1. African American History Month

2.
What are the origins of Black History Month?
Whose idea was it?
Why February?

3. Neil deGrasse Tyson Born in 1958 Attended Bronx Science High School
Harvard University (physics), University of Texas (Masters in astronomy),PhD in astrophysics from Columbia University
Director of the Hayden Planetarium at The American Museum of Natural History
NASA Advisor on the future of space travel
Produces & hosts ‘Star Talk’ on the National Geographic Channel

4. Mae Carol Jemison
Born 1956
Stanford (Chemical Engineering & African American Studies), Cornell University Medical School)
Served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leon & Ghana
MD and mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 1992
Specialized in cellular research
College Professor
President of The Jemison Group

5. Elijah McCoy
Son of fugitive slaves who gained freedom through the Underground Railroad
Studied mechanical engineering in Scotland
Holds 57 patents (most for steam engine design & maintenance), folding ironing board & a rotating lawn sprinkler
‘That’s the real McCoy’ became a popular phrase meaning that a product was of the best quality

6. George Washington Carver
Born into slavery in Missouri
Studied Botany at Iowa State
Headed the Agricultural Science department at Tuskegee University
Taught there for 47 years
Focus on alternative crops to cotton including peanuts & sweet potatoes
Early environmentalist
Taught farmers to rotate crops & grow soybeans to replenish nitrogen

7. Solomon Northrup
1808 – 1863
Free man who was kidnapped in Washington, DC & sold into slavery for 12 years in Louisiana
Professional violinist
Although tried, his kidnappers were never convicted
1853, wrote Twelve years a Slave
Details of his death are unknown

8. Mary McLoed Bethune
Child of slaves –first person in her family to go to school
Founded Bethune College (HBCU) –Daytona, FL
First black woman to serve as a presidential advisor
Founded the United Negro College Fund

9. Frederick Douglass
Born into slavery in Talbot County Maryland
Taught to read & write at age 12
Escaped from slavery at age 20
Wrote The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass & My Bondage, My freedom
Published The North Star, abolitionist & freedmen’s newspaper
Advocated fro African American & Women’s rights
1st African American to be nominated for Vice- President

10. Edmonia Lewis
1844 – 1907
1st African American sculpture to have their work in the Smithsonian collection –National Gallery of Art
Focused on black historical subjects

11. Dorothy Counts Born 1942 Charlotte, NC
1st African American student to integrate Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools
Due to death threats & violence, force to withdraw & move to Pennsylvania for high school
On Her Civil Rights Work:

12. Romare Bearden 1911 – 1988 Born in Charlotte, NC
Part of the Harlem Renaissance
Acclaimed artist & illustrator
Jazz Music Composer

13. Harvey Gantt
Born 1942
First African American student at Clemson University (1963 – 1965)
Architect
Mayor of Charlotte 1983 – 1987
Museum of African American Art & Culture named in his honor

14. Harriet Jacobs 1813 – 1897 Born into slavery in Edenton, NC
Ran away, living in hiding for 7 years
Published her story in 1861 – ”Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”
First book to address sexual harassment & rape of slave women

15. Nina Simone 1933- 2003 Born Eunice Waymon in Tryon, NC
Attended the Julliard School of Music
Recorded more than 40 albums
Self-described her music as ‘black classical’