African-American founders

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20th century. Over a four-decade career, his musical achievements broke American racial barriers and made him a dominant figure worldwide. Through his songs, concerts, and fashion, he proliferated visual performance for artists in popular music, popularizing street dance moves such as the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean. Jackson is often deemed the greatest entertainer of all time.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, film producer, and record producer. Commonly referred to as "the Voice", she is one of the most awarded performers of all time. A cultural icon, she broke down gender and racial barriers through her artistic achievements and music videos. Known for her vocal delivery, gospel singing style, crossover appeal, and live performances, Houston was ranked second on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest singers of all time in 2023.

lawyer and former First Lady of the United States (2009-2017)

Malcolm X was an African American revolutionary and Black nationalist leader who rose from a background of poverty, family disruption, and criminal activity to a prominent figure during the civil rights movement until his assassination in 1965. He discovered the religious organization the Nation of Islam while in prison and served as its spokesperson from 1952 until 1964. He was also a vocal advocate for Black empowerment and the promotion of Islam within the African American community. A controversial figure accused of preaching violence, Malcolm X is also a celebrated figure with Black people and Muslims worldwide for his pursuit of racial justice.

American sociologist and activist (1868–1963)

American writer and feminist activist (1934–1992)

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

American author, activist, and civil rights leader; wife of Martin Luther King, Jr.

American journalist and civil rights activist (1862–1931)

African-American dancer, choreographer and activist (1931-1989)

Black American queer liberation activist (1945–1992)

Lance Taylor, known professionally as Afrika Bambaataa, was an American disc jockey, rapper and record producer. He was notable for releasing a series of genre-defining electro tracks in the 1980s that influenced the development of hip-hop culture. Bambaataa was one of the originators of breakbeat DJing.

Candace Amber Owens Farmer is an American political commentator, author, and conspiracy theorist. Her political positions have mostly been described as conservative or far-right. She has promoted conspiracy theories on a wide range of subjects throughout her career. Since 2024, she has espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Co-founder of the Black Panther Party (1942-1989)

American educator and civil rights leader (1875-1955)

African-American activist (1948-1969)

American activist and writer (born 1981)

American artist and activist

American civil rights activist (1917–1977)

American civil rights activist (1912–1987)

American writer, activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest (1910-1985)

American activist and academic (born 1946)

American environmental advocate and civil rights activist

American publisher, journalist, African American civil rights leader, suffragist, and editor

American human rights activist

American politician and educator (born 1976)

American activist and suffragette (1863–1954)

American author and historian

American actress (1925–2004)

African-American teacher and businesswoman

American physician and writer (1825–1875)

American journalist

African Americans' rights activist (1920-1999)

Leader of the Nation of Islam (1933-2008)

American political activist (born 1941)

American businesswoman known for civil rights activism

Founder of Prince Hall Freemasonry

U.S. religious leader (1876–1965) who founded the International Peace Mission movement (1877–1965)

founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America (1886-1929)

American writer (born 1948)

American union organizer and civil rights activist (1926–2017)

founder of The Nation of Gods and Earths (1928–1969)

American writer and activist (1924-2020)

American attorney, businessman and diplomat (1938-2023)

American activist

American historian, writer, lawyer, activist and professor

American poet and activist

African-American musician, writer, and educator

American cult leader and sex offender(born 1945)

African-American teacher and activist

American politician (1899–1990)

American professor and activist

American bishop

spiritual leader of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem

American civil rights activist (1931–1985)

American civil rights leader and politician

American activist (1931–1973)

American mobster