(ThyBlackMan.com) Here’s to the strong African American voices that changed the course of history. From those who took a brave and dedicated stance against slavery to our first African American president, the following names are some of the influential African Americans in U.S. history. Because of these individuals, all Americans were changed and a true difference was made in the world.
Martin Luther King Jr.
MLK Jr. is most famous for his powerful “I Have a Dream” speech. From the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968 he was a civil rights activist and “charismatic leader of the civil rights movement and Baptist minister who campaigned against segregation and for justice,” reports Raab Collection (coincidentally the best place to buy and sell letters from historical figures and signed documents). 
Post-death he was honored with a national holiday, public building commemorations, and many schools named for him, as well as many memorials. MLK Jr. will always be remembered.
Frederick Douglass
Douglass, a well-known African American who fought bravely for slavery to be abolished, is a prominent figure in history. In 1843, he spent six months touring the country for the “Hundred Conventions,” and then in 1848 he fought for the right to vote for women. Douglass was a former slave, but he was also the first African American citizen to hold a high U.S. government rank.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is best known for the Underground Railroad. She was a strong-willed woman who put her life at risk to help others gain freedom from slavery. For the U.S. Army, she worked as a general cook, nurse, and cleaner. She was hired as a spy and in 1862 she went to South Carolina to help slaves gain their freedom. She was amazing, strong, and caring. She lived a full life and died at the age of 93 as a free woman.
Rosa Parks
Rosa is best known for not moving to the back of the bus. In the early 1900s, the south was segregated. There was designated seating on buses (African Americans were forced to sit in the back so whites could have priority seating up front). When buses became too full, African-Americans were asked to step off the bus or they were made to stand. Brave Rosa made the choice to take a stand (actually, a seat) against this terrible discrimination on December 1, 1955. She would not move from her seat. She would not go to the back of the bus, and this prompted nationwide discussions on the subject of segregation.
So many brave African Americans have fought against rampant injustice in this world. Their voices are the reason today’s youth can demand equality. They saw the injustice and they were motivated to speak out. Because of their dedication to making the world a better place, the world can continue to grow in equality. They made a difference, and are an inspiration to freedom fighters the world over.
Staff Writer; Sam Brown