2. Malcolm XMalcolm X ((Also Known As:Also Known As: Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Big Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Big
Red, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Red, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz ))
Who Was Malcolm X?Who Was Malcolm X?
Malcolm X was a prominent figure during theMalcolm X was a prominent figure during the
Civil Rights era. Offering an alternative viewCivil Rights era. Offering an alternative view
to the mainstream Civil Rights movement,to the mainstream Civil Rights movement,
Malcolm X advocated for both theMalcolm X advocated for both the
establishment of a separate blackestablishment of a separate black
community (rather than integration) and thecommunity (rather than integration) and the
use of violence in self defense (rather thanuse of violence in self defense (rather than
non-violence). His forceful, uncompromisingnon-violence). His forceful, uncompromising
belief in the evils of the white man frightenedbelief in the evils of the white man frightened
the white community. After Malcolm X left thethe white community. After Malcolm X left the
black Muslim Nation of Islam organization,black Muslim Nation of Islam organization,
for which he had been both a spokespersonfor which he had been both a spokesperson
and a leader, his views toward white peopleand a leader, his views toward white people
softened but his core message of black pridesoftened but his core message of black pride
endured. After his assassination in 1965,endured. After his assassination in 1965,
Malcolm X’s autobiography continued toMalcolm X’s autobiography continued to
spread his thoughts andspread his thoughts and
passion.passion.Dates:Dates: May 19, 1925 -- February May 19, 1925 -- February
21, 196521, 1965..Malcolm X - In RARE form (tv interview).mp4
3. Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Who Is Muhammad Ali?Who Is Muhammad Ali?
Muhammad Ali is one of the mostMuhammad Ali is one of the most
famous boxers of all time. Hisfamous boxers of all time. His
conversion to Islam and draft evasionconversion to Islam and draft evasion
conviction surrounded him withconviction surrounded him with
controversy and even exile from boxingcontroversy and even exile from boxing
for three years. Despite the hiatus, hisfor three years. Despite the hiatus, his
quick reflexes and strong punchesquick reflexes and strong punches
helped Muhammad Ali become the firsthelped Muhammad Ali become the first
person in history to win the heavyweightperson in history to win the heavyweight
champion title three times. At the lightingchampion title three times. At the lighting
ceremony at the 1996 Olympics,ceremony at the 1996 Olympics,
Muhammad Ali showed the world hisMuhammad Ali showed the world his
strength and determination in dealingstrength and determination in dealing
with the debilitating effects ofwith the debilitating effects of
Parkinson's syndrome.Parkinson's syndrome.
4. Dorothy DandridgeDorothy Dandridge
Who was Dorothy Dandridge?Who was Dorothy Dandridge?
Dorothy Dandridge, acclaimed in her timeDorothy Dandridge, acclaimed in her time
to be one of the world's five most beautifulto be one of the world's five most beautiful
women, became one of Hollywood's mostwomen, became one of Hollywood's most
tragic victims. Dandridge had everything ittragic victims. Dandridge had everything it
took to succeed in 1950s' Hollywood --took to succeed in 1950s' Hollywood --
she could sing, dance and act – except,she could sing, dance and act – except,
she was born black. Though a product ofshe was born black. Though a product of
the racially-biased era in which she lived,the racially-biased era in which she lived,
Dandridge rose to stardom to becomeDandridge rose to stardom to become
both the first black woman to grace theboth the first black woman to grace the
cover of cover of LifeLife magazine and to receive an magazine and to receive an
Academy Award nomination for BestAcademy Award nomination for Best
Actress in a major motion picture. Actress in a major motion picture.
5. Bessie ColemanBessie Coleman
Known for:Known for: pioneer in pioneer in
aviation; first Africanaviation; first African
American woman with aAmerican woman with a
pilot's license, first Africanpilot's license, first African
American woman to fly aAmerican woman to fly a
plane; first American withplane; first American with
an international pilot'san international pilot's
license.license.
Occupation:Occupation: aviator: aviator:
stunt pilotstunt pilot
6. Thurgood MarshallThurgood Marshall
Who Was Thurgood Marshall?Who Was Thurgood Marshall?
Thurgood Marshall, the great-grandsonThurgood Marshall, the great-grandson
of slaves, was the first African Americanof slaves, was the first African American
justice appointed to the United Statesjustice appointed to the United States
Supreme Court, where he served fromSupreme Court, where he served from
1967 to 1991. Earlier in his career,1967 to 1991. Earlier in his career,
Marshall was a pioneering civil rightsMarshall was a pioneering civil rights
attorney who successfully argued theattorney who successfully argued the
landmark case landmark case Brown v Board ofBrown v Board of
EducationEducation (a major step in the fight to (a major step in the fight to
desegregate American schools). Thedesegregate American schools). The
1954 1954 BrownBrowndecision is considered onedecision is considered one
of the most significant civil rightsof the most significant civil rights
victories of the 20th century.victories of the 20th century.
7. Who Was Louis Armstrong?Who Was Louis Armstrong?
Born into poverty at the turn of theBorn into poverty at the turn of the
twentieth century, Louis Armstrong rosetwentieth century, Louis Armstrong rose
above humble origins to become aabove humble origins to become a
masterful trumpet player and belovedmasterful trumpet player and beloved
entertainer. He played a key role in theentertainer. He played a key role in the
development of one of the early twentiethdevelopment of one of the early twentieth
century's most important new styles ofcentury's most important new styles of
music -- music -- jazzjazz. Armstrong's inventiveness. Armstrong's inventiveness
and improvisational techniques, alongand improvisational techniques, along
with his energetic, dazzling style havewith his energetic, dazzling style have
influenced generations of musicians. Oneinfluenced generations of musicians. One
of the first to perform scat-style singing,of the first to perform scat-style singing,
he is well-known also for his distinctivehe is well-known also for his distinctive
gravelly singing voice. Armstrong wrotegravelly singing voice. Armstrong wrote
two autobiographies and appeared intwo autobiographies and appeared in
more than thirty films.more than thirty films.
Louis Armstrong
A Masterful Trumpet Player
