Robert Johnson launches Black Entertainment Television, providing African-Americans with more representation on TV.
Valerie Thomas creates a 3d illusion transmitter, after experimenting with flat and concave mirrors.
African-American Sam Pierce appointed Secretary of HUD.
Coca-Cola pumps 34 million into Black businesses and the Black community ending a national boycott called by PUSH.
Lonnie Johnson invents and patents the “Super Soaker” water pistol.
George Alcorn, Jr. develops the imaging x-ray spectrometer, which use the thermomigration on aluminum, earns a patent that same year.
Patricia Bath invents the laserphaco probe, which helps to remove cataracts in the human eye more sufficiently.
Dr. Dorothy I. Height establishes the movement “Black Family Reunion Celebration”.
The first national Martin Luther King Jr, holiday is celebrated on Jan 20.
Oprah Winfrey becomes the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show.
African-American Rita Dove wins the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Reginald Lewis orchestrates buyout of Beatrice Foods to become the First African American CEO of a billion-dollar corporation.
Barbara Harris is installed as the first woman bishop in the Episcopal Church.
Colin Powell appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Ronald Brown, first Black, elected chair of the Democratic National Committee.