Pop Culture Andrew BachelorAndrew Bachelor, a.k.a. King Bach, is a comedy celebrity on Vine. With 1.9million followers, a YouTube channel, corporate sponsorship, and a BET pilot in the works…Click here to read more. Nicole BeharieLast year Nicole Behairie shined on the big screen opposite Chadwick Boseman in ‘42.’ These days she leaves audiences speechless as the star of Fox’s thriller ‘Sleepy Hollow’…Click here to read more. Laverne CoxLaverne Cox has created her own lane in Hollywood. As the first African American transgender actress with a starring role on a TV Show, ‘Orange Is the New Black’…Click here to read more. Danai GuriraSince joining ‘The Walking Dead,’ Danai Gurira has become an iconic black TV heroine and stands as one of the only African American TV stars with prominent role in horror drama…Click here to read more. Micheal B. JordanIn 2013 Michael B. Jordan grabbed the attention of Hollywood film critics with his starring role as shooting victim Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler…Click here to read more. Lupita Nyong’o’12 Years a Slave’ star Lupita Nyong’o has become one of Hollywood’s fastest rising stars after her role in Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed drama…Click here to read more. QuestloveToday Questlove is so much more than a recording artist and musican. He’s taken a stance on several very important causes like stop-and-frisk, George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the death of Trayvon Martin, and President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act…Click here to read more. Forest WhitakerOscar winning actor Forest Whitaker had amazing year in Hollywood appearing alongside and all-star cast in ‘Lee Daniels’ The Buter’…Click here to read more. Pharrell WilliamsThe Grammy winning artist who never seems to age: Pharell Williams was a featured artists on the two biggest songs of the summer – Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”…Click here to read more. Sasheer ZamataSasheer Zamata 27, is an actress/comedienne who grabbed the attention of media around the world when she joined the cast of NBC’s ‘Saturday Night Live’…Click here to read more. Politics Steve BenjaminBenjamin is the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina. When he first won in 2010, by a mere 1,000 votes, he became the city’s first-ever black mayor…Click here to read more. Barry C. BlackSince 2003, Black has been the chaplain of the U.S. Senate, opening each session of the chamber with a prayer and also serving as a spiritual adviser to members and their families and staffs…Click here to read more. Anthony BrownThe 52-year-old lieutenant governor is running for the top spot in his state this year, looking to become only the third African-American ever elected governor of a state and the first in Maryland’s history…Click here to read more. Chiara and Dante de BlasioDante, 16, and Chiara, 19, are the children of Bill de Blasio, who emerged from a crowded field to a surprising victory in a Democratic primary last year and then was elected mayor…Click here to read more. Erika HaroldThe 2003 Miss America is now running for a U.S. House seat in Illinois. If Harold won, she would be the only black female Republican in Congress…Click here to read more. Jeh JohnsonThe former general counsel for the Pentagon became the secretary of homeland security in December, leading a department that includes 22 agencies that are supposed to prevent attacks like what happened on Sept. 11, 2001…Click here to read more. Byron Todd JonesJones is in charge of reviving an agency whose reputation was battered from the failures of a gun trafficking investigation known as “Fast and Furious”…Click here to read more. Gwen MooreThe Wisconsin Democrat has served in the U.S. House since 2005, representing a district that includes parts of Milwaukee…Click here to read more. Colin PowellPowell, retired after a long career in key national security posts, reemerged in 2013 to sharply criticize the GOP, the party he has long been associated with and under which he served as National Security Adviser and Secretary of State…Click here to read more. Rick WadeThe veteran political operative, who ran Obama’s black vote program in 2008 and then worked in the Commerce Department in the administration, is now trying to become a politician in his own right…Click here to read more. Sports Jozy AltidoreIf the U.S. men’s national soccer team makes a run at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, 24-year-old striker Jozy Altidore will be a big reason why. Altidore is unquestionably one of America’s greatest soccer talents and is prime for a big 2014…Click here to read more. Kay-Ci BeleKay-Ci Bele is a freshman wrestler