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Trailblazers

The legacy of civil rights leaders continues today. Learn about the contributions of activists in the Civil Rights Movement, black power and race relations as a whole.
Whitney Young Biography
Whitney Young Jr. was arguably the National Urban League’s most influential executive director. During the decade he served as head of the civil rights organization, Young increased its budget 18-fold, pushed corporate America to provide more jobs for African Americans and swayed dignitaries to use federal funding to benefit inner cities. Learn more about Whitney Young.
Profile of Activist Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin may not be a household name like Martin Luther King Jr. is, but his work proved crucial in civil rights. He helped organize the March on Washington and other key events in black history. Today, Rustin is not only celebrated for being an African-American pioneer but as an “out” gay man in a time when homosexuality was widely shunned. Explore the highlights of Rustin’s notable life.
Cesar Chavez, Latino Champion of Farm Workers
Cesar Chavez’s lasting legacy is his advocacy for beleaguered farm workers. Explore how he helped one of America’s most vulnerable groups gain access to civil rights. Discover the turning points in Chavez’s life, including his many accomplishments. The impact of Chavez’s work can still be felt today.
Biography of Fannie Lou Hamer, Civil Rights Leader
With the exception of Rosa Parks, the contributions of women in the Civil Rights Movement are often overlooked. Mississippian Fannie Lou Hamer, however, is a woman who left an indelible mark on voting rights. Learn about Hamer’s accomplishments and the role she played in American history.
The Life of Legendary Poet Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes may have been a poet, but that’s not all he was. Long after the Harlem Renaissance, his portrayals of African American life and analysis of race relations are remembered. Discover how art can serve as a tool for progress by learning about the legendary life of Langston Hughes.
Profile of Underground Railroad Conductor Harriet Tubman
Nicknamed “Moses” for leading African Americans out of bondage, Harriet Tubman emerged as a key figure in the anti-slavery movement. Her contributions to abolition match those of notables such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. Learn about the challenges she faced as the leader of the Underground Railroad.

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