There have been many influential and iconic figures from the African-American community who have made significant contributions in various fields. From civil rights activists to musicians, athletes, actors, and authors, these individuals have left a lasting impact on the world. Here is a list of some famous African-Americans:
- Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement, known for his nonviolent protests and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
- Rosa Parks: Known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
- Barack Obama: The 44th President of the United States, he made history as the first African-American to hold this office.
- Harriet Tubman: An abolitionist and political activist, Tubman escaped slavery and became a leading figure in the Underground Railroad, helping hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.
- Muhammad Ali: One of the greatest boxers of all time, Ali was also known for his activism outside the ring, speaking out against racial inequality and the Vietnam War.
- Maya Angelou: An acclaimed poet, writer, and civil rights activist, Angelou’s memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is celebrated as a literary masterpiece.
- Oprah Winfrey: A media mogul and philanthropist, Winfrey broke barriers as the first female African-American billionaire and has been influential in advocating for various causes.
- Michael Jordan: Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and has had a significant impact on popular culture.
- Toni Morrison: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Morrison’s work explores themes of African-American identity and has made a profound impact on American literature.
- Malcolm X: A powerful figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X advocated for black empowerment, self-defense, and Pan-Africanism.
African-Americans Ethnic Group Factsheet
| Demographics | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Population | |
| Total African-Americans | 13.4% | 44 million |
| Male | 6.6% | 22 million |
| Female | 6.8% | 22 million |
| Under 18 years old | 14.3% | 9.5 million |
| 65 and older | 9.5% | 3.6 million |
| Top states with highest African-American population: | ||
| 1. Mississippi | 38% | |
| 2. Louisiana | 33.2% | |
| 3. Georgia | 31.4% | |
Reference to The African-Americans People
- 1. African American History: A Chronology by Alton Hornsby Jr.
- 2. The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald Yacovone.
- 3. The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois.
- 4. Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon.
- 5. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson.
- 6. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi.
- 7. Sisters in the Struggle: African American Women in the Civil Rights-Black Power Movement edited by Bettye Collier-Thomas and V.P. Franklin.
- 8. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.
- 9. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans by John Hope Franklin and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham.
- 10. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley.
If you’d like to delve deeper into about the famous people of African-Americans, we encourage you to utilize our search feature in KOBI International or visit the official websites and references for accessing relevant materials.