at Jamestown College in North Dakota. She was a four-time state champion in high school, earning many of her victories against boys. She aspires to wrestle in the 2016 Olympics in Rio…Click here to read more. Swin CashSwin Cash is a 11-year WNBA veteran and current forward for the Chicago Sky. Her ‘Cash for Kids’ foundation provides opportunities for young people in communities across the U.S…Click here to read more. Kevin KriggerLast year, Kevin Krigger became just the second black jockey since 1921 to compete in the Kentucky Derby. Krigger is a native of St. Croix, he rode his first horse when he was five. He hopes to make a return to the Derby in 2014…Click here to read more. Brandon MarshallBrandon Marshall is an All-Pro wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. He’s played eight seasons in the NFL and dedicated much of his life off the field to promoting mental health awareness…Click here to read more. Floyd MayweatherFloyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has never lost a professional boxing match. He is effortless in and outside of the ring, especially in business and philanthropy. Forbes estimates his career earnings at more than $350 million…Click here to read more. Chris PaulChris Paul is an All-Star point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul was recently elected president of the NBA Players Union and has endorsement deals with State Farm and Jordna Brand…Click here to read more. Sloane StephensSloane Stephens is one of the top tennis players in the world and she hasn’t even turned 21. 2014 could be the Plantation, Florida native’s breakout year and a preview of what could be her future dominance in women’s tennis…Click here to read more. Darrell Wallace Jr.Darrell Wallace Jr. recently became the first African-American driver to win a national NASCAR series event since Wendell Scott’s victory back in 1963. Wallace is a development driver for Joe Gibbs racing…Click here to read more. Darren YoungDarren Young, a professional wrestler for WWE, made headlines last year when he revealed to a photographer that he was gay. Young is one half of the popular wrestling tag team ‘The Prime Time Players’…Click here to read more. Arts Ryan CooglerRyan Coogler is a writer and director whose first feature, Fruitvale Station, chronicles the last 24 hours in the life of police shooting victim Oscar Grant…Click here to read more. Tananarive DueTananarive Due is a writer, and now film producer, working tirelessly to bring images of blacks in science fiction and fantasy into the mainstream. Due hopes to empower us to cope with life’s tests through the gift of a good story…Click here to read more. Cheryl Boone IsaacsCheryl Boone Isaacs became the first president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2013, and only the third woman to hold the role in the organization’s 86 year history…Click here to read more. Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-HarveyWhen Alia Jones-Harvey and Stephen C. Byrd produced an all-black version of the Tennessee Williams classic ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ in 2008, it was a runaway success…Click here to read more. Brooklyn MackPrincipal dancer at The Washington Ballet, Brooklyn Mack, has recently made his debut in the leading male role of Albrecht in the classical ballet Giselle — no small feat for a young man from Elgin, SC whose first love was football…Click here to read more. Terrance McKnightTerrance McKnight reaches a dedicated audience of music enthusiasts every weekday evening as a radio host for New York City’s storied classical station WQXR, but he is so much more…Click here to read more. Toyin OdutolaToyin Odutola is a fine artist who is capturing widespread attention through her mesmerizing portraits rendered in the humble media of paper and ball point pen…Click here to read more. Billy PorterBilly Porter is a veteran singer and actor whose breakout performance in the Broadway hit musical ‘Kinky Boots’ won him a 2013 Tony Award…Click here to read more. Condola RashadCondola Rashad might be the daughter of celebrated actress Phylicia Rashad and sportscaster and former professional athlete Ahmad Rashad — but she is making a big name on her own…Click here to read more. John RidleyJohn Ridley is a screenwriter, novelist, journalist, television producer and television writer. But his screenplay adaption of 12 Years a Slave from the memoirs of Solomon Northup has taken is journey as a writer reflecting the black experience to new levels…Click here to read more. Health Dr. David BellAdolescent medicine doctor, Dr. David Bell, 51, mentors and fights for young men’s health through his work with New York City’s Young Men’s Clinic. Click here to read