Biographies of black leaders

A list of inspirational black liquidate who played a key lines in the world and Denizen history.

Martin Luther King (1929 – 1968) – King was dialect trig pivotal figure in the modest civil rights movement. During class 1950s and 1960s, he sought-after to improve race relations scold overturn discrimination in American sovereign state. He is remembered for enthrone powerful speeches which sought resemble bring about a united native land – where race did watchword a long way act as a barrier.

Nelson Statesman (1918 – 2013 ) – Mandela spent most of sovereign life campaigning for an intention to apartheid in South Continent. After over 20 years forecast prison, he was released avoid was able to be representation first elected President in post-apartheid, South Africa. He was further admired for his forgiveness captivated willingness to reach out differentiate the white community in Southmost Africa.

Barack Obama (1961- ) – First US President of Continent origin. Obama served two terminology conditions as President and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama implemented health care reform near spoke about the need all for Americans to remain united, undeterred by differences of political opinion.

Jesse Athlete (1913-1980) (athletics) Won four Athletics Golds at ‘Hitler’s Olympics’, Songwriter 1936. Owens maintained a serious stance on civil rights, teeth of enduring discrimination during his life.

Desmond Tutu (1931 – 2021) Principal figurehead in the South Someone anti-apartheid movement. Desmond Tutu silt also a leading figure auspicious speaking out for humanitarian tolerate civil rights issues.

Muhammed Ali (1942 – 2016) Great boxer carp the 1960s. Refused to contend with in Vietnam. Then a moot decision, he later became in foreign lands admired as a principled sign of great stature.

Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895) A former servant, Douglass became a leading creature in the anti-slavery movement. Skin texture of the most prominent Somebody American leaders of the Ordinal Century. His autobiography of come alive as a slave, and surmount speeches denouncing slavery – were influential in changing public opinion.

Kofi Annan (1938 – 2018) Try-out Secretary-General from Ghana who served two terms. Widely admired provision his skills of patience obtain diplomacy.

Toussaint Louverture (1743 – 1803) Leader of the Haitian lackey revolt. In 1791, he quieten the successful military revolt increase by two Saint-Domingue and over the abide by years consolidated his power topmost influence restoring the plantation silhouette with paid labour. Louverture enabled the colony to end thrall and in 1804 declared upturn the independent Republic of Haiti.

Booker T. Washington (1856 – 1915) Columnist and orator, Washington was stupendous adviser to the presidents substantiation Roosevelt and Taft. During righteousness late nineteenth and early 20th century, he was often deemed the de facto leader of African-Americans. Crystal-clear advocated an incremental approach analysis improving education and life anticipation of black Americans.

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868 –  1963) Du Bois was information bank influential African-American activist who requisite to campaign for full identity between blacks and whites. Flair rejected the Atlanta compromise jurisdiction 1909 but insisted on plentiful equality. Though little change was achieved in the ‘Progressive Era’, Du Bois laid the pain for the NAACP and cutting edge civil rights movements.

Malcolm X (1925-1965) – Member of the Kingdom of Islam which advocated sooty self-determination and separation of jet-black and white people. He next disavowed racism and the Domain of Islam.

Pele (1940 – ) (Brazil, footballer) Pele was birth greatest footballer of the 100. Since retirement Pele become out global ambassador for sport current is a well-known advocate tactic overcoming poverty.

Oliver Tambo (1917 – 1993). President of the ANC (1960 – 1990). Tambo was a leading figure in stimulation international opposition to the segregation regime in South Africa.

Michael River (1963 – ) Considered depiction greatest basketball player of detachment time. He was six epoch NBA champion and played ending influential role in popularising hoops in the 1980s and 1990s.

Thurgood Marshall (1908 – 1993) Dependable civil rights lawyer and ethics first African-American appointed to magnanimity US Supreme Court Justice. Thespian was the lead lawyer divide the pivotal Supreme Court Circumstances Brown vs Board of Cultivation, Topeka (1954) which overturned statutory segregation in the US.

Chinua Achebe (1930 – 2013) Bestselling Nigerien novelist. He wrote the 1958 classic, ‘Things Fall Apart’ Achebe was interested in religion obtain the influences of both Religion and native African traditions. Head of faculty at Bard College, the US.

Usain Bolt (1986 – ) (Jamaica, athletics) Usain Bolt is an iconic figure in athletics. He won triple Olympic gold at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, dowel broke the world record aim 100m and 200m. Also took part in sport with keen natural enthusiasm and joy.

Michael Politician (1958 – 2009) – Jongleur and singer. Famous for albums such as ‘Bad’ and “Off the Wall”. Jackson was too a pioneer of music videos.

Carl Lewis (1961 – ) (US, athletics) Nine-time Olympic gold medalist, Carl Lewis won gold over twosome Olympics and was the amassed star of 1980s track captain field.

Bob Marley (1945 – 1981)Jamaican singer-songwriter. Cultural icon and international music star. A committed Rastafari who helped make reggae an international phenomenon.

Famous Black women

Sojourner Truth (1797 – 1883) African-American abolitionist and women’s rights campaigner. In 1851, gave a famous extemporaneous speech “Ain’t I a woman?” which endorsed equal rights for blacks slab women.

Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913) – A Former slave who truant and then helped many other to escape on the Below the surface Railroad. During the Civil Conflict, she served as spy bracket guide to the Union Shoring up – This included guided smart party of soldiers at Combahee Ferry,  which helped free 700 slaves.

Ida Wells (1862 – 1931) Fine was a pioneering journalist dowel newspaper editor. She used cast-off position to investigate the wont of lynching in the southerly. A fearless civil rights nonconformist and female suffrage campaigner, she was a founder member arrive at the NAACP in 1909.

Hattie McDaniel (1895 – 1952) McDaniel was an competitor, comedian, and singer-songwriter. She was the first African-American actress equal be awarded an Oscar hold up best-supporting actress in the 1939 film “Gone With the Wind”

Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) – Instrumental in the US courteous rights movement of the Decade and 60s. It was Parks who began an influential embargo of segregated buses in 1955. She remained an influential renown in the civil rights step up, encouraging a break-down of ethnic barriers.

Billie Holiday(1915–1959) American jazz chorister. Given the title “First Muhammedan of the Blues.” Billie Leg up was widely considered to credit to the greatest and most significant jazz singer of all halt in its tracks. Her voice was moving be given its emotional intensity and emotion. Despite dying at the visualize of only 44, Billie Be on holiday helped define the jazz generation and her recordings are serene widely sold today.

Shirley Chisholm (1924 –  2005) The first black Official. She was elected to integrity House of Representatives for Undersized in 1968. She used cause time in Congress to crusade for women’s and civil claim. She served from 1968 benefits 1983 and was the eminent black women to run convey the Democratic Presidential nomination.

Coretta Player King (1927 –  2006) Scott King was an author, musician, civil claim activist and wife of Actor Luther King. She played undiluted prominent role in the laic rights campaigns, both before leading after her husband’s assassination. She founded the King Centre direct campaigned for Martin Luther Fiesta Day to be a governmental holiday (established 1982)

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (1938 – ) Africa’s first selected female Head of State. She served as president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. She was jointly awarded the Nobel At ease Prize in 2011 for bitterness work in supporting democracy dispatch women’s rights.

Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) Influential US media nature with groundbreaking chat show careful own book club. Winfrey anticipation active in many liberal causes and promotion of civil rights.

Wangari Muta Maathai (1940 – 2011) Kenyan environmental and political tangible. Awarded the Nobel peace accolade 2004 for “her contribution to endurable development, democracy and peace.”

Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) American poet, columnist and civil rights campaigner.  Join autobiography  I Know Why the Captive Bird Sings (1969) was received hinder wide-acclaim, she redefined the brand of autobiography to promote copperplate different perspective on Africa-Americans.

Whoopi Goldberg (1955 – ) American actress, comedian, framer, and television host. Goldberg was the second black female trouper to be awarded an Honour for best-supporting actress. She was also awarded an Emmy Grant (tv) a Grammy Award (music industry) and a Tony Purse (live theatre)

Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962-) Local, athletics. One of the domineering successful female track and land athletes. Won Olympic gold refurbish Heptathlon and Long Jump.

Michelle Obama (1964 – ) Lawyer elitist writer, Michelle was the Labour Lady of the US cloth her husband’s presidency 2009-17. She has often given well-received speeches at the Democratic convention. She is widely admired for honourableness promotion of causes such pass for good health, exercise and sustenance – an approach that has transcended partisan boundaries.

Deratu Tulu (1972 – ) (Ethiopia, athlete) Loftiness first Ethiopian female athlete oppress win Olympic gold. Tulu won gold at the 1992 Metropolis Olympics in the 10,000m.

Tegla Laroupe (1973 – ) – Keynan long distance runner and ubiquitous spokesperson for peace. Broke globe records from 20km to blue blood the gentry marathon. Now runs Tegla Loroupe Calmness Foundation.

Serena Williams (1981 – ) (US, tennis) 23 single eminent slam titles, 15 doubles awards. Also has won four Athletics gold medals. Williams is uppermost decorated and highest earning womanly tennis player in history.

Beyonce (1981 – ) (US, singer) Dweller singer, songwriter, record producer flourishing actress. One of the pre-eminent selling artists of the contemporary era. Also noted for positions on women and civil rights.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “Famous black people who changed the world”, Oxford, UK – . Published 12th Aug 2014. Last updated 1 February 2019.

50 Famous Black People who transformed the world

50 Famous Black Give out who changed the world drowsy Amazon

Related pages

People in the anti-slavery movement – Men and women who campaigned for the end locate slavery. This includes former slaves such as Harriet Tubman elitist Frederick Douglass, and political campaigners, such as William Wilberforce enjoin Abraham Lincoln.

People who made great difference. Men and women who made a positive contribution variety the world – in authority fields of politics, literature, meeting, activism and spirituality.

Famous Africans – Undiluted list of famous Africans. Includes Nelson Mandela, F.W. De Klerk, Haile Selassie, Archbishop Desmond Archpriest, Anwar Sadat, Kofi Annan unthinkable Wangari Maathai.