We are highlighting examples of Black excellence throughout the year! Feel free to send suggestions to Rachel at rstoler@frcog.org.
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Black Excellence: Deborah Roberts
https://www.deborahrobertsart.com/artist-statement Deborah Roberts (American, b. 1962) is a mixed media artist whose work challenges the notion of ideal beauty.
Black Excellence: Dr. Shelly Harrell
https://gsep.pepperdine.edu/about/our-people/faculty/shelly-harrell Dr. Harrell is a licensed psychologist with areas of specialization in multicultural and community psychology. Her research interests include cultural dimensions of wellness and positive well-being, racism-related stress, resilience-oriented stress management interventions, culturally-diverse contemplative practices, humanistic-existential and integrative approaches to psychotherapy, and African American mental health.
Black Excellence: Henry Ossawa Tanner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ossawa_Tanner Henry Ossawa Tanner (June 21, 1859 – May 25, 1937) was an American artist who spent much of his career in France.
Black Excellence: Dr. Zolelwa Sifumba
https://ahaic.org/speaker/dr-zolelwa-sifumba/ Dr Zolelwa Sifumba is a young, passionate global health activist, medical doctor ,Clinical Research Fellow at the Africa Health Research Institute and is an HBNU Fogarty Global Health Fellow conducting research in Tuberculosis, an illness close to her heart.
Black Excellence: Alua Arthur
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/17/1245264129/death-doula-alua-arthur-briefly-perfectly-human As a death doula, Alua Arthur helps people to plan for the end of life and, when the time comes, to let go. She says that while we’re conditioned to fear death, thinking and talking about it is instrumental to creating meaningful lives.
Black Excellence: Barbara Walker
https://www.barbarawalker.co.uk/index.php/info/about/ Barbara Walker MBE, RA is a British artist based in Birmingham in the UK. Her work is informed by the social, political and cultural realities that affect her life and the lives of those around her.
Black Excellence: Noo Saro-Wiwa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noo_Saro-Wiwa Noo Saro-Wiwa is a British-Nigerian author, noted for her travel writing. She is the daughter of Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Black Excellence: Denyce Graves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denyce_Graves Denyce Graves (born March 7, 1964) is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer.
Black Excellence: Moïse Manoël-Florisse
https://76crimes.com/author/moise-manoel/ Moïse Manoël-Florisse, is an African-Caribbean online journalist keeping an eye on human rights abuses in French-speaking areas.
Black Excellence: Faith Ringgold
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/13/685930840/faith-ringgold-quilt-and-visual-artist-dies-at-93 Artist Faith Ringgold, well known for her story quilts depicting African American experiences, has died. She was 93.
Black Excellence: Glenn Alexander II
https://www.glennalexanderii.com/biography A versatile conductor, pianist, producer and arranger, Glenn Alexander II, is a rising star whose unique musicality spans multiple genres.
Black Excellence: Robert Taylor
https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/we-cry-power/robert-taylor/
Black Excellence: Aimee Salmon
https://positivelyafricana.com/meet-aimee/ Aimee Salmon, the founder of Positively Africana, is a business owner, certified fitness instructor, college graduate, and advocate for mental well-being and education in the United States.
Black Excellence: Mary Sibande
https://www.marysibande.com/biography-cv/
Black Excellence: Gaye Adegbalola
https://adegbalola.com/bio/
Black Excellence: Kat Riggins
https://katriggins.com/bio Inspired by the variety and abundance of music in her parents’ collection, it makes sense that her own music is peppered with hints of it all. Make no mistake; however, Kat Riggins is undeniably a BLUES WOMAN! She travels the world with the sole mission of keeping the blues…
Black Excellence: Percival Everett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percival_Everett Percival Everett (born December 22, 1956)[1] is an American writer[2] and Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California. He is best known for his novels Erasure (2001), I Am Not Sidney Poitier (2009), and The Trees (2021), which was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. Erasure…
Black Excellence: Dara Tucker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dara_Tucker Dara Tucker (Dara Starr Tucker) is an American singer, songwriter, social commentator and satirist. Tucker has released four studio albums: All Right Now (2009), Soul Said Yes (2011)[1] The Sun Season (2014), and Oklahoma Rain (2017), as well as a limited-release, live album, Dara Tucker Live in 2013. She…
Black Excellence: Wes Moore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Moore Westley Watende Omari Moore (born October 15, 1978) is an American politician, businessman, author, and veteran, serving as the 63rd governor of Maryland since 2023.
