African American Reference Library

Each of the 500 entries consists of three or four sentences on the person or event with the original source or sources cited. These include the Negro Almanac, Ebony, Crisis, Encyclopedia of Black America, Bennett's Before the Mayflower, and Who's Who among Black Americans. Throughout the text are black-and-white photographs of some of the persons listed. See also references note when a person's achievements are in more than one subject area, such as Maya Angelou, who is cited under Literature as well as Film and Television. A bibliography of all sources consulted is followed by an index.

There are several chronologies available on African Americans, but this one is unique in being arranged by subject and limited to firsts. African American Breakthroughs will find a place on the shelves of media centers and public libraries and is recommended for purchase.