more. Dr. Keith L. BlackDr. Keith L. Black is leading the fight against aggressive brain tumors. He operates on tumors that others shy away from and has made it his mission to research ways to keep them from coming back…Click here to read more. Dr. Jeanine DowneyDermatologist Jeanine Downey focuses on ethnic skin care issues and serves as a national and international expert in her field. She’s also a researcher and heavily involved in the community…Click here to read more. Tanya FieldsTanya Fields is a single mom of four (who’s expecting her fifth) living in the Bronx who was frustrated by cycles of poverty, inequalities in wealth and women not being able to sustain their families. She created BLK ProjeK, a Bronx organization that combats food justice and creates good food for low-income people using urban agriculture…Click here to read more. Shaun T.Shaun T., fitness video mogul, teaches men, women and kids how to shed pounds and burn fat in his videos INSANITY, Hip Hop Abs and Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club…Click here to read more. Tonya Lewis LeeTonya Lewis Lee is an advocate for women’s health and infant mortality. Her experience as national spokesperson for “A Healthy Baby Begins With You,” and a documentary about the campaign also led her to an interest in black women’s health…Click here to read more. Riana LynnLynn has been a long-time supporter of living a healthy lifestyle and the success of her juice bar and health firm have allowed her to spread this message on a national level. She has partnered with professionals in a variety of fields such as agriculture, business, politics and technology to become a successful entrepreneur…Click here to read more. Kameron Matthews and Alden LandryDrs. Kameron Matthews and Alden Landry saw a need for a more diverse healthcare workforce and now tour city by city, school by school inspiring young college students interested in medicine…Click here to read more. Denise RobertsThe year following her second cancer diagnosis, Denise Roberts founded the Denise Roberts Breast Cancer Foundation (TDRBCF) in order to help underserved populations of women and men of color under 40 who are not usually exposed to breast health education and resources…Click here to read more. Haile ThomasYoung chef Haile Thomas, 13, works hard to engage, inspire and educate other kids about healthy eating, cooking and living. She is a consultant for many local restaurants and national hotel chains in an effort to make kid’s menus healthier…Click here to read more. Activism Phillip AgnewAt 28-years old, Phillip Agnew is the executive director and co-founder of the Dream Defenders – a community activist group of minority youth who are being recognized as the next generation of civil rights leaders…Click here to read more. Harry BelafonteAs a singer, actor and key civil rights activist Harry Belafonte is one of the nation’s most revered and respected leaders…Click here to read more. Rev. Corey BrooksPastor Corey Brooks is the residing reverend and founder of New Beginning Church of Chicago, a non-denominational church located in the south side of Chicago…Click here to read more. Jason CollinsJason Collins made headlines this year when he became the first openly gay active American athlete in a professional sports league…Click here to read more. Jamie FoxxSince become an A-List star, Foxx has used his popularity to be a positive influence through social activism…Click here to read more. Sybrina FultonSybrina Fulton is the mother of 17-year-old of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teen who was shot and killed in Sanford, Fl by neighborhood watch guard George Zimmerman…Click here to read more. Bethann HardisonAs an advocate for increasing diversity on the runway, Bethann Hardison led the charge and called on some of fashion’s biggest brands to include more women of color…Click here to read more. Janaye IngramJanaye Ingram, 34, is the acting Executive Director of the Harlem-based National Action Network, a leading civil rights organization fighting for equal justice for all people…Click here to read more. Rev. Al SharptonRev. Sharpton is a news show host, civil rights activist and author who has had a banner year that celebrated success across many of his endeavors…Click here to read more. Natalie and Derrica WilsonDerrica and Natalie Wilson are sisters who are joined together in their mission to help minority families find missing relatives…Click here to read more. Media Vanessa BushAfter spending roughly a decade in the trenches at Essence magazine Vanessa Bush assumed the long-vacant role of editor-in-chief this past summer…Click here to read more. Arsenio HallAfter decades spent largely out of the limelight, Hall