There are heroes throughout history that can’t help but be recognized, like the most influential black people in American history. Just as there are events throughout history that particularly stand out, like the 11 Most Famous Court Cases in America. But whether people or events, we can’t deny that they contributed vastly to what America is today.
We calculated the most influential blacks by compiling a list of those most mentioned on similar black leader lists found on United States History, About Education and Biography Online. Then, we put together a points system. Four points were awarded for being a famous leader or president, 4 for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, 4 for being a famous educator, speaker or comedian, and 4 if they were extremely well-known, or found in most American history books. Since blacks throughout American history have also invented a variety of important items, we also gave 4 points for being a famous inventor. Then 1 point for a famous actor or singer, 1 point if involved in a war or movement (like the Civil Rights Movement), 1 for being a famous writer and 1 for a famous athlete, with a points possible amount of 24.
Now it may scare you that Oprah Winfrey is ranked on the same level as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, but that’s just how things turned out. If you have any debates about it, leave them in the comments.
As a result of our findings, here’s what we determined to be the 10 most influential black people in American history. They span all the way back to America’s birth, and reach all the way into today’s time. They’re inventors, scientists, teachers, leaders, influencers.
10. Thurgood Marshall (1908 – 1993)
13 points
Marshall became the Supreme Courts 96th Justice as well as the first African-American Justice. He is most famous for winning Brown v. Board of Education, which dealt with racial segregation in public schools.
Glynnis Jones/Shutterstock.com
9. George Washington Carver (1860 – 1943)
13 points
This man, born into slavery, became a famous botanist, scientist, chemist, and inventor. He worked closely with Booker T. Washington, found later on in the list, and is best known for the countless uses he found for the peanut.
8. Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895)
14 points
Douglass was the first black man to hold any high ranking in the United States government. He was a strong abolitionist, writer and speaker, who advised presidents including Abraham Lincoln.
Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com
7. Malcolm X (1925 – 1965)
14 points
Civil Rights Leader alongside Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X also showed himself a prominent leader to the Islamic. He was assassinated in 1965 while preparing to give a speech in Manhattan.
6. Oprah Winfrey (1954 – Present) –
14 points
It shouldn’t be a surprise to you that Oprah made it in the list of 10 most influential black people in American history. She has her own TV show, her own books, her own magazine, and even her own prayer candle called Saint Winfrey.
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
5. Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
14 points
Not only did she lead more than 300 slaves to freedom as the “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, but she also became an acclaimed writer and helped blacks begin their new lives after the war.
Neftali / Shutterstock.com
4. Booker T. Washington (1856 – 1915)
15 points
Washington began the Tuskegee Institute, a school that would educate blacks for years to come. He was also an author and advisor to many American presidents.
3. The Obamas
17 points
This one’s no surprise either, but this includes both Barack and Michelle Obama (hey, throw in the kids too). There’s no denying that both have become extremely influential leaders within their country.
2. W.E.B. Du Bois (1868 – 1963)
18 points
This influential Civil Rights Activist had differing opinions from Martin Luther King Jr. as well as Booker T. Washington, but nonetheless served as an important leader with many followers.
Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com
1. Martin Luther King Jr (1929 – 1968)
18 points
Powerful speaker and leader during the Civil Rights Movement, King also wrote famous letters during his time in jail. From these comes the well-known quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Runners up? Black heroes like Sojourner Truth, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Michael Jackson, Colin Powell, Phyllis Wheatley and Nat Turner. Let’s give a shout out to the great leaders included in the 10 most influential black people in American history.
