Supplemented with quotes and engaging articles from USA TODAY, the Nation’s No. 1 Newspaper, The African American Experience shines a spotlight on African Americans and their many exciting contributions to U.S. society. From musicians and athletes to media and political leaders, African American people enrich American life.

Writers such as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison offer eye-opening glimpses into their lives and cultural history. Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, tennis stars Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, and golf great Tiger Woods smashed cultural and racial barriers in professional sports. Artists such as W. C. Handy, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson dramatically changed the world’s musical landscape, while actor and media mogul Oprah Winfrey shaped television, film, and publishing. Political leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama wrought major shifts in U.S. society and government.

Read this informative title to learn more about how African Americans contribute to the United States’ cultural mosaic, enriching our nation with a wide range of traditions, customs, and life experiences.