Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery, he escaped to freedom in his early twenties and became a leading figure in the abolitionist movement,  advocating for the end of slavery and equal rights for all. He also worked as a journalist, publishing his own newspaper, and wrote several books, including his influential autobiography “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Throughout his life, Douglass continued to fight for civil rights and social justice, and his legacy as a powerful advocate for freedom and equality remain an inspiration to this day.

Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) was a Jamaican-born political activist and leader of the Pan-Africanism movement. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, which aimed to promote black pride and self-sufficiency, and advocated for the repatriation of black people to Africa. He believed in the importance of economic empowerment and encouraged black entrepreneurship and trade. Garvey’s message resonated with black people around the world, and the UNIA grew to become a global movement with millions of members. He was a controversial figure, however, and faced criticism for his
authoritarian leadership style and his support of black separatism. Garvey’s impact on the civil rights movement and black pride has been significant, and his legacy continues to inspire political and social movements around the world.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who became one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. He is best known for his
role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and his leadership of the March on Washington for
Jobs and Freedom in 1963, during which he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
King was a staunch advocate for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as a means of
achieving social and political change, and his leadership and vision helped to bring about
significant advances in the struggle for civil rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
1964 for his work in promoting nonviolent social change, but was tragically assassinated in 1968.
King’s legacy as a champion of civil rights and a proponent of social justice continues to
inspire people around the world to this day.