Students from Ms. Mizrachi’s AP African American History course have spent the month of Feruary enlightening AMHS students with  short profiles of influential African Americans as part of Black History Month. The Echo would like to share a selection of those profiles, and will add to the list as the information is shared.

National Black History Month has its origins in 1915, when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History  (ASALH). Through this organization, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Black History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of Black Americans. 

In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week urging all Americans to “recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by black citizens.” In 1976, ASALH expanded this commemoration of Black history in the United States from a week-long observance to Black History Month, which also has been known as African American History Month. In the same year, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Month.

Rho Kappa’s National Honor Society and the AP African American Studies Class would like to acknowledge and celebrate specific African Americans who have helped to advocate and break barriers for African Americans in US history.

Francis Sumner: Born in Arkansas in 1895, Francis Sumner was referred to as the “Father of Black Psychology” because he was the first African American to receive a PhD in Psychology. Although he did not finish high school he was able to pass an entrance exam at Lincoln University and graduated from there with honors. Later on he enrolled at Clark University to pursue a bachelors of arts in English. After graduation his plan was to earn his PhD in psych but he could not do so due to him being drafted into WWI. When he returned from war he re-enrolled into Clark University’s doctoral program for psychology where he completed his dissertation which was titled “Psychoanalysis of Freud and Adler”. Once Sumner earned his PhD he became a professor at many universities (one of them being Howard) and managed to publish several articles despite research agencies turning him away and not funding his research because he was African American. (-Courtesy of Tamiya)

Ketanji Brown Jackson: She was born in Washington D.C, 1970. Growing up  she was a very good student in school which allowed her to be elected the student body president. When she voiced her interest in going to Harvard she was told by her school counselor that it was too much for her and she later became Magna Cum Laude of Harvard University. She fought for racial change at Harvard University as a member of the Black Student Association where she organized rallies, sit-ins, petitions, and flyers in protest. In 2012 former president Obama nominated her for a District Court Judgeship, confirmed on a bipartisan vote in 2013. She was interviewed by Barack Obama as a potential candidate for nomination for the Supreme Court after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia She was confirmed for the U.S court of appeals for the D.C circuit in 2021 after being nominated by Biden. From February 25th – June 30th, 2022 Ketanji Brown Jackson was approved as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court being the first African American woman to be a part of the Supreme Court. (-Courtesy of Khaleil)

John Hendrik Clarke: Born on January 1, 1915, in Union Springs, Alabama Clarke then left for Harlem 18 years later during the Great Migration. He began developing his skills as a writer and lecturer on the African-American experience and the place of Africans in world history. Because of his dedication, he became the pioneer in the creation of Africana studies communicating that Africa and its people are the most written about, and yet the least understood history can only identify your existence but you must be the one to prove it. (-Courtesy of Tayler)

Frederick Douglas: Frederick Douglas’ impact on America is very obvious to see through his numerous speeches and writings. He used his voice as a powerful weapon to speak out against the injustices of slavery. This can be seen in one of his most famous speeches “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” He delivered in 1853 saying slavery was “the great sin and shame of America!” This along with his autobiographies giving a first hand account of the brutalities of slavery helped swaying the opinions of many. He spoke out not Just for the injustices of African Americans but for Women as well being an advocate and supporter of women’s suffrage. (-Courtesy of Dhannie)

Barack Obama: Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1961 on the 4th of August. Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America and was the first ever African-American President in all of US history. He graduated from Punahou school on a scholarship and later attended Occidental college before transferring to Columbia University. He then graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University’s law school and was the first African American president of the Harvard law review. (-Courtesy of Saviour)

W.E.B. Du Bois: W.E.B. Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868. He was an influential African American civil rights activist during the early 20th century. He co-founded the NAACP and wrote “The Soul of Black Folk”. “The Soul of Black Folk”, a collection of 14 essays about the progression of African Americans such as political power and education. WEB Du Bois was also the first African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University in 1895. (-Courtesy of Brayan)

