29 Black Americans Who Shook Up The World Black History Month Compiled by Claudie G. Jean-Baptiste Based on The Fierce 44 Black Americans By the Staff of the Undefeated Portraits by Robert Ball https://www.amazon.com/dp/1328940624/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_qFT nEbP1X3759 February 1st Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was an American professional boxer, activist, ​ ​ and philanthropist. He is known universally as one of the greatest boxers of all time, thus his nickname “The Greatest”. Muhammad Ali became an Olympic gold medalist in 1960 and the ​ ​ world heavyweight boxing champion in 1964. February 2nd Toni Morrison, was an American novelist, essayist, book editor, and college professor. Her ​ book, Song of Solomon (1977) brought her national attention and won the National Book Critics ​ ​ ​ Circle Award. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved(1987). Toni Morrison gained worldwide ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ recognition when she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She​ was one of the ​ ​ ​ greatest writers in history. February 3rd Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was an African-American entrepreneur, ​ ​ philanthropist, and a political and social activist. She developed and marketed a line of ​ ​ cosmetics and hair care products for black women through the business she founded, Madam ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. At the time of her death, she became the wealthiest ​ ​ African-American businesses woman and wealthiest self-made woman in America. ​ February 4th Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. It did not ​ take long for Basquiat to secure his legacy as an artist. Basquiat explored hip hop, rap, punk, street art and hip hop music. Basquiat in his art demonstrated his experiences in the black community as well as attacks on power structures and systems of racism. Basquiat became famous as part of SAMO, an informal graffiti. Jean-Michel Basquiat is recognized as the most successful African American painter in history. February 5th Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress. She was the ​ ​ first black candidate and the first woman to run for a major party’s nomination for president. She was an American politician, educator, and author. Shirley Chisholm fought to help people ​ get educated and help poor people get enough food to eat. Shirley Chisholm’s motto is ​ “Unbought and Unbossed”. February 6th Charles Drew was the first African American to get a medical doctorate from Columbia ​ University. He was a surgeon who pioneered methods of storing blood plasma for transfusion. He organized the first large-scale blood bank in the U.S. Charles. Drew became the world leader on blood transfusions and storage. His work was especially important for the United States with World War II. Drew resigned from the Red Cross when the US military decided that the blood of African American would be segregated and not used on white troops. February 7th Ida B. Wells was one of the founders of the NAACP. She became the most famous black woman in America because she fought for equality for African Americans, especially women. ​ ​ She advocated for voting rights and civil rights of black women. She was an African-American investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the civil rights movement. Ida B. Wells ​ ​ ​ ​ was the best of American journalism. .