Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, on 2 May 1844. His parents were George and Emillia McCoy, former slaves from Kentucky who escaped through the Underground Railroad. George joined …
Black in America
Henry Boyd – Black inventor
Henry Boyd was a skilled carpenter, born into slavery in Kentucky on 12 April 1802. At a young age, his master apprenticed Henry out to a cabinetmaker. Henry proved to have an impressive talent for …
The Jim Crow laws
The Jim Crow laws were an umbrella term for state and local laws which legalised racial segregation. African Americans were to be marginalised by these laws – which existed for about 100 years, …
Garret Morgan – Inventor of the traffic light and gas mask
Garrett Morgan possessed a rare gift of creativity that allowed him to produce outstanding inventions which have a tremendous impact on society.
Garrett Morgan was born on 4 March in Paris, …
Malcolm X: The charismatic civil rights leader and Black nationalist
Malcolm X was a prominent civil rights leader, Black nationalist, and minister who served as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam during the 1950s and 1960s. As an influential figure in both the …
Martin Luther King Jr: His life, legacy, and impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and a pivotal figure in American history. Through his tireless work, inspirational speeches, and unwavering commitment …
The transatlantic slave trade: An evil chapter in European history
The transatlantic slave trade was a horrifying period in history that lasted from the 16th to the 19th century. It involved the transportation of millions of enslaved Africans across the treacherous …