African Americans

More than 40 million people in the United States today claim African-American ancestry. Some come from families that have lived in America for hundreds of years and over numerous generations. Others are recent immigrants to the United States.

Inside this book you'll find a short history of the African-American experience in the United States. And you'll have the chance to learn more about people of African descent who have found success in America. Chapter biographies of the following individuals help tell the story of today's African Americans:

Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Supermodel and CEO Iman

Neurosurgeon and scientist Keith L. Black

NASA astronaut Stephanie D.l Wilson

Pro basketball player Dikembe Mutombo

Pro soccer player Freddy Adu

The Cross-Currents features inside this book explore connections between people, places, events, and ideas. They provide additional context for better understanding the life and times of the subjects.

This Gallup Resource Book contains information obtained from polls conducted by the Gallup Organization, an international polling institute that has been monitoring public opinion since 1935.