One of the most prominent figures in Black history known as the "Queen of Gospel" is Mahalia Jackson. Born in New Orleans in 1911, Mahalia Jackson rose to fame as a gospel singer and became a key figure in the development of gospel music as a commercial genre.

Jackson's powerful voice and emotional delivery made her one of the most revered gospel singers of her time. She sang at numerous churches, revivals, and concerts, captivating audiences with her soulful renditions of traditional spirituals and hymns.

Mahalia Jackson also played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, performing at events such as the 1963 March on Washington, where she sang her famous rendition of "I Been 'Buked and I Been Scorned" before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.

Throughout her career, Mahalia Jackson won multiple Grammy Awards for her gospel recordings and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Her impact on gospel music and her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement have solidified her legacy as the "Queen of Gospel" in Black history.