Althea Gibson was a pioneering African American tennis player who broke racial barriers and achieved numerous firsts in the sport. She was born on August 25, 1927, in South Carolina and grew up in Harlem, New York.

In the 1950s, Gibson became the first African American to compete on the women's professional tennis tour. She also broke the color barrier in tennis by becoming the first Black player to win a Grand Slam title. In 1956, she won the French Championships, making her the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam title.

Gibson went on to win several major titles, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships (now the U.S. Open) in both singles and doubles. She was a trailblazer for Black athletes in tennis and helped pave the way for other African American players to compete in the sport.

In addition to her accomplishments on the tennis court, Gibson was also a talented golfer and became the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Althea Gibson's contributions to sports and her role in breaking down racial barriers have solidified her place in Black history as a pioneer and trailblazer for future generations of athletes.