BARBARA SMITH CONRAD (1937-2017) Barbara Conrad (née Barbara Louise Smith) was an internationally acclaimed opera singer, educator, and civil rights pioneer. Conrad, the youngest of five children, was born and raised in an all-black town in Texas. In 1956, Conrad was one of 104 Black students to be admitted to the University of Texas in … Read more
ANGELA DAVIS (b. 1944) Angela Davis is an American political activist, revolutionary icon, professor, and author who was an active member in the Communist Party and the Black Panther Party. Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1944, Davis was no stranger to the impact of racism and activism. In high school, Davis participated in a program that … Read more
MISTY COPELAND (b. 1982) Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer who, in 2015, became the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Copeland has broken ground in roles from Clara in the Nutcracker to Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, published several books, pushed for more diversity in the arts, and is giving back … Read more
LORI LIGHTFOOT (b. 1962) Lori Lightfoot is an American politician and attorney who served as the 56th Mayor of Chicago. She was the second woman, first African-American woman, and first openly gay person to ever serve as Mayor of Chicago. Born in 1962, Lightfoot was known for her curious spirit and had a range of … Read more
HARRIET TUBMAN (1822-1913) Harriet Tubman was best known for being a conductor for the Underground Railroad, a Civil War nurse and spy, and advocate for human rights. Tubman — born Araminta Ross — was born into slavery in Maryland (MD) in the early 1820s. She was put to work as a nursemaid at age 5. Around age … Read more
SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1915-1973) Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She is often referred to as the “original soul sister” and “the godmother of rock and roll”. Tharpe was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas in 1915. She began singing and playing the guitar at age 4 and was hailed as a … Read more
KAMALA HARRIS (b. 1964) Kamala Harris served as Vice President of the United States from 2021-2025 and was the first woman and person of color to serve in that office. She was the first woman and the first African American attorney general in California, the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. senator, and … Read more