From Baseball to Biology: The First African-Americans in Every Field

True pioneers.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Pioneers are people who, through courage and determination, blaze trails en route to becoming the very first to accomplish a feat. This could be joining an organization or establishing a new way of thinking. Due to ignorance and fear, African-Americans were held back for decades, but not even the efforts of the small-minded could prevent them from earning places in history. This is a look at African-Americans who were first in their fields and whose accomplishments need to be recognized year-round, not just during the shortest month of the year. African-American history is American history, and the efforts of black innovators deserve to be recalled regularly, not just archived. African-Americans are responsible for a number of landmark developments. These are the first African-Americans in fields ranging from the sports to the sciences.

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First African-American Major League Baseball Player

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First African-American Officer in Marine Corps

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First African-American Licensed to Practice Law in the U.S.

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First African-American Mayor

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First African-American FBI Special Agent

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First African-American Member of U.S. Marine Corps

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First African-American to Play in the NHL

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First African-American Astronaut

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First African-American Secretary of State

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First African-American Marine Corps Aviator and General

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First African-American Supreme Court Justice

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First African-American Marine Corps Drill Instructor

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First African-American to Earn Ph.D.

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First African-American Senator

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First African-American to Play in the NBA

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First African-Americans to Play in the NFL

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First African-American Sportscaster

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First African-American Television Journalist

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First African-American Cardiologist

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