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Learn more about the lives of African-Americans who have made extraordinary achievements in their fields, with our collection of Black History Groups.
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Watch full episodes of Black History icons, record-breakers and leaders. See how famous figures like Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson changed history. See all videos.
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Flip through these photos of some of Black History's most important, controversial and inspiring figures. Check out our African-American Firsts - Athletes, Black Comedians, Million-Dollar Ideas, African-American Biopics, African-American Expats, or explore all of our Black History photos.
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Black History Timeline
Celebrate the historical icons of America's black community through this interactive journey.
1 / 10 photos Million Dollar Ideas
Russell Simmons co-founded the record label Def Jam in a college dorm room in 1984. It fostered the emerging school of hip-hop and rap, and artists such as the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC. Now the third-richest figure in hip-hop, Simmons also heads clothing line Phat Farm and the television show Def Comedy Jam.
(Getty Images)Russell Simmons
Originally a local Chicago morning-show host, Oprah Winfrey became the richest African-American in the history. Winfrey is the host of the longest-running daytime talk show in history; the founder of two magazines; the CEO of Harpo Productions, and owner of The Oprah Winfrey Network, which launched on January 1, 2011.
(FilmMagic)Oprah Winfrey
When Madam C.J. Walker developed "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower," her remedy for hair loss and scalp health, in 1906, she became a pioneer in the African-American beauty industry. The success of her product turned Walker into the first African-American female millionaire.
Madam C.J. Walker
Sheila Johnson, along with co-founder and former husband Robert L. Johnson, formed BET television in 1980. After selling the network in 1999, Sheila turned to the sports world, becoming the first black woman to partner in three professional sports franchises in three leagues: the NBA, WNBA and the NHL.
(Getty Images for Women's Sport F)Sheila Johnson
Entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, along with his co-founder and former wife Sheila Johnson, created Black Entertainment Television in 1980. BET was an instant success, becoming the first black-controlled company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991, and making Robert Johnson the first African-American billionaire.
(Getty Images)Robert L. Johnson
Award-winning engineer Lonnie Johnson was already known for his aeonautical work when he designed one of America's favorite toys: the Super Soaker water gun. Since licensing the product in 1989, the Super Soaker has generated over $200 million in retail sales, and was the top-selling toy in the U.S. in 1991 and 1992.
Lonnie G. Johnson
Edward T. Lewis, among others, established Essence magazine in 1970. Using "family, friends, credit cards" and venture capital to start the groundbreaking publication for African-American women, Essence has explored a range of topics from racial equality to current fashion. It currently reaches more than 1 million readers a month.
(Getty Images)
In 1985 basketball legend Michael Jordan's Air Jordan sneaker launched a global trend in creatively constructed athletic shoes and made Nike more than $1 billion in sales. One of the most marketed sports figures in history, Jordan makes an estimated $40 million a year in product endorsements alone.
(WireImage)Michael Jordan
Berry Gordy, Jr.'s Motown Records label brought African-American performers to the forefront of the American music industry in the 1960s and 70s, helping to create Billboard hits for artists such as The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 for his contributions to American music.
(Getty Images)Berry Gordy Jr.
After reclaiming his heavyweight boxing title in 1994, George Foreman traded in his boxing gloves for oven mitts, becoming the spokesperson for the revolutionary kitchen appliance, the Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine. His entertaining infomercials helped sell more than 100 million grills worldwide.
(Getty Images)George Foreman
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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