10 Inspiring Black History Month Heroes You Need to Know About

Black History Month is an important time to reflect on and celebrate the many incredible contributions of African Americans throughout history. From scientists and activists to artists and educators, there are countless individuals who have made a significant impact on our world. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve compiled a list of 10 inspiring heroes you need to know about.

1. Harriet Tubman: Known as the “Moses of her people”, Tubman was a prominent abolitionist and political activist who escaped slavery and helped countless others do the same through the Underground Railroad.
2. Martin Luther King Jr.: A pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, King was a Baptist minister and advocate for nonviolent resistance who led the Montgomery bus boycott and delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
3. Mae Jemison: Jemison made history as the first African-American woman to travel to space, serving as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She is also a physician and engineer.
4. Jackie Robinson: As the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, Robinson broke the color barrier and paved the way for future generations of black athletes.
5. Mary McLeod Bethune: Bethune was a renowned educator and civil rights leader who founded the National Council of Negro Women and served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
6. Thurgood Marshall: As the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer who argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education.
7. Maya Angelou: An acclaimed poet and author, Angelou’s works include the autobiographical “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and the poem “On the Pulse of Morning”, which she recited at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
8. Shirley Chisholm: Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress and ran for president in 1972, becoming the first black person and the first woman to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination.
9. Nelson Mandela: A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader, Mandela served as the country’s first black president and was a symbol of hope and reconciliation for people around the world.
10. Katherine Johnson: A mathematician and physicist, Johnson worked for NASA and was instrumental in the success of the first manned spaceflights, including the Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the moon.

These black history heroes are just a few of the many remarkable individuals whose contributions have shaped our world. As we celebrate Black History Month, let us remember and honor their legacies, and strive to continue their work towards a more just and equitable society.