Malcom X: Malcom Little also known as Malcom X was born on May 19th, 1925. Malcom X was an American Muslim minister who became a civil rights activist to help the civil rights movement. Malcom X become a figure of Black strength and empowerment. Malcom used his voice in society to persuade African Americans to fight white oppresion any way possible. This included violence which causes many people to view Malcom X as an oppositie to Dr Marten Luther King Jr. The burning need to fight social injustice in America was fuled by Malcoms intelligent usage of encouragement as an activist. Even after his death Malcom became a known historical figure admired in books and film for his fight for civil rights. (-Courtesy of Lucas)

Anna Julia Cooper: Anna Julia Haywood, born in 1858, married George A.G. Cooper in 1877. After her husband’s death, Cooper pursued a college degree and worked at Wilberforce University and Saint Augustine’s before teaching at Washington Colored High School. She published her first book, A Voice from the South, in 1892, advocating for equal education for women and promoting civil rights. Cooper co-founded organizations like the Colored Women’s League and the first Pan-African Conference. She returned to graduate study in 1911 and became the fourth African American woman to obtain a doctorate of philosophy in 1925.

In her book, Cooper identified how systems of oppression and domination converge around issues of race, class and gender. She also argued for the central place of black women in the battle for civil rights. Voices like her challenged Black men for disregarding the racialized and sexualized violence that Black women endured. She also had a massive impact on the field of education for black Americans, putting an emphasis on college preparatory courses, enabling more African Americans within her schools to become admitted to prestigious universities. (-Courtesy of Kazima)

Michael Jackson: Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Known as the “King of Pop”, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Michael Jackson’s impact extended beyond music and entertainment. As an African-American artist, he shattered racial barriers and became a global icon, transcending cultural boundaries. His success opened doors for future generations of artists, proving that talent and artistry know no color or race. (-Courtesy of Cesar)

King Von: Dayvon Daquan Bennett otherwise known as King Von is an American Drill artist based in Chicago. He was born in 1994 in Chicago Illinos, Raised in the parkway garden homes otherwise known as “OBlock” where many other famous drill artist came from. Von was raised in a life of violence growing up in Oblock with him being in and out of prison frequently. this soon became his catalyst to start up his music career with his then already know rap friend “Lil Durk”. With von being associated with this group of people he officially became part of the group only the family also known as “OTF” His association with this group became his catalyst into stardom with the song blowing him up into mainstream being “Crazy story” Von became one of the most influential artists of this modern Chicago drill era invoking a newer spark in the scene that was slowing dying. Von would take fruit in his accomplishments with multiple of his songs going platinum. unfortunately he couldnt bear witness to his fruits long as november 6th, 2020 he was shot fatally outside of a club where he lost his life. Though many hated Von, Ibelieve his story is also part of black history. (-Courtesy of Christopher)

Jesse Owens: Jesse Owens was born September 12th 1913, Jesse was an extremely talented track and field runner setting 5 world records. Jessie soon was invited to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany where in front of Hitler he won 4 gold medals over several Nazi athletes ,showing the world how wrong their racism was. (-Courtesy of Marlon)

Ella Baker: Born on the 13th of December, 1903 in Norfolk Virginia, Ella Baker grew up hearing her grandmother’s stories of life under slavery. Throughout Ella’s life, she would be inspired by her grandmother’s pride and resilience in facing racism and injustice, and she went on to study at St. Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, where she challenged school policies that seemed unfair to her as a student.. After graduating in 1927 as class valediction, Ella moved to New York City, where she began to join social activist organizations, such as Young Negroes Cooperatives League, in 1930 with the goal of developing black economic power by collective planning. Ella also participated in many women’s organizations that worked for economic justice for all people. She was deeply involved in the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) and the Student Non-Violent Coordination Council (SNCC), both of which were instrumental in shaping the growth of the civil rights movements in America. Ella continued to be an influential leader in the struggle for human rights and civil rights until she passed away on the 13th of December. (-Courtesy of Amelia)

