Dr. Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go into space, but she also fought healthcare inequities.
Oscar-winning actress Regina King is set to star in a new biopic based on the life of America's first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm. Being written and directed by John Ridley, King will not only star in the project, but also serve as a co-producer of the film.
It can’t be easy being related to a music legend, but Barbara Ross-Lee has managed to carve out her own lane and make history in her own way. While she is the oldest sister of Diana Ross, Barbara passed on the entertainment industry in order to help people. She ended up becoming the first Black woman […]
Before it was the standard to be a Black performer and speak out against injustice, Hazel Scott (1920-1981) was doing it. The pianist, who garnered fame for her immense musical talents, used her platform to speak out against segregation, to demand the best opportunities, and to not shy away from allegations made about her, including […]
Ola Hudson (1947-2009), whether you know her name or not, has played a pretty big role in rock and roll and popular music as a whole. Not only did she create iconic costumes for the likes of David Bowie and Diana Ross, but she birthed a major player in rock music — Slash of Guns […]
If you are looking to encourage more young girls of color to give STEM programs a chance, you should share with them the story of Marie M. Daly (1921-2003). She was the first Black woman to earn a P.h.D. in chemistry here in the States. She was also someone who, from a young age, had […]
When Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, took the track, you were watching not only for what was sure to be a dominant performance but also for her style choices. From her long, colorful nails to her makeup and hair, the three-time Olympic gold medalist was truly a trendsetter. But aside from her beauty moves, Flo-Jo was […]
As you know, not every person who makes Black history has to do so in the very distant past. Just look at Oprah, or Ursula Burns, or Serena Williams. Or for the sake of this post, entrepreneur Janice Bryant Howroyd. If you’ve never heard her name, you might want to look it up or at least […]
You know that you’re a force to be reckoned with when your work helps to take down major figures in the mob. While she initially studied, got degrees in and made a career of social work for a few years, Eunice Roberta Hunton Carter (1899-1970) had a change of heart and decided to study law. […]
From Ann Lowe to Mildred Blount, Black female fashion designers have been integral in helping to create iconic style moments. For Lowe, it was dressing Academy Award winners and making the wedding gown for Jackie O (then known as Jacqueline Bouvier). For Blount, it was creating the hats for the Oscar-winning film, Gone With the Wind. Another […]
When we put our minds to it, Black women can excel at just about anything, including riding and doing crazy tricks on motorcycles. A member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Bessie Stringfield (1911-1993) was the first Jamaican-American woman to ride solo across the country, including riding across the South during especially strong racial prejudice. Sure, she […]
Where would the major performers of today be without women like Aida Overton Walker? She was a multitalented performer excelling not only in dance but in choreography as well as singing. And despite the success of vaudeville acts that focused on performing degrading blackface comedy, Walker was able to excel without having to perform stereotypes […]