9 Inspiring Pioneering Black History Famous Figures Hidden No More

Inspiring & Encouraging Resilient Children

Several Black History famous figures remain hidden from us. Black History Month reminds us all that black history is American history. The black history famous figures shared in this lesson will help your children realize their own potential. Teach your children about these amazing trailblazers. Help your children to see their possibilities through the lives of these leaders. Get to know 9 prominent hidden black leaders and learn the stories behind their success with our black history month workbook, Black History Reading Comprehension Grades 3-5.  The workbook helps kids learn about black history famous figures and improve their reading skills. Use it with any black history biography.

Here I share nine books about Black History Famous Figures who are significant to American History yet rarely mentioned.

Black history famous figures: Hidden Figures Woman, Mabel Fairbanks, Figure Skater

Read the story of Mabel Fairbanks a Figure Skater and Champion Skating Coach. A hidden figures woman who became the first African American inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1997.  Mabel fought tirelessly to integrate professional skating. Although discrimination prevented Mabel from entering the Olympics as a skater, she helped to develop the skills and talents of many figure skaters of all races who went on to become national, world, and Olympic Champions.

Black history famous figures, Paul R. Williams, Architect

The story and life of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams is one of determination, resiliency, and black excellence.  His achievement as the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects is another one of black history little known facts.   Paul created $100,000 homes for some of the wealthiest people in Hollywood.  He became known as the “Architect to the Stars.”  His career was incredibly prolific and spanned more than four decades. Paul created over 3,000 structures all over the world despite the many obstacles he endured.

Black history famous figures: Hidden Figures Woman, Ray Montague, Engineer

Ray Montague is a trailblazer in the area of S.T.E.M. She is the first person to design a ship by computer in just 18 hours and 26 minutes. A hidden figures woman who also made history as the Navy’s first female program manager of ships. Ray’s impressive talent for mathematics helped her surpass barriers and become a pioneering engineer in the U.S. Navy. Ray experienced prejudice, racism, and discrimination throughout her entire life. Yet, Ray’s innate talent for mathematics awarded her a position at the U.S. Navy’s Shipbuilding Research Facility.    

Black history famous figures: Dr. Charles Henry Turner, Entomologist & Biologist

Dr. Charles Henry Turner was a pioneer scientist of animal behavior born in 1867. He is well-known for his work as an internationally acclaimed entomologist. One of the leading African American Scientists of his time. Dr. Turner was the first biologist to scientifically prove that bees can see color. Dr. Turner had to fight hard to get an education. Turner went on to publish over seventy scientific papers, first in the area of entomology and later in the field of animal behavior. Dr. Turner taught at Howard University for more than 40 years. Turner is a renowned scientist and educator who overcame adversity to pursue his passion and excel.

Black history famous figures: MaVynee Betsch, Environmentalist & Activist

MaVynee Betch was an African American environmentalist and conservationist dedicated to the preservation of American Beach. The historic black beach is located on Florida’s Amelia Island.   She was instrumental in President George W. Bush, signing a law protecting American Beach. MaVynee dedicated her life to the preservation of American Beach. Over the course of 50 years, she tirelessly worked to clean up the beach and prevent development. Her work saved the beach from destruction. She was given the title of “The Beach Lady” by local media. MayVanee was a hidden figures woman who devoted her life to making a positive difference.

Black history famous figures: Arturo Schomburg, Curator & Historian

Arturo Schomburg was a trail-blazing Curator and Historian of Afro-Puerto Rican descent born in 1874. He made a major contribution to Afro-Latino studies and literature.  Schomburg is the first to uncover and document the accomplishments of people of African descent. When his fifth-grade teacher told him that the sons and daughters of Africa had no history and no heroes, that began his life-long quest to prove otherwise. Arturo dedicated his life to collecting books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora. He amassed one of the largest collections to promote the preservation of black history. 

Black history famous figures: Dr. Patricia Bath, Ophthalmologist

Born in Harlem, New York in 1942,  Patricia Bath is a pioneering ophthalmologist. and the first African American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention.  In 1976 Patricia became the first female ophthalmologist to head a resident program in ophthalmology in the US. Patricia’s passion for healing the blind led her to develop the Laserphaco Probe, a device she patented in 1988. This invention revolutionized cataract surgery. It allowed for much less invasive procedures.  Patricia’s life reminds us all of what one determined person can do when armed with determination and ambition.

Black history famous figures: James Van Der Zee, Portrait Photographer

James Van Der Zee is a groundbreaking photographer who was born in Massachusetts in 1876. He captured the history of both our civil rights movement and the captivating beauty of the Harlem Renaissance. He became known for his carefully crafted portraits capturing the spirit and beauty of African American communities during the 1920s and 1930s. James is an artist who significantly impacted the Harlem Renaissance. His photographs went into a museum. They captured and represented the essence of the era. He is a  testament to how one man’s life and his extraordinary ability can capture moments in time.

Black history famous figures: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly, Seamstress & Fashion Designer

Born into slavery, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly was a remarkable woman who overcame racial injustice and achieved extraordinary success as a seamstress and designer. Keckly was best known for her dress-making business. Particularly, for designing and creating dresses for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. As she developed her sewing skills she became a designer, patternmaker, and seamstress for prominent women.  Elizabeth used her business to empower other African American women and address issues of racial injustice through philanthropy. Elizabeth’s story teaches us to dream impossible dreams, and set impossible goals, and about the remarkable power of perseverance in accomplishing them both. 

Reading with Comprehension is a matter of Social Justice and Equity

In addition to our children learning about Black History Famous Figures, it is important for them to be able to read with comprehension. According to the most recent reading assessment, published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), African American students are falling behind at an alarming rate. Reading proficiency among African American students lags far behind their white peers at every grade level. Fourth graders, in particular, demonstrate an alarming gap. Among fourth graders, 64 percent of white students are reading at or above grade level, compared to just 39 percent of African American children. To make matters worse, this gap actually widens as students progress through the grades. If you are concerned about your child’s reading progress, join one of our classes. These classes will focus on reading engagement, improving and enriching reading with comprehension. Join our waitlist today!

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