Every February, I see teachers searching for meaningful Black History Month activities that go beyond the same coloring pages, timelines, and biography reports. We want our middle school and high school students to connect with real people whose stories spark curiosity and lead to meaningful conversations. One of my favorite ways to make that happen is through student research because every biography tells a story of perseverance, leadership, creativity, or innovation. When our students discover someone whose experiences or career interests match their own, Black History Month becomes much more than another classroom assignment.
Why I Believe Black History Month Matters
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to intentionally make space for stories that deserve to be shared. While many of our students recognize a few well-known names, they are often surprised to learn just how many Black Americans have shaped literature, science, business, government, sports, music, and countless other fields. Those discoveries help our students see that history is made by people from every background who have made the decision to make a difference.
I've found that research projects create some of the best classroom conversations. You might have a student who loves basketball and becomes fascinated by an athlete's determination. Another one of your students who enjoys writing may discover an author whose books inspire a lifelong love of reading. Giving your students choices helps them find someone whose story genuinely interests them.
That's why biography research remains one of my favorite Black History Month activities for middle school and high school. Our students practice research and reading skills while learning about people whose accomplishments continue to influence our world today. By the end of the month, your class will have explored dozens of remarkable lives and shared those discoveries with one another.
Civil Rights Leaders and Activists to Research During Black History Month
When many of us think about Black History Month, civil rights leaders are often the first individuals who come to mind. Their courage and determination changed our country, but each one of them contributed in a unique way. Some organized peaceful protests. Others challenged unfair laws in court. Many devoted their lives to creating opportunities for future generations.
These biographies also help our students understand that lasting change rarely happens because of one person alone. Every movement is built by individuals who use their voices, talents, and leadership in different ways.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement through nonviolent protest and powerful speeches that called for equality and justice. His leadership helped inspire major civil rights legislation. His legacy continues to encourage people around the world to stand up for fairness and compassion.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her courage helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and inspired countless others to challenge racial injustice.
John Lewis
John Lewis was a civil rights activist who organized sit-ins, participated in the Freedom Rides, and helped lead the historic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. He later served more than three decades in Congress. During that time, he continued advocating for voting rights and equality.
Claudette Colvin
At just fifteen years old, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus months before Rosa Parks did. Although her story is less widely known, her bravery played an important role in the fight to end bus segregation.
Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer, author, and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Through his work, he has fought for criminal justice reform and helped bring national attention to issues of racial inequality and wrongful convictions.
Athletes to Research During Black History Month
Sports have the power to bring people together, but they have also been a platform for breaking barriers and inspiring change. Many Black athletes have overcome challenges both on and off the field while leaving a lasting impact on their sport. Their stories show our students that success is built through hard work, determination, and the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
Jackie Robinson
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Jackie Robinson became the first Black player in Major League Baseball's modern era when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. His courage and perseverance helped break baseball's color barrier and opened doors for future generations of athletes.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph overcame childhood illnesses, including polio, to become one of the fastest women in the world. She won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles during her remarkable career. She has inspired millions through her athletic achievements, as well as her advocacy for women and equal opportunities in sports.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, earning numerous Olympic and World Championship medals. Along with her incredible accomplishments, she has encouraged important conversations about mental health and the well-being of athletes.
LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the most accomplished basketball players in NBA history. He has earned multiple championships and MVP awards throughout his career. Beyond basketball, he founded the I PROMISE School and continues to support education and opportunities for children in his community.
Writers, Poets, and Journalists to Research During Black History Month
Books, poems, essays, and newspaper articles have helped shape history just as much as speeches and laws. Black writers and journalists have documented important events, challenged injustice, celebrated culture, and shared stories that continue to influence readers today. Their work gives our students the opportunity to explore history through powerful words and personal experiences.
Maya Angelou
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Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist best known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She published numerous books and poems throughout her career. This led her to become one of the most influential literary voices of the twentieth century.
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison was a novelist and editor whose books explored the Black experience in America through storytelling and unforgettable characters. She received both the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first Black woman to earn the Nobel Prize in Literature.
James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an essayist, novelist, and playwright whose writing examined race, identity, and social justice in America. His books and essays remain widely studied for their analysis of American society and culture.
Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman is a poet and activist who gained international recognition after reading her poem The Hill We Climb at the 2021 presidential inauguration. She is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and continues to write about leadership, identity, and hope.
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, newspaper editor, and civil rights activist who exposed the horrors of lynching through her reporting. She also helped found organizations that advocated for civil rights and women's suffrage.
Scientists, Inventors, and Innovators
Some of the world's most important discoveries and inventions came from Black scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and inventors. Their work has improved agriculture, advanced space exploration, strengthened technology, and even influenced the devices many of us use every day.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations helped NASA safely send astronauts into space and return them to Earth. Her work supported the Mercury and Apollo missions and remained essential during the early years of the U.S. space program.
Mae Jemison
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Mae Jemison became the first Black woman to travel into space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Before joining NASA, she worked as a physician and later founded organizations that support science education and technology.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist who developed hundreds of products using crops such as peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. He also promoted farming methods that improved soil health, and he helped farmers grow crops more sustainably.
Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson is an engineer and inventor who holds more than 100 patents. He is best known for inventing the Super Soaker water toy. He has also developed technologies related to energy production and space exploration.