Black Excellence: Melba Pattillo Beals
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/02/1242106502/beyonce-beatles-blackbird-little-rock-nine Beyoncé’s recent cover of The Beatles classic “Blackbird” was especially profound to listeners who know that the song pays homage to the Little Rock Nine — a group of Black students who were at the center of the fight to desegregate public schools in the United States. Her version,…
Black Excellence: Thandiswa Mazwai
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1241589647/thandiswa-mazwai-tiny-desk-meets-globalfest-2024 Thandiswa Mazwai is one of post-apartheid South Africa’s most influential musicians. For nearly 30 years, she has championed a kind of dance music called Kwaito. The South African genre mixes a variety of rhythms and influences, including hip-hop, reggae, jazz and house music.
Black Excellence: Vaughan Gething
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/21/1239835813/wales-first-black-leader-uk-europe-vaughan-gething A Zambian-born lawyer has become the first Black head of government in Wales, in the United Kingdom — and in all of Europe.
Black Excellence: Janel Diaz
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/31/1241386011/florida-trans-rights-activist-book-ban-rupaul A Florida activist creates safe spaces as laws and rhetoric turn against trans rights. Janel Diaz founded Capital Tea after she struggled during her own transition to find transgender support organizations in Florida’s capital city.
Black Excellence: Cubicle Comedians Nicole Daniels, DeAndre Brown and Lisa Beasley
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/20/1238810380/comedy-tiktok-cubicle-comedian-black-creator-corporate-america They lampoon American corporate culture — and the internet is here for it
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Cubicle Comedians Nicole Daniels, DeAndre Brown and Lisa Beasley
Black Excellence: Corey Jones
https://www.prismwork.com/news-and-insights/prismwork-co-founder-corey-jones-succeeds-lisen-stromberg-as-ceo (Plano, Texas, January 20, 2024) PrismWork, a leadership and workplace transformation consultancy, announced today that co-founder Corey Jones will transition from the position of Chief Innovation Officer to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Black Excellence: Uganda Women Birders
https://ugandawomenbirders.org/demo-about/
Black Excellence: Sethembile Mzesane
https://www.sethembile-msezane.com/about Sethembile Msezane was born in 1991 in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. She lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa. She was awarded a Masters in Fine Arts in 2017 from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, where she also completed her Bachelor of Fine…
Black Excellence: Charmaine Nelson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charmaine_Nelson Charmaine Andrea Nelson (born 1971) is a Canadian art historian, educator, author, and independent curator.
Black Excellence: Gail Ann Dorsey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Ann_Dorsey Gail Ann Dorsey (born November 20, 1962) is an American musician. With a long career as a session musician mainly on bass guitar, she performed regularly in David Bowie’s band, from 1995 to Bowie’s last tour in 2004.
Black Excellence: Kenneth Temple
https://kennethtemple.com/
Black Excellence: Meiko Temple
https://meikoandthedish.com/about-meiko/ Consider me your culinary companion, your stovetop sis, or, your homegirl that can cook her behind off. Armed with my intuition, experience, and plenty of seasoning, I aim to give you inspiration, confidence in the kitchen, and unforgettable meals.
Black Excellence: Debbi Morgan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbi_Morgan Deborah Ann Morgan[note 1] is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
Black Excellence: Dr. Dena Jennings
https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/2022-folklife-demo/2022/9/6/dr-dena-jennings Gourd Instrument MakingNasons, VA Dena Jennings is a physician and artist in Central Virginia.
Black Excellence: Nicole M. Young-Martin
Oscar nominee for best film, ‘American Fiction,’ makes western Massachusetts writer feel seen Local writer, Nicole M. Young-Martin: “I want to write what I want to write without having to always strut my struggle for a paycheck.”
