styles of strength and black leadership during turbulent political times. |
| Mayme Agnew Clayton
A librarian, and the Founder, President and Spiritual Leader of the Western States Black Research and Education Center, the largest privately held collection of African-American historical materials in the world. |
| Elizabeth Jennings
School teacher who started a trend by refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Future president Chester A. Arthur represented her in court and won clearing the way for blacks to use city transit systems in New York City. |
| Dave Fennoy
Dave Fennoy is an elite Hollywood voice artist for television and film. His work includes Showtime at the Apollo, Time Life R and B Collection, Happy Feet and Spiderman. He is one of the highest paid in his field. |
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| Kevin Hall
Has had to overcome many obstacles on his way to the PGA Tour. Being African-American was not nearly the highest hurdle. He is the first DEAF golfer to compete on the PGA Tour. |
| Cathy Hughes
Founder of Radio One: the largest black owned radio network in America. Also founded TV One which is a national cable and satellite network for African-American adults. |
| Tom Bradley
Grandson of slaves who served as mayor of Los Angeles for twenty years. Provided L.A. with racial peace and diversification, economic growth and the 1984 Summer Olympics. |
| Ernie Barnes
Ernie Barnes was a former football player who went on to become an accomplished artist. Barnes was the official artist of the XXXIII Olympiad. |
| Ken Hamblin
Ken Hamblin is an author and former talk radio show host known as The Black Avenger. A self taught photographer, Hamblin was the first black photographer of the Detroit Free Press and a winner of countless photography awards. |
| Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman
Proclaimed the "worlds greatest female flyer", Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman was forced to learn French and earn her pilot's license in France in 1921 due to racism in the U.S. Coleman returned to the U.S. to become an acrobatic pilot. |
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