16 African-American Firsts Besides Barack Obama

Bessie ColemanElizabeth "Bessie" Coleman was an American civil aviator. On June 15, 1921 she became the first African-American female pilot and the first African-American to hold an international pilot license. Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de MoseThe first free African-American community in America was Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose (now usually referred to as Fort Mose). As early as 1687, Spain, the owners of the territory, intended to destabilize the plantation economy of the British territories by creating a free Black community that would serve as a destination for slaves seeking escape and refuge. In effect, Spain created a Maroon colony as a frontline defense against English attacks from the north of the country. James DerhamFirst African-American to formally practice medicine in the U.S. was James Derham, who did not hold a medical degree. Born in 1757 as an enslaved African-American in Philadelphia, he eventually purchased his freedom by working as a nurse. He subsequently opened a medical practice, and by the age of 20 his annual earnings exceeded $3,000. Alexander TwilightAlexander Twilight was the first African-American to receive a degree from an American college. He earned a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in 1823. Phillis WheatleyPhillis Wheatley was the first known African-American woman to publish a book. The publication Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) brought her fame both in England and the American colonies; figures such as George Washington praised her work. Bobby Marshall and Fritz Pollard Fritz Pollard and Bobby MarshallFritz Pollard (Akron Pros) and Bobby Marshall (Rock Island Independents) were the first two African-American players in the National Football League in 1920. In 1921, Pollard was also the first African-American head coach in the NFL, coaching the Akron Pros, while still maintaining his roster position as running back. Freedom's JournalFreedom's Journal was the first African-American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States. Founded by the Rev. Peter Williams Jr. and other free Black men in New York City, it was published weekly starting with the Sept. 14, 1827 issue. Wilberforce UniversityThe first university owned and operated by African-Americans is Wilberforce University. The university was founded in 1856 in Wilberforce, Ohio. Macon AllenMacon Allen was the first African-American licensed to practice law in the United States (Boston). He is also believed to be the first African-American to hold a judicial position. He moved to Charleston, S.C., after the American Civil War to practice law and was elected to be a judge in the probate court of Charleston in 1874. Jack JohnsonJack Johnson, nicknamed the Galveston Giant, was an American boxer at the height of the Jim Crow era. He was the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). Joseph Jenkins RobertsJoseph Jenkins Roberts was the first African-American president of a country. He was the first (1848–1856) and seventh (1872–1876) president of Liberia. Born free in Norfolk, Virginia, Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829 as a young man. Pierre Caliste LandryPierre Caliste Landry was born an enslaved African-American but after the American Civil War he became an attorney, Methodist Episcopal minister, and politician. He was the first African-American to be elected as mayor in 1868 in Donaldsonville, La. Madam C. J. Walker Madam C. J. Walker was the first African-American female millionaire. In 1910, she established her business headquarters in Indianapolis, where she made her fortune by developing and marketing a successful line of beauty and hair products for Black women under the company she founded, Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. Left to Right Earl Lloyd, Nat Clifton, and Chuck Cooper Earl Lloyd, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, and Chuck CooperEarl Lloyd (Washington Capitols), Chuck Cooper (Boston Celtics), and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton (New York Knicks) are the first African-American basketball players to play in the National Basketball Association in 1950. Cooper was also the first African-American to be drafted by an NBA team. Ralph BuncheRalph Bunche was an American political scientist, academic, and diplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his late 1940s mediation in Palestine. He was the first African-American to be honored in the history of the prize. Ethel WatersEthel Waters was first African-American to star in her own television program, The Ethel Waters Show, on NBC in 1939. Waters was also the first African-American to be nominated for an Emmy award in 1962. Sources: http://www.nytimes.com http://en.wikipedia.org

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