First African Americans

The month of February is observed as Black History Month. We celebrate African Americans that pioneered and paved the way for modern day African Americans to exercise their rights, work in their chosen careers, and have equality as citizens of United States of America and abroad. I will be highlighting a few African Americans in various occupations that was the first to trailblazed in that particular career.

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to hold a pilot license,. In 1921, she was the earliest known black person to earn an international pilot license.Bessie was born January 26th 1982 and died April 30th 1926 from a plane crash.

Susie King Taylor was considered to be the first black nurse and teacher in America. Susie taught freed African American slaves in a freedom school in Georgia. She also opened up various schools in Georgia. She was the first black woman to self- publish her memoirs. Susie was born August 6, 1848 and died October 6, 1912.

Naomi Ruth Sims is credited as the first African American supermodel to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal, November 1968. Naomi became the first successful black models while still in her teens and achieved worldwide recognition from the late 1960's into the early 1970's appearing on the cover of popular magazines. Naomi Ruth was born March 30th, 1948 and died August 1, 2009.

Dr. James McCure Smith was the first African American to earn a medical degree. He graduated at the top of his class at the University of Glasgow Scotland. He debunked the racial theories in Thomas Jefferson's rules on the State of Virginia. He refuted phrenology and homeopathy and responded with a forceful statistical critiques to the racially biased US Census of 1840.

Solomon Carter Fuller was the first African American to study psychiatry. He studied Alheimer's disease, he created the Dr. Solomon Center Fuller Mental Health Center located in Boston. He was one of the five research assistants selected by Alois Alzheimer to work in his laboratory at the Royal Psychiatric Hospital in Munich an experience that paved the way for trailblazing research in Alheizermer's disease. Solomon Carter was born August 11, 1872 and died January 16th 1953.

George W. Johnson a former slave became the first African American musician to make a commercial record. He was known for recording Lauging Song and Whistling Coon in 1895. George Johnson was the first African American to appear on the pop chart.

Bob Ryland is the first African American male professional tennis player in the United States..Ryland coached many notable players including Harold Solomon, Bruce Foxworth, a young Arthur Ashe, and later Venus and Serena Williams as teenagers. Bob Ryland borned June 16th 1920 and died August 2, 2020.

Thanks so much for reading my blog, while you're here check out the other stories on the site. Also feel free to leave a comment about the topic, who would you add to this list? Follow me on my socials, send me an email if you want to collaborate or if you want me to help promote your products or if you want to tell your personal story or an achievement. 🥰