Accompanying Black History Month, andscape.com offers up 44 African Americans Who Shook up the World.

“This is a list of The Undefeated 44, a collection of dreamers and doers, noisy geniuses and quiet innovators, record-breakers, and symbols of pride and aspiration,” writes Kevin Merida in the introduction.

“A dashing lawyer who redefined fearlessness and broke Jim Crow’s back. The most gravity-defying, emulated athlete the world has ever produced. A brilliant folklorist of fierce independence who was a proudly ‘outrageous woman.’ ”

You can view the thought-provoking list, along with Robert Ball’s stunning portraits of the people selected, at this link.