African American Heritage

Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (1892 – 1926)  Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (1892 – 1926) was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African- American descent to hold an international pilot license. Coleman specialized in stunt flying and parachuting, earning a living barnstorming and performing aerial tricks.

Harry McAlpin  In 1944, journalist Harry McAlpin became the first African-American reporter to attend a U.S. Presidential news conference at the White House.

Dr. Charlie Sifford  Before Tiger Woods, there was Dr. Charlie Sifford—the man who courageously desegregated the PGA Tour of America, one putt at a time. Last night, Sifford passed away at age 92, leaving behind an unmatched legacy. The two-time PGA Tour winner started his career as a caddie and went on to have a 14-year, illustrious career—despite staunch racial barriers of the day. Sifford boldly fought the “Caucasian-only” rule that was etched in professional golf; but his tenacity proved to be stronger than any unjust clause. In 1960, he became the first African-American golfer on the PGA Tour and was later inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame—another first for a black man.

Ella Fitzgerald Over the course of her 60-year recording career, Ella Fitzgerald sold 40 million copies of her 70-plus albums, won 13 Grammy Awards.

Howard P. Perry The first black man to enlist in the Marines, Howard P. Perry.

Matice Wright Matice Wright, the Navy’s first black female naval flight officer.

Sarah Rector Sarah Rector--By the age of 10, she became the richest Black child in America. She received a land grant from the Creek Nation as part of reparations. Soon after, oil was discovered on her property. By 1912, the revenue from this oil was $371,000 per year (roughly $6.5 million today). Despite various attempts to steal her land and fortune, Sarah resisted. She went on to attend Tuskegee University and eventually settled in Kansas City, Missouri where her mansion still stands.

George Crum The potato chip was invented in 1853 by George Crum. Crum was a Native American/African American chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in Saratoga Springs, New York. French fries were popular at the restaurant during that time, and one day a diner complained that the fries were too thick. Although Crum made a thinner batch, the customer was still unsatisfied. The chef kept slicing them thinner, then fried them to a crisp, and seasoned them heavily with salt. By then, they were too thin to eat with a fork. Crum expected the fussy customer to dislike them, but the man praised them highly. So the potato chips were invented by accident. The chips became popular and subsequently became known as "Saratoga chips" or "potato crunches."

Thomas Mundy Peterson Thomas Mundy Peterson, first African American to vote,31st March 1870.

Pearl Bailey Pearl Bailey, an entertainer who combined singing with ad libs, was in 1975 a special ambassador to the United Nations. She's most famous for her version of Hello, Dolly!

Claudette Colvin

Booker T. Washington Booker T. Washington, president of Tuskegee Institute, becomes the first African American to be awarded an honorary degree by Harvard University. Born into slavery in Virginia, Washington moved to Alabama in 1881 to open Tuskegee Normal School. He soon gained fame as an educational leader among black Americans, a fact which Harvard recognized with a Master of Arts degree.

Dr. Ben Carson Dr. Ben Carson ~ The most famous African American brain surgeon in the World. He rose out of poverty and life’s dourest situations to become an accomplished individual.