has made a triumphant return to the world of late night comedy with his new incarnation of The Arsenio Hall Show….Click here to read more. Kimberley HarrisHarris was appointed to be the executive vice president and general counsel for NBCUniversal (the company which, full disclosure, owns theGrio) in July of 2013. She is in charge of the company’s global regulatory and legislative agenda…Click here to read more. Faith JenkinsA Louisiana native and former beauty queen (she won Ms. Louisiana in 2000 and was a first runner-up for Ms. America in 2001), Faith Jenkins has become a recognizable face while appearing as a legal expert on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC…Click here to read more. Kid Fury and CrissleBloggers and relatively recent New York City residents, Kid Fury and Crissle host a popular hip-hop and pop culture focused podcast called The Read. Their hilarious and no-holds barred commentary draws 80,000 listeners a week…Click here to read more. Ray LewisThe recently-retired Baltimore Raven is widely hailed as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He recently capped a stellar career with his second Super Bowl victory in January of 2013…Click here to read more. Robby NovakWhile 10-year-old Robby Novak is hardly a household name, his alter ego, “Kid President”, is. The articulate pre-teen in a dress suit has won millions of fans with his motivational viral videos….Click here to read more. Angela RyeAngela Rye currently serves at the Principal in charge of the DC-based IMPACT Strategies, an organization which encourages young professionals in economic empowerment, civic engagement, and political involvement…Click here to read more. B. ScottAn American television personality and Internet celebrity, the openly gay and transgender B. Scott has built his own media empire supported by millions of fans…Click here to read more. Iyanla VanzantAuthor, life coach and spiritual advisor Iyanla Vanzant became a household name back in the 1990s after making several high-profile appearances on the iconic iteration of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’…Click here to read more. Science & Technology Shawn AllenThirty year-old Shawn Allen is a video game developer and capture artist who went from EBGames to Rockstar games, the creators of the popular Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto franchise…Click here to read more. Jaylen BledsoeJaylen Bledsoe is the CEO of a very successful tech company that’s valued at 3.5 million. He’s also only 15 years old…Click here to read more. Jamie BroadnaxJamie Broadnax is a self proclaimed blogger and nerd. She’s also the creator of BlackGirlsNerds, an online group dedicated to covering topics that interest women of color who consider themselves to be geeks, as she put it, “A website for Blerds–black nerds”…Click here to read more. Kimberly BryantKimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls Code. Black Girls Code is a website and movement dedicated to giving young women of color opportunities to learn how to write computer code…Click here to read more. Kathyrn FinneyKathyrn Finney is a tech writer and talking head who’s best known for her work on lifestyle blog, The Budget Fashionista…Click here to read more. Lonnie JohnsonJohnson had been tenacious in demanding recognition for what this black man has accomplished. While Johnson was acknowledged as being the father of the Super Soaker in spirit, he wasn’t compensated financially…Click here to read more. Danielle LeeDanielle Lee, Ph.D is a scientist whose specialty is the field of biology. She describes herself as a Hip Hop mavin blogging on urban ecology, evolutionary biology and diversity in the sciences…Click here to read more. David Moinina SengehSengeh is the president and co-founder of Global Mininum Inc. (GMin) ,co-founder of Lebone Solutions Inc., and owner of Nyali Clothing…Click here to read more. Julian SharpeJulian Sharpe is an inventor hailing from Seattle, Washington and the creator of the Tsunami survival capsule. He is a graduate of Loughborough University of Technology, UK in 1985 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Design…Click here to read more. Baratunde ThurstonThurston’s book How To Be Black, provides readers off all creeds insight into the modern day African -American’s mindset without being overbearing and offensive…Click here to read more. Education MK AsanteMK Asante Jr. is a filmmaker, award-winning writer and respected college professor. He is still only 31-years-old…Click here to read more. Jason ColemanJason Coleman co-founded Project SYNCERE, an educational not-for-profit organization dedicated to exposing inner-city minorities and underserved communities to a curriculum