The Measure of a ManThe Measure of a Man

The actor--who grew up poor on a small Bahamian island with no electricity--credits his childhood for instilling in him the sense of self-worth and determination that has enabled him to break countless barriers. At first rejected by audiences, Poitier eventually became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. His strong influence in the Civil Rights movement led to multiple honors from the NAACP.