Black Excellence: Jordan Ward
Meet Jordan Ward, The Dancer-Turned-Musician Bringing a New Wave to Hip-Hop Billboard spoke with Jordan Ward about his new debut album FORWARD, St. Louis and adjusting to the pace of the music industry.
Black Excellence: Cush Jumbo
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/25/1233771318/actor-cush-jumbo-on-criminal-record-her-series-about-londons-detective-force Actor Cush Jumbo on ‘Criminal Record’, her series about London’s detective force
Black Excellence: Melody Angel
https://www.melodyangelmusic.com/band Melody Angel (her real name) is the complete package: gifted guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist, arranger, and producer. Along the way Angel found time to launch a successful theater and film acting career and received international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The Chicago Reader newspaper called…
Black Excellence: Jaedyn Shaw
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaedyn_Shaw Jaedyn Reese Shaw (born November 20, 2004) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team.
Black Excellence: Allison Loggins-Hull
https://allisonloggins.com/about/
Black Excellence: Michele Val Jean
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Val_Jean Michele Val Jean (b. 1950s) is an American television writer on the CBS Daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
Black Excellence: Jelani Cobb
https://journalism.columbia.edu/faculty/jelani-cobb Jelani Cobb joined the Journalism School faculty in 2016 and became Dean in 2022. He has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2015. He received a Peabody Award for his 2020 PBS Frontline film Whose Vote Counts? and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in…
Black Excellence: Gus and Emma Thompson
https://kevinashley.substack.com/p/gus-and-emma-thompson-1886-1958 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-chinese-family-coronado-california-rcna140717 Black couple rented to a Chinese American family when nobody would. Now, they’re donating $5M to Black community. The Dongs are selling the home their family rented and eventually bought from Gus Thompson, a former slave, and his wife, Emma. The Dongs will donate the proceeds to Black…
Black Excellence: Janice Burgess
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/janice-burgess-dead-the-backyardigans-1235930886/ Janice Burgess, creator of Nickelodeon’s “The Backyardigans,” died on Saturday in hospice care in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. She was 72.
Black Excellence: Justin Harrington (aka Demeanor)
https://1beat.org/people/demeanor/
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Justin Harrington (aka Demeanor)
Black Excellence: Francia Márquez
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francia_M%C3%A1rquez Francia Elena Márquez Mina (born 1 December 1981)[5] is a Colombian human-rights and environmental activist and lawyer, who is the 13th and current Vice President of Colombia.
Black Excellence: Marsha Lindsey
https://www.boston.com/food/cocktail-club/2021/09/21/srv-marsha-lindsey/
Black Excellence: Tanner Adell
https://www.bet.com/article/nc6fxt/meet-tanner-adell-the-new-queen-of-glam-country Meet Tanner Adell, The New Queen of Glam Country Blending Hollywood’s high fashion with rodeo roots, Adell talks about redefining country music, while her hit “Buckle Bunny” champions women and challenges stereotypes.
Black Excellence: Linda Martell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Martell Linda Martell (born Thelma Bynem; June 4, 1941) is an American singer. She became the first commercially successful black female artist in the country music field and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry. As one of the first African-American country performers, Martell helped influence the careers of…
Black Excellence: Rissi Palmer
https://rissipalmermusic.com/bio Rissi Palmer’s gift lies in reaching across all musical boundaries. While she made her mark in Country Music, she is equally at home in R&B music, bringing the entire spectrum of popular music to bear on music she calls “Southern Soul.”
Black Excellence: Reyna Roberts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reyna_Roberts Reyna Roberts is an American country singer-songwriter and pianist. She is known for her July 2020 debut single, “Stompin’ Grounds” as well as multiple appearances on NFL’s Monday Night Football.
Black Excellence: Brittney Spencer
https://www.brittneyspencer.com/ As a Baltimore native, Brittney Spencer is known for her free spirit and standout ability to mold life, truth, and wild imagination into songs.
Black Excellence: Kelela
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/23/1232446014/tiny-desk-concert-kelela Kelela took her opportunity at the Tiny Desk to create something new. She swapped key pieces from her recordings (hard drums and effects) for a harp and piano. She also presented us with a challenge or two as well.
