Kelly Miller Smith 1920-1984 Preacher. Author and civil rights activist. In 1969 became the first Black person to become a faculty member of Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Read more "Kelly Miller Smith"

Mabel Hampton 1902-1989. Lesbian activist and Harlem Renaissance dancer.

Read more "Mabel Hampton"

The Andantes girl group Motown Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks, and Louvain Demps.  More than 20,000 Motown songs, 90% of output before the 1972 move to LA.

Read more "The Andantes"

Lena Horne Theatre named in 2022. Lena Horne, 1917-2010, became the first Black woman to have a Broadway theatre named after her

Read more "Lena Horne Theatre"

Michael Langley born 1961/1962 in 2022 became the first Black four-star general in the Marine Corps.

Read more "Michael Langley"

Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins in 2022 became the first Black woman to be elected Vice-President of the Society of Professional Journalists. (SPJ)

Read more "Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins"

Maya Angelou 1928-2014. In 2022 became the first Black woman to appear on U.S. currency, the quarter.

Read more "Maya Angelou"

Benny Carter 1907-2003. Jazz musician, saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Only musician to record in eight consecutive decades.

Read more "Benny Carter"

Mickalene Thomas born 1971. Queer visual artist.

Read more "Mickalene Thomas"

James Van Der Zee 1883-1986. Harlem Renaissance photographer.

Read more "James Van Der Zee"