Science

• Dr. Ernest Everett Just - Internationally known biologist and professor at Howard University
• Dr. Charles Drew - Perfected the use of blood plasma; Professor of Surgery at Howard University
• Percy Julian - Discovered the use of foam to extinguish fires and discovered a method of producing cortisone synthetically 
• Dr. Fred Drew Gregory - Astronaut, graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (pilot)
• Charles Bolden - Astronaut, graduate of the United States Naval Academy (pilot)
• Dr. Ronald E. McNair - Astronaut, graduate of M.I.T., Ph.D. in Physics (civilian)
• Dr. Hildrus Poindexter - Bacteriologist who studied the epidemiology of tropical diseases.

Arts

• William "Count" Basie - Internationally known pianist, composer, arranger, and band leader
• Langston Hughes - The Black Poet Laureate, excelled as a poet, playwright, novelist, lyricis and humorist
• Sterling Brown - Teacher, poet, writer, Professor Emeritus of Literature at Howard University, has a special foundation for folk culture and jazz music
• Joe Torry - Comedian and actor
• William H. "Bill" Cosby - Comedian, author, actor, producer
• Roland Hayes - Internationally known tenor of the 1920s. Hayes sang in five different languages
• Steve Harvey - Comedian and actor
• Rickey Smiley - Comedian and actor
• Tom Joyner - Radio show host

Athletics

• William DeHart Hubbard - University of Michigan sprinter; first black person to represent the United States in the Olympic Games in 1924.
• Joe Black - All-time great Brooklyn Dodger baseball pitcher. Lowest ERA in the Major Leagues in 1952.
• Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Former Outstanding player with the Dallas Cowboys.
• Michael Jordan - Outstanding former player with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. Voted to NBA Hall of Fame in 2009.
• Mo Vaughn - Former outstanding baseball player with the Boston Red Sox.
• Steve McNair - Outstanding former NFL player with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.
• Jerry Ball - 3 time Pro Bowler and former NFL defensive lineman.
• Vince Carter - 8-time All-Star. 2-time All-NBA guard for the New Jersey Nets. 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year.
• Mark Duper - 3 time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro former wide receiver with Miami Dolphins.
• Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines - Hall of Fame Basketball coach. Coached at Winston-Salem State University from 1946 - 1993. Also, 4-year All-CIAA lineman in football.
• Dr. Edwin Bancroft (E.B.) Henderson - Captain and outstanding player on the Washington 12th Streeters (1906-1910). He is known as the "Father of Black Sport History". First Black male to become certified to teach Physical Education in public schools.
• Keith Jackson - 5 time Pro Bowler and 5 time All Pro former NFL Tight end.He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
• Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell - Outstanding former professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics and other teams. 1981 NBA Finals MVP.
• Shaquille O'Neal - Star center with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers is a 14 time NBA All-star. He is 3 time NBA Final MVP and 2000 NBA MVP.
• Brice Taylor - University of Southern California football legend. Guard on mid 1920’s team. Schools first All-American.
• Terrence Trammell - 2-time (2000, 2004) Olympic silver medalist in 110m hurdles.
• Charlie Ward - 1993 Heisman Trophy winner and former NBA guard with the NY Knicks.

Business

• Jessie Hill - President of Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
• Earl Graves - Chairman and CEO of Black Enterprise Magazine.
• Therman McKenzie - Former Co-Owner of M & M Products (Sta Soft Fro)
• Nathaniel Bronner - Co-Owner of Bronner Brothers Beauty

Politics

• Lawrence Douglas Wilder - Became Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1990. He also received the Bronze Star for his military heroics in the Korean War
• William Hastie - First Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands
• George L.P. Weaver - Former U.S. Secretary of Labor
• Vernon Jordan
• Robert C. Weaver - First African American to serve on the Presidential Cabinet when he became Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson
• Clifford L. Alexander, Jr. - Secretary, Department of the Army
• Rev. Jesse Jackson - Candidate for the United States Presidency in 1984 and 1988
• Dr. David Satcher - Formerly, the Director of the CDC and the President of Meharry Medical College

Civil Rights

• Rev. Jesse Jackson - Former Director of Operation PUSH; Founder, Rainbow Coalition
• Grant Reynolds - Played a major role in President Truman's 1948 decision to desegregate the United States Armed Forces 
• James Nabrit - Former Dean of Howard University Law School and former president of Howard University. A leader in the training of the early Civil Rights lawyers
• Wiley Branton - Attorney of the "Little Rock Nine" and former Dean of Howard University School of Law
• Roy Wilkins - Long-time Executive Director of the NAACP
• Benjamin Hooks - Succeeded Roy Wilkins as Executive Director of the NAACP, the most effective of all civil rights organizations
• Vernon Jordan - Former Executive Director of the National Urban League
• Khalid Muhammad - A member of the "Nation of Islam"

Education

• Dr. Carter G. Woodson - The earliest and most outspoken proponent for the study of Black History
• Benjamin E. Mays - President Emeritus of Morehouse College, writer and lecturer
• Herman Dreer - Teacher, minister, writer, and author of The History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 1911-1961