6 Inspiring Black Teens Who Made History

From baseball fields to global platforms, Black teens have shaped history with bravery and creativity long before reaching adulthood. These young leaders not only broke barriers but also redefined what is possible for future generations.  

1. Claudette Colvin – Courage Before Rosa Parks 

At just 15 years old, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 2, 1955. This was months before Rosa Parks’ more famous act of defiance.

Her bold stand against segregation, despite facing arrest, became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement and laid legal groundwork for future victories.  

Colvin later reflected on youth and resistance: “Young people think Rosa Parks just sat down on a bus and ended segregation, but that wasn’t the case at all.” 

2. Marsai Martin – Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood  

Marsai Martin made history at just 14 years old when she became the youngest executive producer in Hollywood for the hit film “Little” (2019). The movie, starring Martin herself, tells the story of a woman who magically becomes her younger self while balancing comedy with important social themes. 

Martin said in interviews, “I wanted to show that young people, especially young girls of color, can create their own opportunities, they don’t have to wait for someone else to give it to them.”  

Her groundbreaking work challenged Hollywood norms and inspired many young Black creatives to pursue leadership roles behind the camera.  

3. Mo’ne Davis – Redefining Women in Sports  

In 2014, Mo’ne Davis, then just 13, became the first girl in Little League World Series history to earn a pitching win and throw a shutout, challenging gender norms in a predominantly male sport.   

She said at the time, “I never thought at the age of 13, I’d be a role model. … Being a baseball role model is really cool.”

Davis’ jersey now hangs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and she inspired girls nationwide to strive for more in sports.

4. Maame Biney – Speed Skating Trailblazer  

Maame Biney made history in 2018 when she became the first black woman to qualify for the U.S. Olympic speedskating team, competing in the Winter Games at the age of 18.

Her achievement challenged stereotypes and opened doors in a sport with limited representation of Black athletes.  

5. Quvenzhané Wallis – Youngest Oscar Nominee  

Actor Quvenzhané Wallis earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress at age nine for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), making her the youngest nominee in that category’s history and the first born in the 21st century to receive an Oscar nomination.  

Her success showed that talent has no age limits and that Black girls belong in every story, including those told on Hollywood’s biggest stages.  

6. Amanda Gorman – Poetic Voice of a Generation  

Although no longer a teen, Amanda Gorman’s most historic achievement began in her youth when she became the first National Youth Poet Laureate at age 19. This launched her public literary career, culminating in her becoming the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history in 2021.  

Her poetry, including “The Hill We Climb,” continues to uplift voices surrounding justice, belonging, and resilience.  

Why These Stories Matter  

Across civil rights, sports, arts, and culture, these teens didn’t just set records; they broke barriers. Their achievements resonate because they came not from chance but from bravery: the bravery to claim space, to excel despite the odds, and to create a legacy far beyond their years.  

These young history-makers remind us that age does not limit impact and that Black youth have consistently been at the forefront of progress throughout American history.