Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King concept of somebodiness gave black and poor people a new sense of worth and dignity. His philosophy of nonviolent direct action, and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change, galvanized the conscience of this nation and reordered its priorities. 

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks sits in the front of a city bus in Montgomery, Ala. on Dec. 21, 1956, the day a Supreme Court ruling banning segregation of the city's public transit vehicles went into effect. A year earlier, she had been arrested and jailed for refusing to give up her seat in a crowded bus.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela has never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. Despite terrible provocation, he has never
answered racism with racism. His life has been an inspiration, in South Africa and throughout the world, to all who are oppressed
and deprived, to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation. 

Malcolm X & Muhammed Ali 

Malcolm X had a huge influence in Muhammed Ali's convergence to the Muslim faith Islam. After Muhammed Ali defeated Sonny Liston in the famous fight, in which he shook up the world, he then shook up the United States when he announced he had converted to Islam and will no longer go by the name Cassius Clay.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, distingushed poet and activist, author of the best-selling I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing, Gather Together In My Name and Heart of a Women, has also written five collections of poetry. She has received numerous honorary degrees, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Commission on the Oberservance of International Women's Year, and was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford to the American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Council.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley, born in Jamaica was the first superstar from the Third World. He gave the world brilliant and evocative music, his work stretched across nearly two decades and yet still remains timeless and universal. Bob's music was poetic and many considered him a modern day prophet, his work speaks for itself.

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey - Nationalist, business strategist. Garvey is the Jamaican-born leader who gained worldwide acclaim for his organizational skills. Through his Universal Negro Improvement Association, Garvey created a number of prosperous businesses, including a shipping line, factory, bakery, cleaners, grocery store, restaurants and a publishing house.

Civil Rights Movement

Separate drinking fountains for whites and blacks. "Colored balconies" in movie theaters. Seats in the back of the bus. Soldiers called out to protect little children who were trying to go to school. 

It may be difficult to believe these were examples of conditions in
America less than 40 years ago. The struggle to change these
conditions, and to win equal protection under the law for citizens of all races was the backdrop for the Civil Rights Movement.