Zelda “Jackie” Ormes born in 1911, died in 1985 was the first black woman cartoonist to have a syndicated column with Torchy Brown in Dixon Harlem 1937 to 1942 followed by Patty-Jo n Ginger from 1945 to 1956.

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Arthur Ashe was the 1st black tennis player selected for the United States Davis Cup team, 1963.

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Audre Lorde born 1934, died 1992, lesbian writer, feminist, poet, librarian and activist. Co-founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, first U.S. publisher for women of color.

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Absalom Boston was the 1st black captain to sail a whale ship with an all-black crew, 1822.

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Lorraine Branham born 1952 died in 2019. In 2008 became the first woman and first person of color to be Dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in Syracuse, NY.

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John Gloucester, former slave, founded the 1st black Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA 1807.

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bell hooks is an author, feminist, teacher, and scholar. Coined the phrase “oppositional gaze” in 1992.

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Kehinde Wiley was the 1st black male artist commissioned for U.S. president portrait to be displayed in the Smithsonian, 2018.

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Cheryl Clarke is a lesbian poet, essayist, educator, feminist, and activist.

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Rev. Lemuel Haynes was the 1st black male ordained as a Christian minister in the United States, 1785.

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