Black Excellence in Nuclear Activism
https://www.globalzero.org/updates/black-excellence-in-nuclear-activism/
Black Excellence: Simbarashe Cha
https://www.nytco.com/press/simbarashe-cha-joins-the-times/ Simbarashe has been a contributor to The Times since 2020, when he began photographing for the Metro section. He went on to write about and capture street style and fashion in his Fashion Week Diaries and Style Outside columns. He has photographed and reported for The Times from New…
Black Excellence: Patrice Clarke Washington
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Washington Patrice Washington (born 1961) is a Bahamian airplane pilot, whose career was marked by a series of firsts.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Patrice Clarke Washington
Black Excellence: Hyacinth Burrows
https://publichealth.nyu.edu/podcast/iamgph/ep133-climate-change-and-disease-elimination-hyacinth-burrows Hyacinth is currently pursuing her masters at NYU GPH, specializing in environmental public health sciences, where she’s also a William N. Rom climate fellow, actively working on projects related to climate change and global health. Besides all her academic pursuit, Hyacinth volunteers for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action…
Black Excellence: John Berry and Mary Meachum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Berry_Meachum John Berry Meachum (1789–1854) was an American pastor, businessman, educator and founder of the First African Baptist Church in St. Louis, the oldest black church west of the Mississippi River. At a time when it was illegal in the city to teach people of color to read and write,…
Continue Reading Black Excellence: John Berry and Mary Meachum
Black Excellence: Allison Russell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allison_Russell Allison Russell is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and activist. Prior to her solo music career, Russell performed as a member of various music groups including Po’ Girl,[1] Birds of Chicago,[2] Our Native Daughters[3] and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon.[4]
Black Excellence: Raeghn Draper
https://www.raeghn.com/about-me I am a writer, community organizer, and hospitality worker based in Chicago. I am the oldest of eight siblings born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in a low-income household. My younger siblings are foundational to who I am and my values. Despite facing many challenges, I graduated college…
Black Excellence: African Americans Against the Bomb
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/fighting-freedom-fighting-against-bomb-african-americans-and-the-campaign-nuclear-free-world-1945/
Continue Reading Black Excellence: African Americans Against the Bomb
Black Excellence: Hydeia Broadbent
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/21/1233022530/hydeia-broadbent-hiv-aids-activist-dies-age-39?ft=nprml&f=191676894 Hydeia Broadbent, known for raising awareness to lessen the stigma around HIV/AIDS from a young age, has died at 39 years old. She was one of the faces of children with AIDS in America, especially within the African American community.
Black Excellence: Daymé Arocena
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daym%C3%A9_Arocena Daymé Arocena (born January 1992) is an Afro-Cubanjazz singer from Havana,[1][2][3] who has been described as Cuba’s “finest young female singer.”[4] She will perform at Mass MoCA on March 9, 2024!
Black Excellence: Nailah Hunter
https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2024/02/15/1231822525/black-futures-nailah-hunter-forges-her-own-dark-fantasy-on-lovegaze Los Angeles-based harpist and composer,Nailah Hunter forges her own dark fantasy on ‘Lovegaze’
Black Excellence: Korva Coleman
https://www.witf.org/2022/11/10/nprs-newscaster-korva-coleman-shares-her-story-and-the-inner-workings-of-npr/ Korva Coleman, award winning newscaster for NPR, from Phoenix, Arizona is known for writing, producing, and delivering daily national newscasts airing during NPR’s news magazines, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.
Black Excellence: Makoy Samuel Yibi
https://www.exemplars.health/stories/how-south-sudan-is-ending-guinea-worm-disease National Director of South Sudan’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program https://www.gatesnotes.com/Heroes-in-the-Field-Makoy-Samuel-Yibi
Black Excellence: Nina Mae McKinney
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Mae_McKinney Nina Mae McKinney (June 12, 1912 – May 3, 1967) was an American actress who worked internationally during the 1930s and in the postwar period in theatre, film and television, after beginning her career on Broadway and in Hollywood.
