Everyone grows up with MLK on their hearts. From every MLK Blvd you walk by in hoods across the country to all the walls with portraits of King hung up

in your "mama & nems" homes, Dr. King was probably the Black leader who had the most impact on us growing up in America.

As the most prominent leader in

the civil rights movement, his non-violent and civil disobedient stances that he stood firm on were what made him who he was. His christian-based beliefs are also what ultimately won

him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Unfortunately, King’s assassination a few years later, would be a real blow to the Black community. Like snatch-your-heart-out-of-your-chest-type blow. Nonetheless, his courageous fight

against racial inequality would be celebrated by us for more than just one day out the year.

Malcolm X was very powerful. So powerful, in fact, that he got a bad rep for being a race separatist and promoting Black supremacy. But to the people, Malcolm X

was a man who loved Black folk above all. That’s what most outsiders failed to see. He encouraged us all to defend ourselves against police brutality. His words, vision, and

empowerment to the masses let us know he loved us, and we loved him, too.

He was assassinated in 1965. His death was another uppercut to the Black community that

we will never recover from.

Marcus Garvey was known for being a Black nationalist and a leader of the massive Pan-Africanism movement. His message of uniting and encouraging everyone of African ancestry to claim the

nations of Africa, in addition to his words of economic empowerment, inspired a large following, despite the (mostly white) public shaming him for his beliefs of racial segregation.

Unfortunately, Garvey’s

deportation back to Jamaica after serving a sentence for mail fraud, was what ultimately dwindled the momentum of his impactful movement.

Ida B. Wells was known for her anti-lynching campaign, in which her pamphlet, Southern Horrors, was birthed. Her journalist background would be beyond helpful as she kicked off a thorough

investigation of lynching. Her legwork led to a mob of unhappy whites who threatened her life due to her being so vocal on the hanging of Black folk. But ya’ll

know that didn’t stop Wells!

She would go on to tour overseas to further her anti-lynching campaign, in addition to working for other causes, such as the women’s rights movement.

She also helped to establish the NACW (National Association of Colored Women) and the NAACP (Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

Nelson Mandela was a political leader who rallied against apartheid in South Africa for the majority of his life. He began his crusade for black people in his youth as

a member of the African National Congress, where he led both peaceful protests and armed resistance against the apartheid regime.

Like most leaders, his fight for the people would ultimately

end with him being locked up for a few decades. Talk about commitment.

 When Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he was very much so involved in negotiations to

end apartheid. Four years later and his hard work and devotion paid off. He would be elected as South Africa’s first Black president. Major win for blacks!

Bayard Rustin often gets pushed to the side when we talk about the civil rights movement and all who were vital in the advancements made, but don’t get it twisted!

He was an outspoken and important leader in the movement. He was a major strategist for the civil rights movement, and he even organized the March on Washington.

He was

also very vocal about the economic problems that plagued working class and unemployed Blacks. Unfortunately, Rustin wasn’t given the proper credit that was due because people were too concerned about

who he chose to love. So, now we’re giving props where props have been due. 

Fannie Lou Hamer was a voting rights activist in Mississippi whose charisma and passion ignited crowds. Her litness was contagious, let’s just say that.

 She became known for singing Negro

spirituals as she traveled with other activists to hit up voting polls to register to vote (which was a huge deal back in the day).

Registering to vote could

get you jumped by salty whites, fired from your job, or even killed. Fannie Lou’s singing encouraged everyone as they stood up for themselves and every other Black person in

the midst of hate and ugliness.

Fannie Lou ran for Congress in 1964 and 1965, but although she took the L both of those years, she def took the

W for Black folks all over by dedicating her time and energy towards achieving equality in all aspects of society.

If the name Stokely Carmichael doesn’t ring a bell, then we’re going to need for you to YouTube some of his speeches ASAP. Stokely had the fire to fuel a

crowd of young blacks back in the day, and his spark still holds the same flame.

While he was still a student at Howard, he participated in the Freedom Rides.

A few years later, Stokely became an organizer for SNCC in Mississippi. Eventually, Stokely became a prominent figure in the Black Power movement, encouraging black folks to unite under one

heritage, a sense of pride, and to organize themselves in their own communities.

His stance and black pride beliefs would eventually lead him to be gifted with an honorary membership

to the Black Panther Party. Hats off to you, Stokely!

Fred Hampton was a lover of the people and that’s #facts. At the age of 20, Fred Hampton joined the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party and quickly rose

to the chairman title due to his gift of gab, charisma, and ability to bring all types of people together.

Most significantly, Fred was able to create a nonaggression pact

between Chicago’s most powerful gangs. #IssaMiracle y’all!

He also formed a “class-conscious multi-racial alliance” between the Black Panther Party, the Young Lords, and the Young Patriots Organization. Fred Hampton was

the goat for his accomplishments, and although the people loved him and saw him as a revolutionary, the police and the FBI saw him as a threat.

Reportedly, the Chicago

Police and the FBI conspired the murder of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark on December 4, 1969. After infiltrating the Panthers by way of a FBI informant, 5-0 raided Fred’s

home and gunned him and Mark Clark down. Later, Chicago PD’s messy raid was found to be a part of the FBI’s illegal counter intelligence program infamously known as COINTELPRO. 

Last on our list, is the one and only Barack Obama. From his inauguration in 2009 to his 8-year presidency, Obama evoked emotion and enthusiasm out of the people by

way of his dazzling appeal and popularity amongst all types of folk.

His achievements range from providing healthcare for millions of Americans who weren’t insured before to being the first

president to call for the equality of gay Americans.

Although he is no longer in the White House, he will always be #OurPresident.