First To Accomplish
They were the first to accomplish something in any endeavor. And because they were the first at doing what they did, they achieved a historical first. It’s a difficult and remarkable feat to be the first at doing something when you have to overcome blatant racism, discrimation and sexism, but they did it because they had the drive and determination. And especially when living during the Jim Crow era. This is a list that is made up of people in a variety of areas. You’ll find folks in medicine, sports, military, government, law, sciences-inventor, literature, and many other fields.
Below you’ll find many prominent African Americans that achieved a significant firsts, such as the first Black man and woman to get a medical degree and so on. Many are well known such as Jackie Robinson, Benjamin O. Davis Sr, and Thurgood Marshall, yet there are others that are not quite as familiar, such as Hazel Johnson-Brown or George Taliaferro. Nonetheless, their achievements and efforts warrant their place on this list.
Regardless of when, where or the circumstances, the progress of these African Americans is a reflection of the struggles and hard work that they overcame, to reach the goals of freedom, equality, and justice. Because these men and women had the courage and boldness to be the first person to accomplish something that no one of their race did, they deserve applause and acknowledgment. It goes without saying that this list is NOT a list of ALL the first accomplishments by Black women and men through out the ages. There is NO SUCH LIST. As with any list of this subject there is bound to be controversy, but that is what a list is suppose to do, right? To get people to think. The folks below are in my list and it grows continually. It is a short list, compared to many, because I have purposely not included some. I have my reasons for exclusions and inclusions.
