The International Day for People of African Descent, 31 August, celebrates the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora.

International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) celebrates the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.

Mascogos are Afro-descendant group in Coahuila, Mexico. Descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped slavery.

New Orleans Four in 1960 Leona Tate, Tessie Provost, and Gail Etienne, enrolled at McDonogh 19 Elementary School, and Ruby Bridges enrolled at William Frantz Elementary School. They integrated the New Orleans school system.

Bass Reaves 1838 – 1910 first Black United States Deputy Marshall captured 3,000 criminals between 1875 and 1907. Inspiration for the “Lone Ranger”.

Celia Cruz 1925-2003 first Afro-Latina woman to appear on U.S. quarter.

Betty Okino born 1975 first Black woman to win multiple individual World Championship medals in gymnastics.

Maroons are descendants of Africans in the Americas and Islands of the Indian Ocean who escaped from slavery.

Simone Biles born 1997, most decorated Olympic gymnast.