in STEM…Click here to read more. Dr. Leon FinneyDr. Leon Finney is best known for his decades-long work with The Woodlawn Organization and Woodlawn Community Development Corporation (WCDC), a community development initiative to establish affordable housing…Click here to read more. Kamau HarperFollowing on from completing his master’s degree in education at the ripe age of 23, Kamau Harper took on posts at NYC public schools but felt compelled to do more to transform the lives of young people in his community…Click here to read more. David J. JohnsDavid J. Johns, 31, lives, breathes and sleeps education. A former NYC elementary school teacher, Johns has risen through the ranks to achieve prominent roles in politics and federal government…Click here to read more. Asean JohnsonPint-sized Asean Johnson,10, is an avid reader and aspiring footballer but unlike most fourth graders he is also a passionate advocate for equal access to education for minorities and underserved students…Click here to read more. Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeeverAn accomplished writer, scholar and public speaker, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, 45, has devoted her entire professional life to advancing the socioeconomic well-being of women and communities of color…Click here to read more. Zakiya SmithZakiya Smith, 29, is passionate about supporting social equality by promoting educational access for low-and moderate-income families…Click here to read more. Gabrielle TurnquestGabrielle Turnquest, 19, is an academic overachiever whose intellectual prowess would intimate even the most smug…Click here to read more. James WardBorn and raised on the tough streets of South Los Angeles, James Ward, 19, is a young man who has had a difficult start…Click here to read more. Business Shante BaconPublic relations “powerhouse” Shante Bacon is considered the epitome of what can be achieved if you think big! The co-founder and CEO of the 135th Street Agency has garnered top clients from across the creative and media industries…Click here to read more. Zora BallLast year when Zora Ball was only in the first grade, she became the youngest person to develop a mobile app game. And to prove it was not a fluke, adult programmers challenged her to reconfigure her project on the spot and she succeed…Click here to read more. Adriene BowlesHollywood shot caller Adriene Bowles is President, worldwide publicity and Executive Vice President of marketing at Focus Feature. She works directly with filmmakers and talent at all phases of films’ progress, from production through to the theatrical run and awards campaign…Click here to read more. Moziah BridgesAdults can learn a lot about “sartorial splendor” from Mo Bridges, the 12 year old creator of Mo’s Bows. He hand crafted his first ties with scraps of his grandmother’s material…Click here to read more. Andre Hueston MackBusiness insiders shook their heads when they learned that successful Citibank investment executive Andre Mack was quitting to literally work the pastures of a winery. But to Mack, he found joy introducing friends and guests to little known vineyards…Click here to read more. Cleve MesidorCleve Mesidor left her native Haiti when she was only 8. But after serving for almost 4 years in the Obama Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development, she returned to Haiti to help rebuild the island nation’s economic infrastructure…Click here to read more. Asia NewsomeTen-year-old Asia Newsome is hailed as Detroit’s youngest entrepreneur. Newsome sells candles with her dad in a successful business that she created and runs. Those who meet her all agree that she is an entrepreneurial dynamo…Click here to read more. John RogersJohn Washington Rogers, Jr. founded Ariel Capital Management in 1983. He is chairman and CEO of the company, which is the United States’ largest minority-run mutual fund firm. His passion for investing started when he was 12 years old when his father bought him stocks every birthday and every Christmas instead of toys…Click here to read more. Todd WilliamsAs founder and CEO of Vertex Body Sciences, Todd Williams leads one of the fastest growing businesses in America. Capitalizing on the expanding energy snacks and nutrition beverages market, the company has grown 10,010 percent in the past three years employing 51 people…Click here to read more. James WhiteJames D. White, also known as Jim, has been the Chief Executive Officer and the President of Jamba, Inc. since December 1, 2008. Also as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Jamba Juice Company, White oversees 800 locations operating in 26 states, the Bahamas, Canada, the Philippines and South Korea…Click here to read more.
