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These are the first black Americans to realize pioneering achievements in their fields. With talent and determination, each one has reinvented not only what it means to be an African American, but also what it means to ba an america. our list celebrates the first African Americans to overcome the obstacles of discrimination and achieve top honors in their fields of endeavor.
First black member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, in 1955.
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First African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, in 2001 for Monster's Ball.
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In October 2003, black artists held all "Billboard" Top Ten chart positions for the first time in pop history. Beyoncé was No. 1.
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Composed first Broadway musical written and directed by African-Americans.
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First African-American astronaut to launch into space, in 1983.
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First black to receive a Pulitzer Prize, in 1950.
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First African-American to win a Nobel Peace Prize, in 1950.
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First black woman elected to Congress, in 1968 (from Brooklyn to 91st Congress).
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First back entertainer to host his own show on national television, in 1956.
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First African-American to earn a PhD in Mathematics, in 1925 (Cornell University).
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First black appointed to the rank of general, in 1940. His son, Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., was the first black general in the Air Force.
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First black female US Poet Laureate, 1993-1995.
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First Black Muslim elected to U.S Congress, in 2006 from Minnesota.
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First African-American to play in the US Open, winning the tournament twice, in 1957 and 1958.
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First artist ever to have seven consecutive singles hit number one.
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First black woman astronaut to launch into space, in 1992.
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The owner of Black Entertainment Television, Johnson became the first black billionaire in 2001.
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First black artist to paint an official presidential portrait (Bill Clinton).
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First African-American elected to public office, in 1855 in Ohio.
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First jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, in 1875. Thirteen of the 14 jockeys in the first Derby were black.
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First black to own billion-dollar company, TLC Beatrice Lewis opened TLC Group, a venture capital firm.
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First African-American appointed to the Supreme Court, in 1963.
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