There are more notable African Americans with Kentucky roots and ties than any one person knows about. Very little has been written about many of them and it is a challenge to find what was written in the past. For some, their stories have only been told by word of mouth. The Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA) has been developed as a finding aid to bring together a brief description of pertinent names, places, and events, and to list the sources where additional information may be found. This is not currently an all inclusive database, but we are working toward that goal and suggestions are welcomed.
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Wilson was the first African American hired by the City of Maysville, KY, and by the Maysville Fire Department. The assignment was only temporary…
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Said to be born in Louisville, KY, James Armstead, Jr. was graduated fromLouisville Central High School in 1936; he also attended Louisville Municipal…
Born in Lyon County, KY, Smith's father and owner was Elijah Smith, his mother was a slave named Susan. At the age of 19 he ran away and became a…
Albert Meyzeek was a teacher and the principal at several Louisville schools. He was also a civil rights activist. Meyzeek came to Kentucky from Terre…
Estill County was formed in 1808 from portions of Clark and Madison Counties. Estill County is located in eastern Kentucky, surrounded by five…
A few weeks after Robert Guthrie and his twin brother were born, the family moved to Richmond, KY, then to Lexington, KY. His father, P. L. Guthrie,…
Paul Peter Barber was born in Louisville, KY, the child of slaves. His last name was Smith until he was 4 years old, when Barber was sold to Philetus…
Knott County, located in eastern Kentucky, was formed from portions of Perry, Letcher, Floyd, and Breathitt Counties in 1884. It is surrounded by six…
David Young was a Louisiana Senator for the 15th district that covered the Concordia and Avoyelles Parishes. Young was born a slave in Kentucky on…
