Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is the 1st black person promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, 2015.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams is the 1st woman to win Miss America; representing New York, 1983.

Julie Mehretu is the 1st black artist whose work ranks among the most expensive at auction by a living female artist, 2013.

Mike Carey is the 1st black person to referee a Super Bowl, 2008.

Gordon Parks is the 1st black staff photographer and writer at Life magazine, 1948.

Tia Norfleet first black woman to be licensed as a Nascar driver, 2016.

Alma Thomas was the 1st student to receive a degree from the art department at Howard University, 1924.

Gail Fisher 1st black woman to win an Emmy, 1970.

Gail Fisher was the 1st black person to win a Golden Globe Award, Mannix, 1971.

Sampson McCormick is the 1st #LGBTQ comic to perform at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 2018.