Historian, Writer, Collector, Activist

Puerto Rican born of African and German descent, Schomburg was a significant intellectual in the Harlem Renaissance, researching and raising awareness of the contributions of Afro-Latin and African Americans to society. His collected artworks and artifacts of Black history were acquired by the New York Public Library as the basis of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Singer, Songwriter, Civil Rights Activist

Simone enrolled in the Juilliard School with the aspiration of becoming a concert pianist. To earn a living, she performed in nightclubs as a jazz vocalist and pianist, going on to record over forty albums and earning the title of “the High Priestess of Soul.” Spanning genres such as jazz, classical, blues, gospel, and pop, Simone brought racial and social discourse into her music.

Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist

As a recipient of over fifty honorary degrees, Dr. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies detailing her personal life through early adulthood - most notably, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Dr. Angelou is credited with expanding the genre of autobiographical writing, focusing on themes of racism, identity, travel, and family. Dr. Angelou worked actively with MLK and Malcom X in the Civil Rights Movement, and is one of few poets to perform a presidential inauguration recitation.

Jazz Pianist, Composer, Civil Rights Activist

Monk is the second-most recorded jazz composer, renowned for his unique improvisational style and contribution to the development of bepop - a style of jazz characterized by a fast tempo, complex syncopation, and solo instrumental virtuosity. Monk is remembered for his fashion sense, an unorthodox technical approach to piano, and an idiosyncratic performance style, such as stopping to dance, mid-song. Monk utilized his career platform to advocate for change during the Civil Rights Movement.