Explore every episode of the podcast Milestones in African American History

Marvin Gaye was an award winning singer and songwriter, he was an inspiration for artists like Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, and Luther Vandross. Spoken by CJ Jackson.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black woman to be a supreme court justice. Spoken by Andrea Quinones.

M'Lis Ward was the first African American female captain in commercial passenger aviation. Spoken by Andrea Quinones.

Bobby Seale co-founded the Black Panther Party. He is a world renowned author aswell. Spoken by Andrea Quinones.

Huey P. Newton was one of the co-founders of the Black Panther Party. He also created the 10 Point Manifesto with Bobby Seale. Spoken by Josh Yuhas.

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot license. Spoken by Ryan Putzu.

Harriet Tubman is regarded as the "Mozes of her people." She helped significantly with the abolishment of slavery, helping free slaves and working as a spy during the Civil War. Spoken by Shir Hami.

Dick Gregory was a African American comedian, actor, and writer. He was also an activist who protested against the Vietnam War. Spoken by Karla Ritter.

Michael Jackson, is known as the King of Pop and best entertainer of all time. He achieved and broke records in the music industry, and donated profoundly to charities, which makes him known for his humanitarian efforts too. Spoken by Lathan "Laytin" Gil.

Nikki Giovanni was one of the most foremost actors of the Black Arts Movement. Spoken by Cassie Vaz.

Quincy Jones was a world famous music producer and conductor. Most known for his work with Michael Jackson, and for films like "The Color Purple." Spoken by Aidan Magee.

Spike Lee is a world renound filmmaker and actor, with most of his projects having to do with race and issues within the Black Community. Spoken by Ellis Foreman.

Harry Belafonte popularized Calypso music with international audiences. He was also a confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. Spoken by Guy Varela.

Sydney Potier was the first African American to be nominated for Best Actor. Spoken by Annmarie Ehlers.

Sammy Davis Jr. would star in musicals, films, and have his own iconic discography of music. He helped break down the barrier of the segregated entertainment industry. Spoken by Jaden Foreman.

Cab Callaway was one of the most popular vocalists during the "swing era." And he became the first African American to have a nationally syndicated radio program. Spoken by Nolan McCafferey

Zora Neale Hurston wrote about contemporary issues in the Black community, and was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Spoken by Dan Loges.

A Philip Randolph was the head of the march in 1963 where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. Spoken by Bella Soto.

Mahalia Jackson was a world famous gospel singer. She became the first gospel artist to tour Europe. Spoken by Alli Burton.

Madame CJ Walker was the first African American self made millionaire. She made her fortune by creating cosmetic and hair care products for black women. Spoken by Kadie Digiueseppe.

Booker T. Washington was one of the first slaves to give a first hand account as to how life was like. He also became the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Spoken by Rosalyn Tiangco.

Alice Walker was the writer of The Color Purple, and she is a world famous author. Spoken by Jon Coiro.

W. E. B Du Bois was the first African American to earn a doctorate, and he was one of the founders of the NAACP. Spoken by Jake Goebel.

Maya Angelou is a world renound activist, speaker, and poet! Spoken by Mary Simone Collazo.

Ida B. Wells was one of the founders of the NAACP. She documented accounts of lynchings, segregation, and inequality across America. Spoken by Stacie Hueter.

Langston Hughes was an American poet, Social Activist, Novelist and Playwright. He was one of the starters of the Harlem Renaissance. Spoken by Grace Juarez.

Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery and would go onto write autobiographies about his life, for the first time nationally detailing how slavery was from first hand experience. Read by Lindsay Scarola.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was the founder of the UNIA, and his ideals would go onto be known as Garveyism. Read by Lathan Gil.

Amelia Boynton Robinson was the first African American woman in the state of Alabama to run for Congress inspiring African Americans everywhere while pushing the boundaries in the world of politics. Read by Marissa Spencer.

The first African American to win an Academy Award for best actor, Sidney Poitier will always be remembered for his acting, directorial work and trailblazing for black artists. Voiced by Ellis Foreman

The first African American to serve in either house of the U.S. Congress, Hiram Revels remained steadfast in his pursuit of excellence and opportunity for all African Americans. Voiced by Ellis Foreman.

Eunice Hunton Carter was the first African American prosecutor in Manhattan and out away one of the most notorious mob bosses in the world. Read by Olivia Parker.

Max Robinson was the first African American news anchor and two-time Emmy-winning documentary director.

Read by Ben Shinault.

Mary Ellen Pleasant was the first black millionaire in the United States. Read by Jaden Foreman

George Biddle Kelley was the first registered African American engineer in the state of New York, and is a Jewel of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Read by Owen Mccarron.

Dr. Charles R. Drew saved countless lives with his invention of preserving blood and plasma, also known as the Blood Bank. Read by Jaden Foreman.

Marie Van Brittan Brown is the inventor of the home security system, specifically CCTV. Read by Jaden Foreman.

Jane Bolin was an outstanding attorney and the first African American female judge in the United States.

Read by Jaden Foreman.

Rube Foster was the founder and manager of the Chicago American Giants and organizer of the Negro National League baseball. Read by Jaden Foreman.

Ralph Bunch was the first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Read by Lindsay Scarola.

Maria P. Williams was the first black female film producer dating all the way back to the silent film era.

Read by Emily O'Connor.

Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the first African American female lawyer in Philadelphia and the first National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Read by Owen Nelson.

Cab Calloway remains the blueprint for every entertainer that wishes to perform on stage. Read by Iso Rampulla.

Gerald Wilson was one of the most famed jazz musicians and played with every great early icon in the world of music.

Read by Allison Burton.

Josh Gibson was "the black babe ruth" and one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Read by Matthew Brown.

Herbert Hubbard was the first African American to graduate from Rider University. Read by Jordan Hirsh.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American to run for President of the United States. Read by Rosalyn Tiangco.

Gordon Parks is the director of Shaft and one of the most influential photographers of all time. Read by RJ Seib.

One of the greatest engineers in history, Lewis Howard Latimer worked with many great inventors to improve the world technologically. Read by Jack Jock.

Accomplished poet, musician, and bluesologist Gil Scott-Heron's words were a calling for all people to speak up and make their voices heard in the way they know how. Voiced by Vivian Uricoechea.