Phillis Wheatley was a significant figure in Black history as she was the first published African American female poet. She was born in West Africa in 1753 and was sold into slavery at the age of seven. She was purchased by the Wheatley family in Boston, who educated her alongside their own children.

Despite the challenges she faced as a slave and a woman of African descent, Phillis Wheatley wrote poetry that highlighted themes of Christian piety, morality, and the struggle for freedom. In 1773, her first poetry collection, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," was published, making her the first African American author to be published in the United States.

Wheatley's work was well-received both in the American colonies and in England, where she traveled to promote her book. Her poetry challenged stereotypes about the intellectual capabilities of Africans and African Americans, and she became a symbol of the potential for literary achievement within the Black community.

Phillis Wheatley's legacy continues to inspire generations of writers and activists, and she is celebrated for her pioneering role in Black literary history.