Gladys West
Gladys West is a mathematician whose work processing satellite data contributed to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her mathematical models helped improve the accuracy of satellite mapping, making modern navigation systems possible.
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Innovation isn't limited to laboratories or government offices. Many Black entrepreneurs have built successful businesses, created products, and opened doors for future generations of business owners. From beauty products to technology and fashion, these business leaders turned ideas into companies that continue to make an impact today.
Madame C. J. Walker
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Madam C. J. Walker built a successful hair care company that created products specifically for Black women. She became one of the first self-made female millionaires in the United States. While doing so, she was also supporting education, charitable organizations, and civil rights causes.
Reginald F. Lewis
Reginald F. Lewis was a lawyer and businessman who became the first Black American to build a billion-dollar company. His acquisition of Beatrice International Foods made history and demonstrated the growing influence of Black entrepreneurs in corporate America.
Daymond John
Daymond John founded the clothing brand FUBU. It grew from a small startup into an internationally recognized fashion company. He is also an investor on the television show Shark Tank, where he mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.
Tristan Walker
Tristan Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker & Company Brands. This is a company that develops health and beauty products designed for people of color. His work has helped address gaps in the consumer products industry while expanding representation in business and technology.
Lisa Price
Lisa Price founded Carol's Daughter after creating natural hair and skincare products in her Brooklyn kitchen. Her company grew into a nationally recognized beauty brand and helped pave the way for other entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.
Politicians, Judges, and Government Leaders
Throughout American history, Black leaders have helped shape our government through public service, the courts, and elected office. They have written laws, argued landmark court cases, and made decisions that continue to influence the country today.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968. In 1972, she made history again as the first Black candidate to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party.
Thurgood Marshall
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Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer who successfully argued Brown v. Board of Education before the United States Supreme Court, helping end racial segregation in public schools. He later became the first Black Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama became the first Black President of the United States when he was elected in 2008. During his two terms in office, his administration focused on issues including healthcare reform, economic recovery, and international diplomacy.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States. Before serving as vice president, she was a district attorney, California attorney general, and United States senator.
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court in 2022. Before joining the Court, she served as a federal public defender, district court judge, and judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Artists, Musicians, and Performers to Research During Black History Month
Music, dance, theater, and film have helped shape culture for generations. Artists have introduced new styles of music. They've broken barriers in the performing arts and created works that continue to influence audiences around the world.
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Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer who helped popularize jazz around the world. His innovative style influenced generations of musicians and earned him recognition as one of the most important figures in jazz history.
Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a singer, pianist, and songwriter known for blending jazz, blues, gospel, and classical music. Many of her songs also became powerful anthems of the Civil Rights Movement.
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland became the first Black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015. Her accomplishments challenged long-standing barriers in professional ballet and brought greater attention to diversity in the dance world.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis is an award-winning actress known for her work in film, television, and theater. She is one of the few performers to achieve EGOT status, earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award during her career.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé is a singer, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman whose music has earned dozens of Grammy Awards. She has also made significant contributions to film, fashion, and philanthropy.
Educators and Trailblazers
Some people change history by teaching others, opening doors, and creating opportunities that last for generations. Black educators and trailblazers have founded schools, advanced research, and challenged ideas about education and equality.
Carter G. Woodson
Carter G. Woodson was a historian, author, and educator often called the "Father of Black History." He founded Negro History Week in 1926. This later grew into the Black History Month we celebrate today.
Mary McLeod Bethune
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Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator who founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls. Later on, it became Bethune-Cookman University. She also advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt on issues affecting Black Americans and education.
W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois was a sociologist, historian, author, and civil rights leader whose research challenged racial inequality in the United States. He was also one of the founding members of the NAACP and published numerous books and scholarly works.
Marva Collins
Marva Collins was an educator who founded the Westside Preparatory School in Chicago to provide a rigorous education for students who had struggled in traditional classrooms. Her teaching methods gained national attention and influenced educators across the country.
Bettina Love
Bettina Love is an author, professor, and educational researcher whose work focuses on equity, culturally responsive teaching, and educational justice. Her books and research encourage creating classrooms where every student feels valued and supported.
Help Make Research Approachable With This Black History Month Graphic Organizer
After your students choose someone to research, it's helpful to give everyone the same framework for organizing their learning. Whether your students select a different person or you assign individuals by category, a research page keeps your students focused on the most important information. It also makes it easy for your students to share what they've learned with classmates.
One of my favorite ways to use the completed spotlight pages is to create a classroom gallery walk. Display each of your students' finished pages around the room. Give your students time to read about several different historical figures. If you have time, you can also have them share their research with the class individually or with their partner, if they have one. By the end of the activities, your students won't just know the person they researched. They'll leave with an understanding of the individuals who have shaped Black history.
Make Black History Month Meaningful for Your Students
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to introduce our students to people whose ideas, talents, and leadership helped shape the world we live in today. By exploring a variety of careers and accomplishments, our students begin to see that history isn't made by just a few well-known individuals. It's built by countless people who chose to make a difference in their own unique ways.
Every biography offers a chance to build historical understanding while strengthening research and critical thinking skills. I hope these Black History Month activities help your middle school or high school students discover new role models, ask thoughtful questions, and leave February with a deeper appreciation for the many contributions Black Americans have made throughout history.
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