Black Lightning

Jefferson Pierce is a graduate from Garfield High in Metropolis who goes on to be an Olympic decathlon star and later a teacher at the school. He graduates from Kent State University with a teaching degree in physics. As a teacher, he works for New Carthage and later at the same Garfield High that he graduated from. Jefferson wastes no time in getting into trouble with a gang of drug pushers who are connected with the 100 organization. He does this by trying to clean the school of the pushers. In a fight, a student named Earl Clifford helps Jefferson and is later killed for his efforts by a gang leader known as Joey Toledo. This is the catalyst that leads Jefferson into becoming Black Lightning.

Distraught over the death of Earl, Jefferson turns to a man named Peter Gambi. Gambi owns a tailor shop that Jefferson and his mother lived above while he was growing up and he became very close to as a child. Peter made a costume for Jefferson for when he came back, as if he knew that he would want it. When Jefferson returns, he presents it to him. With the addition of a mask and an afro wig, Jefferson's identity becomes secure, but he also disguises his voice and adds a lot of street slang while he is in his Black Lightning persona.
Creation

Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden in Black Lightning #1 in April 1977. Black Lightning was the first African-American superhero to have his own solo series. Though short lived, the series is known as an iconic addition to DC's history.

Jeff is one of the founding members of The Outsiders team along with Batman, Geo-Force, Halo, Katana, and Metamorpho, and has been on and off the roster many times. He has been the leader of the team as well.

In the most recent version of the the team, Alfred recruits him along with Geo-Force, Halo, Metamorpho, Katana, Creeper, and Owlman to go under the radar and take on missions they normally wouldn't be able to take. The main enemies at this time are The Insiders who are unknown to the rest of the world. The team stops them and moves on to tracking down Killer Croc, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze.

Justice League of America

Jeff is invited to the Justice League of America during its Satellite years and at first turns down the offer. He joins a new version of the League later. He fights alongside Geo-Force, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Red Arrow, Vixen, Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Black Canary and Hal Jordan against Amazo and Solomon Grundy. He stays with the team for a good time until he is traded to The Outsiders at the request of Batman.

     Powers:

Enhanced Strength
Peak Human/Enhanced Conditioning
Peak Human Stamina
Peak Human Endurance
Peak Human Durability
Healing Factor
Lightning Fast Reflexes/Agility
Superhuman Speed
Flight
Enhanced Senses

Electrokinesis
Electricity Absorption
Electricity Projection
Anger Empowerment
Black Lightning Manipulation
Energy Aura
Physical Lightning Manipulation

Abilities:
Pedagogy: Pierce is a highly gifted/intelligent person.

Expert Teacher: Pierce is an highly educated and skilled teacher, who is widely regarded as the country's number one teacher/educator. Pierce is known to have single handily been the driving force in turning various decaying public education schools and facilities in various cities in country into the finest in the nation.World Class Olympic-level Decathlete: Pierce is an Olympic-Level Athlete, excelling as a runner, sprinter, swimmer, track & fielder, and gymnast; 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500-meter run.

Martial Arts (Advance): Pierce was originally just a street fighter, but honed his fighting skills under Batman's tutelage. While training under Batman, he learned/mastered multiple forms of Martial Arts (armed and unarmed), and became a lethal combatant. Pierce also received training from Wildcat, especially in boxing, as a means to control his anger and keep him off the streets.

Equipments:

Electric Power Belt: Black Lightning had to access his powers through a belt; he has since internalized these powers.

Source:http://www.comicvine.com/black-lightning/4005-10994/