Activist Malcolm X appears at a meeting at 2nd Baptist Church, [1962]. Herald Examiner Collection

With over 100,000 images and counting, the Los Angeles Public Library's online photo collection provides a visual history of the city from the 1850s to the present. Individual collections like Shades of L.A., Security Pacific National Bank, and the Herald Examiner and Valley Times newspaper archives, along with smaller collections by photographers Gary Leonard and Rolland J. Curtis, help reflect the diversity of the city and the people who have helped shape its history in big and small ways. To celebrate African American History Month, here is a small sampling of images from the collection showing those who made their mark on our city. 

Biddy Mason was born into slavery, but after escaping to Los Angeles in the 1850s, successfully petitioned the courts for her freedom. She worked as a nurse and later amassed a small fortune in real estate, much of which was donated to local charities, [nd]. Security Pacific National Bank Collection 

Miriam Matthews, the first African American librarian in the Los Angeles Public Library system. She worked from 1927 to 1960, both as a branch librarian and as a supervisor of 12 branch libraries, [1943]. Shades of L.A. Collection 

Jackie Robinson, infielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers and responsible for breaking through Major League Baseball's color barrier arrives in Los Angeles with his son in February 1950 to begin filming The Jackie Robinson Story, [1950]. Herald Examiner Collection 

Charlotta A. Bass, publisher and editor of the California Eagle newspaper from 1912 - 1951, [ca. 1952]. Shades of L.A. Collection

Lionel Hampton, jazz musician and band leader (far left), rides in a Cadillac convertible in front of the fabled Club Alabam on Central Avenue, [ca. 1953]. Shades of L.A. Collection 

Legendary jazz musican and vocalist Nat King Cole poses with awards earned during his career, [1958]. Herald Examiner Collection

Portrait of Paul Revere Williams, a prolific architect who in addition to designing numerous public buildings on the National Registry, also planned over 2,000 private residences, [1951]. Herald Examiner Collection

Reverend Thomas Kilgore, pastor of Second Baptist Church, poses with good friend Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and local youth, [1964]. Rolland J. Curtis Collection

Louis Lomax became the first African American journalist to appear on television (WNTA -TV in New York) and also first to host his own discussion-interview format television program for KTTV in Los Angeles, [1965]. Valley Times Collection 

Marilyn White, the silver medal winner in track and field at the 1964 Olympic Games, shows her medal to friends at Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, her alma mater, [ca. 1965]. Shades of L.A. Collection

Los Angeles City Council representatives Tom Bradley and Billy Mills present a proclamation honoring actor Sidney Poitier, [1964]. Rolland J. Curtis Collection

Whitney Young, Director of the National Urban League dedicates the Los Angeles Urban League headquarters, [1968]. Photo credit: Myron Dubee, Herald Examiner Collection

Activist Angela Davis speaks from the Spring Street steps of City Hall during the community rally on December 11, 1969; on the left is Rev. H. H. Brookins from First A.M.E. Church. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people came out to protest the deteriorating relations between the Los Angeles Police Department and the Black Community. Rolland J. Curtis Collection

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, of Operation PUSH, addresses the Los Angeles School Board in 1977 during a drive to improve the quality of education of minority children. Photo credit: Mike Sergieff, Herald Examiner Collection

Hall of Fame outfielder Reggie Jackson hits a homerun for the California Angels, [1982]. Photo credit: Rob Brown, Herald Examiner Collection

Marcus Allen takes a bow at City Hall during the parade celebrating the Los Angeles Raiders Super Bowl victory, [1984]. Photo credit: James Ruebsamen, Herald Examiner Collection

Cheryl Miller, who later was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is shown cutting down one of the nets during a USC Trojans' post-game celebration, [1984]. Photo credit: Paul Chinn, Herald Examiner Collection

Musician Sheila E., left, with young friend Nicole Escovedo in matching attire, arrives at Wiltern Theater in 1985 for 18th annual NAACP Image Awards presentation of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch. Accompanying the singing star is Willis Edwards, president of the Hollywood chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Barbara Warren. Photo credit: Anne Knudsen, Herald Examiner Collection

Singer-songwriter Barry White visits Jordan High School, [1987]. Photo credit: Michael Haering, Herald Examiner Collection

Mayor Tom Bradley delivers a State of the City address, [1988]. Photo credit: Mike Mullen, Herald Examiner Collection

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (sidelined with an injury) protest a call made by officials at a 1988 game between the Lakers and the Seattle Supersonics; the Lakers won, 110-106. Photo credit: Steve Grayson, Herald Examiner Collection

Eazy-E, and also known as The Godfather of "Gangsta Rap," is shown in 1989. He performed both as a solo artist and with L.A. rappers Ice Cube and Dr. Dre in N.W.A. Photo credit: Steve Grayson, Herald Examiner Collection

USC star quarterback and Heisman candidate Rodney Peete is all smiles during a 1989 practice. Photo credit: Paul Chinn, Herald Examiner Collection

Walter Mosley, a prominent American novelist recognized for his crime fiction, is shown here holding a paperback copy of his book "Little Scarlet" at the Watts Towers, [2005]. Gary Leonard Collection