1971

Thirteen Black members of the U.S. House of Representatives formally establish the Congressional Black Caucus to advance the legislative concerns of Black Americans and other marginalized groups.

Ernest Gaines publishes The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, a fictional oral history spanning a century of Black life in Louisiana from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement, which becomes a widely taught American classic.

Ernest Gaines publishes The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, a fictional oral history spanning a century of Black life in Louisiana, which becomes a widely taught American classic.

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff found Philadelphia International Records, which becomes one of the most successful independent Black-owned record labels of the era, producing the Philadelphia Soul sound with artists including the O'Jays and Harold Melvin.

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff found Philadelphia International Records, which becomes one of the most successful independent Black-owned record labels of the era, producing the Philadelphia Soul sound with artists including the O'Jays and Harold Melvin.

Funkadelic releases Maggot Brain, led by George Clinton, featuring Eddie Hazel's extended guitar solo on the title track. The album becomes a cornerstone of funk and psychedelic soul.

Funkadelic releases Maggot Brain, led by George Clinton, featuring Eddie Hazel's extended guitar solo on the title track. The album becomes a cornerstone of funk and psychedelic soul.

Thirteen Black members of Congress, led by Charles Diggs of Michigan, officially founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 with the declaration 'Black people have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests.' The CBC became the most powerful institutional voice for Black Americans in the federal government, growing from 13 members to over 50 by the 2020s.

Melvin Van Peebles writes, directs, produces, scores, and stars in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song on a budget of $150,000 and earns $15 million, demonstrating the commercial viability of independent Black cinema and inspiring the Blaxploitation era.

Melvin Van Peebles writes, directs, produces, scores, and stars in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song on a budget of $150,000, and it earns $15 million, demonstrating the commercial viability of independent Black cinema and inspiring the Blaxploitation era.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship in 1971 and was named Finals MVP, beginning one of the most decorated careers in professional basketball history. Abdul-Jabbar, who had converted to Islam and changed his name from Lew Alcindor, became a symbol of athletic excellence and principled identity.

In just his second NBA season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets and winning Finals MVP.

In just his second NBA season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads the Milwaukee Bucks to their first and only NBA championship, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets and winning Finals MVP.

Against Motown's wishes, Marvin Gaye self-produced and released this concept album addressing the Vietnam War, police brutality, and environmental destruction. It became Motown's best-selling album and is ranked the greatest album ever made by Rolling Stone, transforming R&B into a vehicle for social commentary.

Marvin Gaye releases What's Going On, a concept album addressing the Vietnam War, poverty, and environmental destruction. It becomes one of the most critically acclaimed albums in American music history.

Charley Pride wins the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award, the highest honor in country music, becoming the first Black artist ever to win the award in a historically white-dominated genre.

Charley Pride wins the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award, the highest honor in country music, becoming the first Black artist ever to win the award in a historically white-dominated genre.

Sly Stone releases There's a Riot Goin' On, a dark and experimental album that reflected the disillusionment of the early 1970s and influenced countless artists from hip-hop to alternative music.

Sly Stone releases There's a Riot Goin' On, a dark and experimental album that reflected the disillusionment of the early 1970s and influenced countless artists from hip-hop to alternative music.

Jesse Jackson founds People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) in Chicago on Christmas Day 1971, building an organization focused on economic empowerment and civil rights advocacy.

Romare Bearden exhibits his Mecklenburg County series of photomontages, evoking his North Carolina childhood and cementing his reputation as a master of the collage form.

Romare Bearden exhibits his Mecklenburg County series of photomontages, among the most celebrated works of his career, evoking his North Carolina childhood and cementing his reputation as a master of the collage form.

Percy Sutton, Manhattan Borough President and civil rights attorney, founds Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, acquiring Black-oriented radio stations including WBLS-FM in New York, building one of the most successful Black media companies of the era.

Percy Sutton, Manhattan Borough President and civil rights attorney, founds Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, acquiring Black-oriented radio stations including WBLS-FM in New York, building one of the most successful Black media companies of the era.

Percy Sutton, former Manhattan Borough President and civil rights attorney, founded Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in 1971 and acquired WLIB, one of the first Black-owned radio stations in New York City. He later added WBLS, which became the number-one radio station in New York, and built a media company that was a forerunner of Black ownership in major-market broadcasting.

Miles Davis releases A Tribute to Jack Johnson, a hard-funk electric jazz album honoring the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, featuring John McLaughlin on guitar and cited as one of the most ferocious recordings of Davis's career.

NASA scientist Emmett Chappelle discovered that a bioluminescent reaction could detect the presence of bacteria and plant life in remote environments, with applications in food safety testing, cancer detection, and the search for extraterrestrial life. He holds 14 patents and received NASA's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal.

His studio blockbuster catalyzes a new era of Black-led film.

Don Cornelius's show becomes a showcase for Black music and style.