Alie Kabba is the executive director of the United African Organization, a Chicago-based group comprised of multiple African national associations dedicated to empowering African immigrants and refugees in Illinois.
Millions of Americans still struggle to pay their medical bills, buy groceries and meet other basic needs. Andrew “Bo” Young, III, is the CEO of Give Locally, a website that pre-screens and posts the needs of everyday Americans on the site.
Brenda Combs’ life is drastically different now compared to what it was years ago. She went from being homeless with a drug addiction to earning college and master’s degrees. Combs then went on to create and run a foundation that helps the homeless.
Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Christopher ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, 34, is well-known in music circles, but through the Ludacris Foundation, Bridges has been nationally recognized for his commitment to young people of all ages.
60-year-old Elisabeth Omilami spent her entire life contributing to the community. At an early age, she participated in protests during the Civil Rights movement early on and helped out in the background of her father’s charity, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.
Retired Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor is giving back to the community that supported him during his football career. He started the Jason Taylor Foundation with his wife Katina; a non-profit that provides educational programs and college scholarships to South Florida’s underprivileged youth.
Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson is the first black woman to hold that rank in the history of the U.S. Army. She assumed the position last September. Before that she was already the highest-ranking African-American female in the military branch.
When he was four years old, Nicholas Cobb saw a homeless family living under a bridge. That image stuck out in his mind and in 2009, at age 12, the Texan started his own foundation, Comfort and Joy, to raise money to buy new coats for those living on the street.
Sonya Arrington started Mothers Against Teen Violence, a non-profit organization that educates and raises awareness about teen violence.
Tamika Mallory was named executive director of the National Action Network two years ago. Mallory’s work includes working with the Obama administration on equal rights for women and striving to combat gun violence.
Their passion for giving back and helping their communities are reason these 10 African-Americans made this year’s The Grio’s 100 list. Their commitment to service and activism has earned them the respect if their peers and the community at large.