Black Excellence: Titus Kaphar
Titus Kaphar is an artist whose paintings, sculptures, and installations examine the history of representation by transforming its styles and mediums with formal innovations to emphasize the physicality and dimensionality of the canvas and materials themselves.
Black Excellence: Dr. Ursula McMillian
https://www.cooleydickinson.org/doctors-providers/ursula-mcmillian-md/
Black Excellence: Faith Nolan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_Nolan Faith Nolan (born 1957) is a Canadian social activist, folk and jazz singer-songwriter and guitarist of mixed African, Mi’kmaq, and Irish heritage. She currently resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Black Excellence: Shakerra Monét
https://www.smonet.co/about Shakerra Monét is a contemporary artist based out of Denver, but a St. Louis native. Completing her studies in fashion design and merchandise, Monét soon realized her true desire to create art in other mediums outside of design.
Black Excellence: Kristen Welker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristen_Welker Kristen Welker (born July 1, 1976[1]) is an American television journalist working for NBC News. She serves as a White House correspondent based in Washington, D.C.,[2] and served as co-anchor of Weekend Today, the Saturday edition of Today, alongside Peter Alexander from 2020 to 2023. She took over hosting…
Black Excellence: Arturo Schomburg
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/arturo-schomburg-cookbook The story that Arturo Schomburg would often tell went something like this: When he was a child in late 19th-century Puerto Rico, his 5th-grade teacher told him that Black people had no history, no heroes, and no great moments. The remark filled him with fury. He’d been born to…
Black Excellence: Margaret and Matilda Peters
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/peters-margaret-1915-2004-and-matilda-1917-2003/
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Margaret and Matilda Peters
Black Excellence: Alice Randall
https://www.alicerandall.com/about#bio Alice Randall is a New York Times best-selling novelist, award-winning songwriter, educator, and food activist.
Black Excellence: My Black Country, the Songs of Alice Randall
https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/my-black-country-the-songs-of-alice-randall-out-april-12-on-oh-boy-records Collaborative Album Celebrates the Black Female Experience in Country and Folk Music with Contributions from Rhiannon Giddens, Valerie June, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, Sunny War, Adia Victoria and More
Continue Reading Black Excellence: My Black Country, the Songs of Alice Randall
Black Excellence: Alfred L. Cralle
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/cralle-alfred-l-1866-1920/
Black Excellence: Marion Turner
https://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/stories-of-our-lgbtqi-ancestors-marion-turner-of-florence-massachusetts-1898-1903/ https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/10/sexual_minority_archives_uncov.html A century before same-sex marriage, the Gay Pride March and RuPaul’s Drag Race reality TV show, Marion Turner walked the streets of Northampton—dressed as a woman.
Black Excellence: Morgan Bullock
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Bullock Morgan Bullock is an American Irish dancer, known for her Irish dance remix of rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Savage”, which went viral on TikTok and Instagram in May 2020.[1]
Black Excellence: Black History Month at Holyoke Community College
Holyoke Community College hosts diverse events for Black History Month HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Holyoke Community College (HCC) is embracing the theme of “African Americans and the Arts” for Black History Month, with a lineup of events throughout February.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Black History Month at Holyoke Community College
Black Excellence: Gladys Bentley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Bentley Gladys Alberta Bentley (August 12, 1907 – January 18, 1960)[1] was an American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance.
