List of Famous African Americans

There are many African American legends if we explore the history, but here is a short list of famous African Americans. The list of famous African Americans is presented randomly without any particular order of field and without any regard to living and non-living legends.

George Washington Carver
Born in 1864, George Washington Carver paved the way for agriculturists to come. This is one of the greatest examples of dedication in Human History. A single urge of learning has overcome the sufferings and hardships of slave life. He was the second African American to make it into the hall of fame. George Washington Carver, in the end, achieved his goal as the greatest agriculturists and so much more. Everything that he invented, he invented for the benefit of mankind

Michael Jackson
Does anyone need the introduction? Singer, song-writer, born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, as the seventh of nine children, his contribution to modern pop has been enormous and unforgettable.

Muhammad Ali
A boxer, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. As an amateur boxer (1954–60), winning 100 of 108 matches, he became the 1960 Olympic light-heavyweight champion. He was an almost universal choice as the 20th-century's most important sportsman, and at the end of 1999 was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Century.

Tiger Woods
A golfer, born Eldrick Woods on December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California. He shot to fame after winning the US Masters at Augusta in 1997 - with a record score of 270 - at the age of 21. Woods was the first African-American to do so, as well as the youngest.

Mike Tyson
A boxer, born in New York City, USA. The National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion in 1984, he turned professional the following year. A lethal puncher, he beat 15 of his first 25 opponents by knockouts in the first round. He is a renowned living legend.

Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr
Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. won his wings and commission as a Tuskegee airman in 1943, but didn't see combat in World War II. He did, however, see combat in the Korean War, flying over 100 missions and earning a reputation as an outstanding fighter pilot.

Joe Louis
Joe Louis, 1914-1981, held the world heavyweight boxing title longer than anyone in history, twelve years. He would successfully defend the title 25 times, scoring 20 knockouts. He was known as the 'Brown Bomber' because of his quick devastating punches. Joe Louis has arguably been called the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.

Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey, 1887-1940, is recognized as leader of the first mass movement among America's Blacks. His theme was "Black Pride" when he started his "Back-to-Africa" movement in the U.S. He began his struggle in his native Jamaica in 1916, calling it the University Negro Improvement Association.

Maya Angelou
A world famous poet, author, historian singer and civil rights activist. This Grammy and Horatio Alger award winner was raised in segregated rural Arkansas.

Marian Anderson
An African American operatic and concert singer that was renowned throughout the world for her extraordinary contralto voice. The first African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera.

James Booker
Perhaps the greatest piano player in the history of New Orleans. The self proclaimed Piano Prince of New Orleans.

Willie Lewis Brown, Jr.
The mayor of the city and county of San Francisco, California. Before his term as mayor, he was the longest serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history; furthermore, he is the only African American to ever hold that post.

Anthony Davis
An internationally known African American composer of operatic, symphonic, choral, and chamber works. He is best known for his opera X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X.

William Edward Dubois
An African American educator, author, historian, sociologist, philosopher, poet, and leader. Besides being one of the founders of the NAACP, he was the very first African American to receive a doctoral degree from Harvard University.

Billie Holiday
One of the most famous Jazz singers of all time.

Quincy Jones
African American music impresario, who won over twenty Grammy awards, an Emmy award and several Oscar nominations.

B.B King
The guitarist B.B. King has been called the undisputed King of the Blues.

Les McCann
The legendary godfather of contemporary soul-jazz is known for his smooth and funky spontaneity.

Toni Morrison
Famous author of such works as "Beloved", "The Bluest Eye", "Song of Solomon", "Tar baby", and many other great works. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.

Sidney Poiter
The first Afro-American actor to win the Oscar (Lilies of the Fields, 1963). One of the very best actors of all time.

General Colin Powell
Powell is the first African American to hold the office of United States Secretary of State; furthermore, he is the only African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense.

Henry Tanner
Henry Ossawa Tanner was one of the first great African American artists to achieve recognition in both America and Europe.

Derek Walcott
A Nobel Prize winning poet and playwright.

Grace Bumbry
Famous African American opera singer who sang in concerts around the world.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Black Nationalist and Pan-African theorist who encouraged Black migration back to Africa.

Langston Hughes
A Poet, Essayist, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, & Lyricist born in Joplin, Missouri. Sometimes called The Poet Laureate of Harlem. One of America's greatest writers.

The list still goes on… The contribution of all these African Americans to our society is great.