Patricia Roberts Harris (1924-1985) educated at bothHoward and George Washington Universities, built an illustrious civil service career. She held many distinguished positions over the years, including alternate United Nations delegate and ambassador to Luxembourg, and earned the distinction of being the first female African American cabinet member serving as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Harris devoted her life to serving her country and her people. Her spirit is carried on by today's civil servants who continue a high level of dedication, supporting society in a wide variety of roles.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906) was the son of former slaves. This poet and writer attended public schools,worked as an elevator operator, and spent most of his life in Dayton, Ohio. He paid to publish his first book of poems, "Oak and Ivory" (1893), but his second book, "Majors and Minors" (1895), gained him the enthusiastic support of William Dean Howells, who wrote a preface to his third volume, "Lyrics of Lowly Life" (1896). This led to a public eager for his readings and lectures, which even took him to England. He continued to publish various collections of poetry short stories, and novels, and was widely recognized as one of the first African Americans to convert the experiences of their people into forms appreciated by the white majority.

Robert S. Abbott

Robert S. Abbott fought a long battle to establish the Chicago "Defender "As a journalist his commitment to succeed with the city's only "Black" newspaper was so strong that he personally sold the first editions door to door. "The Defender" and its editor outspokenly demanded equal rights, the ballot, and an end to Klan terrorism. By the 1930's, Abbott had moderated "The Defender's" muckraking tone by adding personal, cultural and fashion news. He would be proud today of the contributions writers, editors, and publishers have made toward Black issues.

Robert Abbott died of Bright's disease on February 29, 1940. By then he was the father of three newspapers: The Chicago Defender, The Louisville Defender, and The Michigan Chronicle in Detroit. He did not have any children, so he left his business with his nephew John H. Sengstacke. Robert was a true pioneer in the black community. He did many things with his newspaper, paving the way for more blacks to be successful. He was truly a great American entrepreneur and an inspiration for anybody of any race to start their own business or follow their dreams.

Benjamin W. Arnett

Benjamin W. Arnett (1836-1906) was a Republican representative from Greene County who served in the Ohio House of Representatives during the 67th session (1886-1887) of the General Assembly. Arnett was a Bishop in the A.M.E. Church, President of Wilberforce University and wrote legislation for repeal of Ohio's "Black Laws". In 1886, Arnett introduced legislation to repeal the state's "Black Laws" which limited the freedom and rights of American American residents. Arnett was particularly concerned that state law did not ensure that black children had the same educational opportunities as white children. In 1887, statues regarding education were changed; the state was thereafter required to provide equal opportunities to all children regardless of race.