Unsung Hero black historical Figures

We’ve heard of Douglas, Parks, King, Obama but what about the black history the goes almost unnoticed👀

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Fannie Williams, was a key polarizing figure for women. She was very outspoken for slaves to be freed and she founded numerous of organizations for women of color. Not only did she do all of that she was also an educator! Fannie Barrier Williams truly made an impact in society having being outspoken both in and out the classroom.

No she wasn’t the first African American woman teacher. But darn it she was an educator! Could you imagine having a teacher of color during this time. That’s a astonishing achievement for blacks and their quest for equality which is something Williams fought for. In due time she received her recognition.

#FannieBarrierWilliams

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Robert Smalls was a very enticing individual. He escaped slavery and tried to continue accommodating their family in the south. Served for five term in the US House of Representatives. Not only did he get control of Planter he was promoted to Commander. Once he finished serving, he wanted change after serving he led a boycott to end the desegregation of Philadelphia’s transit system.

All of these facts prove that Smalls was a leader sure it may have been rough in his passed but he overcame it. He was a natural born leader, and very smart about it. He also knew about aviation facts. Smalls came in very handy during the war.

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Jack Sisson was an enslaved militia volunteer. He was a key part In the capturing of General Prescott in the revolutionary war. Not only did he do that he also participated in the battle of Yorktown and the battle of Rhode Island. Most notably he was freed from slavery once he served his time.

When looking at Sisson he wasn’t polarizing. He wasn’t outspoken. He was a leader. That is what Sisson did. He was a warrior and a trooper. By battling in numerous wars that had a change in our society he shows how dedicated he is to the flag. What’s even more significant is the fact that he was the backbone for the militia. It shows that anyone can no matter what race or skin color can lead the a team to victory or in battle. Look how many leaders came after Jack. Obama, Michael Jordan, MLK so many more! #JackSisson

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So let’s face it we know Edison invented the lightbulb and Alexander Graham invented the telephone. Those were their innovations. Clearly they could not have done it alone, they did it with the help of this man above. Lewis Latimer. Lewis not only helped Graham and Edison on their inventions but he also invented his own air conditioner. It’s ironic that a man of color gets no recognition for helping create two of the greatest inventions in modern society and still has no credibility for inventing something of his own.

Latimer, is not a pioneer he’s not a trailblazer but he should not go unnoticed. He helped them otherwise just think long term would we have a lightbulb if it were just Edison? Would we have a telephone if Alexander were the only one inventing it. Who knows but I’m one to believe in all hands on deck and Latimer definitely deserves an equal amount of shared the same respect given.

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This woman right here is the true meaning of perseverance. Not only being enslaved and a women, she faced adversity in America. Mary Ellen Pleasant was one of the most successful figures in African American history. As already stated she was indeed enslaved however she was the first known African American female millionaire. That’s was a tremendous accomplishment for African Americans and Women in itself. She was disrespected when she went to work for the gold rush I. California so what she did while at work was listen in on conversation that people were having like on stocks and taxes values so she could gain knowledge on how to successfully make it in America.

Well let’s not begin on how this helps shape the next thousand years. The first female black millionaire and look how many we have now! It is absolutely incredible to see how far women of color have come. Let’s face Mary Ellen paved the way for the likes of Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Jada Smith and many more black female millionaires in society today. Mary Ellen deserves more recognition. It started with her!

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This man is truly the definition of unsung. This right here is Bayard Rustin while politics were always involved in his life, and having friends such WeB Dubois, he himself was indeed a political activist. Overall the key significance to Bayard Rustin is the overall fact is that he may have coached many black political leaders such MLK and others especially since he was the one that organized the March on Washington in 1963.

When you see and ask well what did he actually do. Yes he did organize the March on Washington, but if you look at people he mentored IE MLK! That is significant enough. Where would King have gotten his start to make the change he made. Where did King get the inspection and motivation from. It is clear who it came from now it was Bayard Rustin.

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William H Carney should be known as a hero and an Icon. Formerly enslaved, Carney was always a fighter and was fighting from early ages. As time progressed he and other slaves found the Underground Railroad and found freedom through there, he wanted to become a minister of a church but he heard more black men were joining to fight in the civil war. That was right up his alley.

Once joined he fought in the 1863 Battle of Fort Wagner. He at that time was promoted to Sergeant and earned a Medal of Honor. He committed many brave actions during the war. Let’s keep in mind that Carney was also enslaved and escaped through the railroad. Now this decision led him to earning one of the biggest rewards of all time.

A former slave joining the armed forces as an escapee? Yup it happened. Believe it or not he became a sergeant as well. This was not only key to cultures and politics but it shows the value that someone at that time had in Carney to not only let him led the troops into the battle of Fort Wagner but as well as winning the Medal of Honor. He was once not liked because of his race. Then becomes loved by his troops due to his actions.

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Elizabeth Freeman was born in 1744 and died in 1829. However she made a triumphant impact in society. She filed for her freedom against slavery and cited the documents statements of freedoms. She won her case! She became the first woman to file a lawsuit and successfully win her right to freedom in the state of Massachusetts. It became a groundbreaking moment for not only women but the state of Massachusetts as well as it would eventually lead to the state outlawing slavery in general.

This is such a key defining moment in US history. Elizabeth Freeman became a polarizing figure at this time and point. Yes it may have not been winning an election or saying a speech, but she is part of the reason why slavery doesn’t exist in Massachusetts. That’s a key crucial moment in change for not only society but the culture in our nation!

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Benjamin Banneker was a man of many abilities. Born between 2 between 1731-1806. He did numerous of things such as write six consecutive almanacs and research astrology. His impact in society came with one Thomas Jefferson.

In 1731 Banneker was considered a respected Virginian and Jefferson was Secretary of State in Virginia. He quickly saw how slaves were treated and wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson describing how the talk about liberty was false and how his society needed to change their false perception and views of them. He describes that he is also of African descent in the letter. He mentions that he may be judged for writing the letter however he mentions how hypocritical Jefferson would be if he did judge him since they fought for independence against the British. Banneker was able to publish this letter and Jefferson response to this letter in an Almanac posted in 1793. The posting of this letter earned Banneker ampuls loads of praise from other society members.

If you look at the significance of this letter you can see that a man of color had a voice. He outspoken the issue he saw in society and it got him very far. He was published as an African American male in society though a slave owner he mentioned how he was freed and how others should be free to and experience what he had. Banneker role in this time frame should highly be considered.

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Rebecca Lee Crumpler history is substantial in the United States. No she didn’t give a Speech, she didn’t take a March. Her history was done with and Educational purpose. She was the first Black female student in the US to earn a medical degree. Given the time frame our Society was in she battled much judgement and questioning about why she was in the field of medicine.

Lee was born February 8, 1831 and she died March 9, 1895. She moved to Massachusetts in 1850 to begin her medical career. Attending an institution called New England Female Medical college she graduated in 1864 which officially made her the first African American female doctor. The title of the degree was called “doctress of medicine”. Her first real work came after the civil war as she was placed in Richmond Virginia. which she took the care of many people freed people.

This was not only significant for the US but the overall African American Race. Look how she paved the way for numerous women in the medical profession. She took her stance as a woman and it clearly goes to show. Her motivation was I’m not going to be defeated. She fought adversity, and triumphed against all odds.