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Jesse Owens
He became an inspiration for all Americans, black and white, when he won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics in front of Adolf Hitler and his "Master race." He specialized in sprints and long jump. He was the most sucessful athlete of the 1936 Summer Olympics. -
Joe Louis
Joe Louis was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all times. His championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months. He defeated German boxer Max Schmeling in 1938 after previously losing to him. A sportswriter wrote that he was a credit to his race- the human race. -
Jackie Robinson
In 1947 Jackie Robinson courageously broke the color barrier in baseball and paved the way for black athletes in all sports. He was the first black major league baseball player since the 1880s.
He significantly impacted the Civil Rights movement. He helped to end racial segregation in baseball. -
Hank Aaron
Hank AAron is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all times. He broke the home run record set by Babe Ruth. He played 21 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves. He made the All-Star team his first 20 consecutive seasons. Hank had to endure many death threats and harrassments. Hank served as an ambassador in civil rights. -
Jim Brown
Jim Brown was one of footballs' all-time greats. He remains a strong voice in the black community, working with young people. Brown was drafted to the NFL by the Cleaveland Browns in 1957. He is considered to be one of the greates professional athletes that the U.S. has ever produced. -
Althea Gibson
Known as "the Jackie Robinson of tennis" for breaking the color barrier. She was the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam. Althea won her fifth title in 1958. She later joined the Ladies Professional Golf Association. In golf, her best finish was a tie for second in 1970. -
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman to win three gold medals in Track and Field in a single Olympic Games. She inspired generations of young black women to take up sport. She was also regarded as a women's and civil rights pioneer. Wilma was born the 20th of 22 children. -
Muhammad Ali
Known as "The Greatest", stood behind his beliefs and fought for racial equality during the controversial 1960's. Ali was a professional boxer, philanthropist, and a social activist. He was vilified for refusing to be drafted in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War. -
John Carlos and Tommie Smith
Carlos and Smith raised black gloved fists on the medal podium at the 1968 Olympics to protest the treatment of black people in America in one of the most powerful demonstrations in History. The two U.S. athletes received their medals shoeless, wearing black socks to represent poverty. -
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe was the only black man to win Wimbledon. He was a strong voice in many civil rights movements. After contracting Aids via a blood transfusion, he became a voice in Aids awareness.