1. America Celebrates Black History Month Feb 2010

2. The need for economic development has been a central element of African-American living. After centuries of unrequited toil as slaves, African-Americans gained their freedom and found themselves in the struggle to make a living. Pushing against the odds, African-Americans became landowners, skilled workers, politicians, small businessmen and women, professionals, and ministers. During the Jim Crow economy, they started insurance companies, vocational schools, teachers colleges, cosmetic firms, banks, newspapers and hospitals. To fight exclusion from the economy, African-Americans started their own unions and professional associations. In an age in which individuals proved unable to counter industrialization and commoditization alone, they preached racial or collective harmony rather than individual self-reliance. The late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries witnessed an unprecedented degree of racial solidarity, healing, and organization. Many believe that if we had not conducted the Martin Luther King, JR. lead Civil Rights Movement of the 60's, our civil liberties and fundamental rights would not exist as we know it. President Barack Obama exemplifies the advancement made by African-American Americans. His legacy as our nation’s first African-American President is celebrated along with the legacies of other African-American Americans who were firsts in their fields—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglas, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Ray Charles, Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and many more. In celebrating African-American History Month, we recognize individuals from all walks of living who have and/or continue to contribute through their success to the history of African-American empowerment. We also recognize the diverse perspectives of African-American Americans and embrace their rich cultural, educational, social, civil, and political contributions, which are essential to improving the American quality-of- life. We are THE PEOPLE When we help Hispanics, history proves that we help America When we help African-Americans, history proves that we help America When we help Asians, history proves that we help America When we help?!?! …history proves that we help America - Elihu Eli El FEB2010

3. President Barack Obama Our first African American President

4. W.E.B Dubois Civil Rights Activist and founder of the Niagara Movement

5. Frederick Douglas African American Abolitionist

6. Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighter

7. Rosa Parks Civil Rights Activist

8. George Washington Carver Agricultural Chemist

9. Bill Cosby Comedian, Actor, Author, Educator and Humanitarian

10. Ben Carson Surgeon at Johns Hopkins

11. Condelleza Rice Former Secretary of State

12. Michael Jordon Six time Champion Basketball Player, Entrepreneur and Humanitarian

13. Oprah Winfrey Talk Show Host, Actress and Humanitarian

14. Nelson Mandela Activist

15. Muhammad Ali Heavyweight Champion

16. Denzel Washington Actor and Director

17. Earl Graves Entrepreneur

18. Ray Charles Musician

19. Thurgood Marshall First Black Supreme Court Judge

20. Russell Simmons Entertainment Entrepreneur, Humanitarian

21. Madam CJ Walker First Black Female Millionaire, Entrepreneur

22. Colin Powell Retired Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Former Head of State Department

23. Shirley Chisolm First Black Female Congresswoman

24. Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds Musician

25. Benjamin O. Davis Jr Tuskegee Airman and First Black Officer to get his Wings

26. Maya Angelou Poet, Author and Humanitarian

27. Arthur Ashe Tennis Great

28. Wilma Rudolph Olympic Runner

29. Duke Ellington Composer and Bandleader

30. Alex Hailey Author

31. Hank Aaron Baseball Player

32. Langston Hughes Author

33. Jesse Owens Olympic Track Great

34. Ossie Davis Actor, Director and Activist

35. Martin Luther King Civil Rights Activist