34. Noble Drew Ali, Religious Leader
Born Timothy Drew in North Carolina, Ali grew inspired by the black identity work of black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Wanting to create a Black identity and sense of pride, Ali founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in New Jersey. Additional branches soon followed in Pittsburgh and Detroit. The temple sought to create a sense of pride, identity, civic engagement, and self-sufficiency in black communities. His work inspired Elijah Muhammad and Fard Muhammad, which aided in the creation of the Nation of Islam.
