This famous Black History figures list for kids is perfect for helping students explore the lives and achievements of leaders who’ve shaped history in many important ways. Download a free printable for your classroom!
Helping students research influential Black leaders during Black History Month gives them a broader understanding of what it means to make an impact.
Too often, students hear about the same few names, but there’s so much more to explore—leaders who’ve changed the world through science, literature, politics, and beyond.
In my classroom, one of the most powerful exercises I’ve done was asking students to make a list of influential Black leaders.
Most wrote down athletes or celebrities.
While those figures are definitely important, I realized my students were overlooking so many other incredible leaders in different areas.
That’s when I decided to create a more well-rounded list to help them see the bigger picture and understand the wide range of contributions Black leaders have made.
This post includes a list of Black leaders for elementary students to help them broaden their understanding of Black history.
From trailblazing scientists to civil rights activists, this list provides figures your students can research, write about, or celebrate throughout February.
There’s even a free printable to make planning easier!
Why Does a Black History Figures List for Kids Matter?
It’s important for kids to see the many ways Black men and women have shaped history, whether through groundbreaking inventions, fighting for justice, or expressing creativity through the arts.
I want my students to see Black leaders not just as historical figures but as people who’ve changed the world through their courage, determination, and ideas.
When students are exposed to a wide range of influential black leaders to study, they start to understand the depth and diversity of contributions made throughout history.
Famous Black History Figures for Elementary Kids
Science and Innovation
Show your students how these trailblazers changed the world through discovery:
- George Washington Carver – Revolutionized agriculture with peanut-based innovations.
- Mae Jemison – First Black woman in space and a STEM icon.
- Katherine Johnson – NASA mathematician who played a key role in space exploration.
- Dr. Charles Drew – Created the modern blood bank system.
- Marie Maynard Daly – First Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Government and Leadership
Highlight individuals who broke barriers and led with courage:
- Barack Obama – First Black president of the United States.
- Shirley Chisholm – First Black woman elected to Congress.
- Frederick Douglass – Abolitionist and statesman who reshaped America’s fight for freedom.
- Kamala Harris – First Black and South Asian woman vice president.
- John Lewis – Civil rights leader and congressman who fought for voting rights.
Civil Rights and Social Activism
Introduce students to the leaders who fought for justice and equality:
- Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil Rights Movement leader and advocate of nonviolence.
- Rosa Parks – Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott with her courageous stand.
- Harriet Tubman – Rescued hundreds through the Underground Railroad.
- Ida B. Wells – Journalist and anti-lynching activist.
- Ella Baker – Mentored young activists and organized grassroots movements.
Literature and Arts
Celebrate the creativity and vision of these cultural icons:
- Maya Angelou – Poet and author whose works explore race and resilience.
- Langston Hughes – Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright.
- Toni Morrison – Nobel Prize-winning author of Beloved.
- Zora Neale Hurston – Anthropologist and author of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Jean-Michel Basquiat – Artist who brought street art into the gallery world.
Athletes
Inspire students with stories of perseverance in sports:
- Jackie Robinson – First Black player in Major League Baseball.
- Wilma Rudolph – Overcame polio to win three Olympic gold medals.
- Muhammad Ali – Boxing legend and activist.
- Simone Biles – Record-breaking gymnast and advocate for mental health.
- Michael Jordan – Basketball icon and philanthropist.
How to Use The Black Figures List in Your Classroom
Classroom Discussions
Start Black History Month with a class discussion on why learning about different black leaders and their achievements is important. Use the printable list to help students choose a figure to research.
Black History Month Research Project
Have students research their chosen figure and write bio poems using a bio poem template for guidance. This project is an alternative to traditional essay projects for students to summarize their research while building their writing skills.
Black History Month Bulletin Board Displays
Turn their research into a classroom display by creating a Black History Month bulletin board. Pair their writing with drawings or photos for a colorful display.
Grab the Black History Figures List for Kids
Celebrating Black History Month in elementary school is an opportunity to inspire students with the stories of those who paved the way for change.
Introducing them to different famous Black History figures gives them the chance to explore stories that highlight resilience, innovation, and leadership.
Download the free printable list today to simplify your planning and make your Black History Month lessons impactful.
Save this post to your Pinterest board so you can return to it for ideas anytime you’re preparing for Black History Month!
