Welcome to BlackPast 3.0

The wait is over—the new BlackPast.org is officially live! We’ve redesigned our site to bring you a modern, user-friendly experience that makes exploring Black history easier and more engaging than ever.

BlackPast is dedicated to providing reliable information on the history of Black people across the globe, and especially in North America. Our goal is to promote greater understanding of our common human experience through knowledge of the diversity of the Black experience and the ubiquity of the global Black presence. Welcome to the largest online encyclopedia on African American and Global African history on the Internet.

In Defense of Black History

This editorial page is part of an ongoing effort to present the ideas and opinions of individuals both within and beyond BlackPast.org that address the pressing issues and challenges facing African Americans and people of African Ancestry around the world, which are rooted in their historical experiences.

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Featured Article

Shirley Chisholm was a true trailblazer. As the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for president, she broke through barriers and fought for change in ways that still resonate today. Find out more about her incredible legacy by visting her BlackPast article.

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The Interactive African American History Timeline

Discover the rich and inspiring stories of Black history through our interactive timeline, highlighting key moments and figures that have shaped our world. Dive in and explore how history connects to the present and inspires the future!

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The African Capitals

Africa’s capitals are full of life, history, and culture. From the energy of Lagos to the charm of Cairo, each city has its own story to tell. Discover what makes these places special on our African Capitals page.

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What’s New on BlackPast?

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Prisoner Graduates (Louis Bourgeois)

Unit 29: Writings from Parchman Prison: Stories Seldom Told

Mississippi State Penitentiary, or Parchman Prison, has long influenced the Mississippi cultural...
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Zulu Chief Dingane

Dingane (1795-1840)

Dingane ka Senzangakhona, a Zulu prince became the second king of the Zulu Kingdom after the death...
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Cedric Glover (Wikipedia)

Cedric Bradford Glover (1965- )

Cederic Bradford Glover is an American politician who became the first African American mayor of...
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Stephen Bishop (1821-1857)

Stephen Bishop was an American cave explorer and geologist who became one of the first people to...
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William Andrew McClain (1913-2014)

The Honorable  William Andrew McClain was born on January 11, 1913, in Sanford, North Carolina, to...
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Emmanuel Onunwor (Cleveland.com)

Emmanuel W. Onunwor (1954- )

Emmanuel W. Onunwor, was the first African-born American politician to be elected mayor of an...
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Chief Justice George W. Draper III (The Missouri Bar)

George W. Draper III (1953- )

The Honorable George W. Draper, the first African American to serve as Chief Judge on the Missouri...
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