Jack Roosevelt Robinson: Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Jackie grew up in Pasadena, California, and attended University of California Los Angeles. He was a great star athlete, playing many sports like, football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Jackie served in the U.S. Army during World War II, but was honorably discharged for standing up for his rights and refusing to move to the back of a segregated military bus. Shortly after returning home, Jackie wanted to join baseball’s Negro Leagues and began playing shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. After that his career for baseball took off, but not without facing harsh treamtment from everyone surrounding him. (-Courtesy of Destiny)

George Washington Carver: George Washington Carver was a Black scientist and inventor who became famous by creating over 300 products involving the peanut. He was born enslaved in 1864, later became interested in botany, and earned a master’s degree from the Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University). He became a teacher for Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, an advocate for farmers, and a world-renowned botanist. Carver died in 1943 and was the first African American to have a national monument created in his honor. (-Courtesy of John)

Shirley Chisholm: Shirley Chisholm became the first African American to run for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States, making her also the first woman ever to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination Chisholm, a founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, supported the Equal Rights Amendment and legalized abortions throughout her congressional career, which lasted from 1969 to 1983. In 1993 she was invited by Pres. Bill Clinton to serve as ambassador to Jamaica but declined because of poor health. Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. (-Courtesy of Mahelia)

Daryl Davis: Daryl Davis, born March 26 1958, is a blues singer, musician, and black rights activist whose biggest achievement is the conversion of over 200 KKK members. He practiced civil discourse with them and convinced them that he was no more or less human than they were and successfully created strong bonds with ex-members. Going so far as to become the godfather of the ex-leaders daughter, and being invited to give away the bride at the next ex-leaders wedding. He changed the hearts and minds of many ignorant and confused KKK members and showed them the errors of their ways, always beginning a new discussion with “How can you hate me, if you don’t even know me?”. It is important to remember his actions and honor these ways as civil discourse the the most peaceful and rational option to any complicated and difficult situation. (-Courtesy of Ruiky)

Maya Angelou: Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. She was an African American poet, memoirist, and actress, best known for her autobiography titled “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”. Her lasting impact by merging activism and literature to shed light on the oppression of not only black people but black women in particular strengthened the need for change and created diversity in the world of writing. (-Courtesy of Zayla)

Will Smith: Will Smith, along with his wife founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation to benefit African American inner-city community development, youth educational projects and under-privileged children and their families. He has also dedicated time and money for a cancer cure and other disease. (-Courtesy of Jayda)

Beyoncé: Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was born September 4th 1981 in Houston Texas. She was a part of the infamous girl group Destiny’s Child. Which got many awards and grammys. In 2003 Beyonce debut solo album “Dangerously in Love” won 5 awards. Since then, Beyoncé now has the title of most awarded artist in Grammy History and is a huge influence on people throughout the world. (-Courtesy of Derrikah)

Lebron James: was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron ohio. He is a professional basketball player widely considered one of if not THE greatest in Nba history. Lebron is known for his athleticism, versatility, and something very underrated which is his basketball IQ. Lebron has played for 3 nba teams Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami heat, then went back to cleveland and he is on his current team the Los Angeles Laker since 2018. He has four Nba championships, four finals MVP and four regular season MVPS. Off the court Lebron has had a major impact on the black community both through his activism and philanthropy his initiatives like the Program called the Lebron James Family Foundation. (-Courtesy of Christian)

Michael Jordan: Michael Jordan, born in 1963, is a famous basketball player. He played for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, winning six NBA championships. Jordan is considered one of the best players ever, with five MVP awards. Besides basketball, he’s a successful businessman and owns the Charlotte Hornets. His “Air Jordan” brand and competitive spirit made him a big influence in sports and pop culture. (-Courtesy of Sherwin)