Table of Contents

Foreword v

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

PART ONE: THE EARLY YEARS

William Alexander Leidesdorff 7

PART TWO: THE CIVILWAR YEARS AND RECONSTRUCTION

Mary Ellen Pleasant 15

Bridget “Biddy” Mason 22

Anthony Overton 27

Abraham Lincoln Lewis 31

PART THREE: INTO THE NEW CENTURY

Madame C. J. Walker 39

Annie Turnbo Malone 43

Robert Sengstacke Abbott 48

Arthur George Gaston 54

S. B. Fuller 61

PART FOUR: MODERN TIMES

John H. Johnson 71

Crispus Attucks Wright 77

Matel “Mat” Dawson Jr. 82

Quincy D. Jones 86

Earl G. Graves 92

Joe L. Dudley Sr. 97

Reginald Francis Lewis 103

Robert L. Johnson 108

Oprah Gail Winfrey 114

Shelton “Spike” Jackson Lee 120

Russell Simmons 126

Earvin “Magic” Johnson 130

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds 136

Tyra Banks 140

Eldrick “Tiger” Woods 144

Bibliography 150

Picture Credits 152

Index 153

About the Author

Dr. Otha Sullivan (Jackson, MS) received his doctorate in education from Wayne State University in1973. He is a former science teacher in the Detroit Public School System, and is currently a professor of Education and Psychology and the Director of the ACHIEVE Mississippi Project at Alcorn State University. Dr. Sullivan is the author of African American Inventors and African American Women Scientists and Inventors, both volumes in Wiley's Black Stars Series.

Jim Haskins (New York, NY), is the general editor for the Black Stars series and the award-winning author of over 100 books for young readers.