Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-332) and index.

Richard Allen and the African church movement / Albert J. Raboteau -- Nat Turner: Unknown slave as a visionary leader / Peter H. Wood -- Harriet Tubman's unlikely leadership / Benjamin Quarles -- Frederick Douglass: Humanist as a race leader / Waldo E. Martin, Jr. -- Mary Ann Shadd and the search for equality / Jason H. Silverman -- John Mercer Langston: Principle and politics / William Cheek and Aimee Lee Cheek -- Last stern struggle: Henry Highland Garnet and liberation theory / Sterling Stuckey -- Martin R. Delany: Elitism and black nationalism / Nell Irvin Painter -- Peter Humphries Clark: Dialogue of hope and despair / David A. Gerber -- Three Reconstruction leaders: Blanche K. Bruce, Robert Brown Welliott, and Holland Thompson / Howard N. Rabinowitz -- Black Reconstruction leaders at the grass roots / Eric Foner -- Alexander Crummell: Black nationalist and apostle of Western civilization / Alfred Moss -- The education of Henry McNeal Turner / John Dittmer -- William Henry Steward: Moderate approach to black leadership / George C. Wright -- Isaiah T. Montgomery's balancing act / Janet Sharp Hermann -- Mary Church Terrell: Genteel militant / Sharon Harley.

Biographical studies of Richard Allen, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Mary Ann Shadd, John Mercer Langston, Henry Highland Garnet, Martin Robison Delany, Peter Humphries Clark, Blanche Kelso Bruce, Robert Brown Elliott, Holland Thompson, Alexander Crummell, Henry McNeal Turner, William Henry Steward, Isaiah T. Montgomery, and Mary Church Terrell.