Steven Reed Makes History as the First Black Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama in 200 Years

In November 2019, Steven Reed was sworn in as the new mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, officially making him the state capital's first ever Black mayor in its 200-year history.

Mary Jane Patterson Was the First Black Woman to Graduate From College in the U.S.

Born into slavery in 1840, Mary Jane Patterson was a pioneer in education and was the first Black woman to receive a degree from a 4-year accredited college in the United States. Although Patterson is not a well-known figure, she is an important woman in history because she left an impact for other Black female educators to follow her footsteps.

Jamie Foxx Makes History as the First Ever Black Lead in a Pixar Movie

With their newest animated film called Soul starring Jamie Foxx, Pixar will be releasing their first ever animated film with an African American as the lead actor. The film will also feature the voices of Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Questlove, and Tina Fey.

Before Making History in Baseball, Jackie Robinson Was Also a Talented Football and Track Star

Jackie Robinson is best known as the first player to break the color barrier in baseball, and for his undeniable ability to play baseball. He played for six all-star teams during his career, and eventually earned a spot in the baseball Hall of Fame. But he played more than just baseball!

Black Surgeon Successfully Performs First Ever Transplant Surgery to Cure Deafness

A pioneering surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones, developed by Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team at the University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Health in South Africa, may be the answer to conductive hearing loss, a middle ear problem caused by congenital birth defects, infection, trauma or metabolic diseases. The surgery, can be performed on everyone including new-borns.

This Choreographer Taught the Temptations and Other Motown Acts How to Dance

The Temptations is one of the most successful and important groups of Motown Records. The group was known for the sharp way they dressed, their harmonious voices, and their dance moves - a mix of snazzy and classic choreography. Few people know, however, that a man named Mr. Cholly Atkins worked with them behind the scenes helping them with their "vocal choreography".

Meet Ralph C. Bunche, the First African American to Win the Nobel Peace Prize

Ralph C. Bunche helped end a war, and was recognized for his efforts when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. He was the first African American to receive the award. Bunche earned the prestigious honor by applying his exceptional mediation and negotiation skills to bringing together the adversaries in the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict to work out and sign the 1949 Armistice Agreements.

Lola Falana, a Black Woman, Was the Original First Lady of Las Vegas in the 1970's

Las Vegas is home to some of the greatest and most talented performers alive today and throughout history, but did you know the original First Lady of Las Vegas was a Black woman named Lola Falana? Falana, born on September 11, 1942, was a singer and dancer whose passion for performing was clear even from a young age.

This Former Slave Invented a Unique Propeller For Steamboats But Wasn’t Allowed to Patent It

Benjamin T. Montgomery was a great inventor, who tried to patent his propeller for steamboats in 1864, but the U.S Patent Office rejected his application because he was Black.

Meet the Black Inventor Who Created the First Digital Cell Phone

Many people attribute the invention of the smartphone to Europeans, but in fact, the first digital cell phone was invented by an African American man named Jesse Eugene Russell.