Bessie Coleman was the first black of any gender to fly across the Atlantic Ocean and was also the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license.

Read more "Bessie Coleman"

Cheryl White is the 1st black female jockey in the United States, 1971.

Read more "Cheryl White"

Cathay Williams was the 1st black woman to enlist in the U.S. Army, 1866.

Read more "Cathay Williams"

Johnny Grier was the 1st black NFL referee, 1988.

Read more "Johnny Grier"

Gordon Parks was the 1st black director of a major Hollywood motion picture; The Learning Tree, 1969.

Read more "Gordon Parks"

Steve McQueen 1st black filmmaker to win an Academy Award for Best Picture for 12 Years a Slave, 2014.

Read more "Steve McQueen"

Tony Dungy 1st black head coach to win a Super Bowl, 2007.

Read more "Tony Dungy"

Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker toy gun, 2009. Also held more than 80 other patents for products.

Read more "Lonnie Johnson"

Donyale Luna was the 1st black, female, model on the cover of the British Vogue Magazine, 1966.  

Read more "Donyale Luna"

Capt. Tonya Boyd is the 1st black, female deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department, 2017.

Read more "Capt. Tonya Boyd"