There are people we all know in Black History. Jackie Robinson. Thurgood Marshall. President Obama. But there are tons of other African Americans that deserve recognition. People who stood up and made a difference. Here are ten African-American icons you may not have heard of.
Carrie Meeks, the first African-American woman elected to the Florida Senate
Meeks wore a shirt that reads: "A woman's place is in the House and the Senate" in the Florida House chamber in 1980, where she served from 1978 to 1983. She later became the first African-American woman elected to the Florida Senate and served in the U.S. Congress. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
General Daniel James, Jr., first African-American 4-star General in the Air Force
General James graduated from Tuskegee Institute and completed his flying training there. He flew supply planes in an all-black squadron. Later, he became the first African-American 4-star General in the Air Force. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
Artist Ron Blackburn, painter
A photo of Ron Blackburn, an artist, who spent time painting in Chicago's black communities. Information and image courtesy of U.S National Archives.
Rudy Hubbard, former FAMU head football coach
Coach Hubbard was hired as an assistant coach, making him the first African-American coach at Ohio State University. He later became the head coach of Florida A&M University and was inducted into the FAMU Athletics Hall of Fame. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
Mary L. Singleton, Florida representative
Singleton was the first African-American woman to run for lieutenant governor. She later served as Election Supervisor in the Florida Secretary of State office. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
Dr. Mae C. Jemison, first African-American woman in space
Not only was Dr. Jemison the first African-American woman in space, her background also includes work in areas of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and reproductive biology. Image and information courtesy of NASA on The Commons.
Pianist Ida Goodson
Goodson became popular after her Drop on Down in Florida double album, and was awarded the prestigious Florida Folk Heritage Award in 1987. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
8. Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune established a school for girls in Daytona Beach. It later became Bethune-Cookman College. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.
Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry, Legislator and Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman
Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry is the first black woman legislator in Florida and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm is the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Information and image courtesy of Florida Memory.