Welcome

Before1964 is a digital encyclopedia and curated storytelling archive documenting Black institutions, innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and creators whose work predates the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

While the Civil Rights Act was transformative, Black excellence did not begin in 1964. Across banking, education, science, aviation, hospitality, film, and enterprise, thriving institutions and visionary leaders were already shaping communities and industries.

This archive exists to preserve, organize, and make accessible these documented histories for general readers, educators, and future generations. As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the website’s inaugural exhibit focuses on African Americans in the Revolutionary War.