Black Excellence: Pauline Black
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Black Belinda Magnus OBE DL (born 23 October 1953), better known as Pauline Black (Listenⓘ), is an English singer, actress and author. In a music career spanning over 40 years, Black came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the 2 Tone ska revival band the…
Black Excellence: Ebony Williams
https://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/faculty/ebony-williams Boradway Dance Center Teacher Bio Ebony Williams comes from Boston, Massachusetts, where she trained with the Boston Ballet from age eight through high school. She also attended the Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts. She is a May 2005 graduate of the Boston Conservatory with a Bachelor of Fine…
Black Excellence: Chae Campbell
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/dallas-fort-worth/news/2023/04/18/four-time-all-american-chae-campbell-reflects-on-her-journey-to-become-a-bruin Chae Campbell is a four-time All-American gymnast for the UCLA Bruins She is a Carrollton, Texas, native and grew up watching the 2010 UCLA national championship team, which inspired her to compete for the Bruins herselfCampbell was a main contributor to UCLA’s success this season, reaching the national stage…
Black Excellence: Philip Rutledge
https://blogs.iu.edu/oneillschool/2023/02/24/philip-rutledge-a-pracademic-who-continues-to-serve-as-a-role-model/
Black Excellence: Aaron L. Williams
https://aaronlwilliams.com/?page_id=5571 Aaron L Williams is a film producer/director/writer, software architect, and musician native to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Black Excellence: Frantz Casseus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frantz_Casseus Frantz Casseus (14 December 1915 – 3 June 1993)[1] was a Haitian-American guitarist and composer. Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he spent most of his adult life in the United States where he immigrated in 1946 hoping to meet pianist Fats Waller.[2]
Black Excellence: Leyla McCalla
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/20/1128713485/leyla-mccalla-tiny-desk-concert?ft=nprml&f=1002 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyla_McCalla Leyla Sarah McCalla[1] (born October 3,[2] 1985)[3] is an American classical and folk musician.[4] She was a cellist with the Grammy Award-winning[5] string band Carolina Chocolate Drops,[6] but left to focus on her solo career.[7]
Black Excellence: Fulton County, Georgia Election Workers
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/27/1227116952/fulton-county-ga-2024-election-workers They watched 2 election workers face abuse, and it’s compelling them to serve in 2024
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Fulton County, Georgia Election Workers
Black Excellence: Freddie Taylor
https://sankofaclub.com/bios/ Founder and CEO of Urban Intellectuals and Sankofa Club Visionary, entrepreneur and philanthropist; just a few words that describe, Freddie E. Taylor, founder and CEO of Urban Intellectuals(UI). Spurred by the lack of Black history instruction that his sons received in grammar school, Freddie knew the onus was on…
Black Excellence: Kara Jackson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Jackson Kara Jackson is from Oak Park, Illinois and attended Oak Park River Forest High School, where she participated in spoken word.[1][2][3] Jackson also participated in a jazz ensemble at Merit School of Music, and was the Youth Poet Laureate of Chicago in 2018.[4][5][6] She performed at the Louder Than…
Black Excellence: The Pan African Historical Museum USA–Springfield, MA
https://www.pahmusa.org/ PAHMUSA (The Pan African Historical Museum USA) is a hidden gem. It was founded in 1995 by Lujuana Hood. Her mission to help preserve the local history of African Americans continued today. Executive Director Sam Bradley and his team continue building on the foundation Ms. Hood established by offering…
Continue Reading Black Excellence: The Pan African Historical Museum USA–Springfield, MA
Black Excellence: BLK ODYSSY
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/24/1226124818/tiny-desk-concert-blk-odyssy The BLK ODYSSY aesthetic ignites all of the human senses and it’s impossible to nail down exactly what type of music he makes after one, two or even three listens. When he arrived at NPR headquarters, Juwan Elcock, aka BLK ODYSSY, pulled out a lifelike severed human head made…
Black Excellence: Phillis Wheatley
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/phillis-wheatley Phillis Wheatley Peters was one of the best-known poets in pre-19th century America
Black Excellence: Dr. Uché Blackstock
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/22/1226047324/uche-blackstock-legacy-racism-medicine Following in her mom’s footsteps, a doctor fights to make medicine more inclusive
Black Excellence: The Black Legacy Project
https://www.theblacklegacyproject.org/about The Black Legacy Project is a musical celebration of Black history to advance racial solidarity, equity, and belonging.
Black Excellence: Oussouby Sacko
https://social-innovation.hitachi/en/article/colors-oussouby-sacko/ Japan’s first university head from Africa on Multiculturalism and Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Black Excellence: African American Seamen of the Antebellum Era
https://rediscovering-black-history.blogs.archives.gov/2021/11/10/african-american-seamen-of-the-antebellum-era/ Using Seamen’s Protection Certificates to Document Early Black Mariners
Continue Reading Black Excellence: African American Seamen of the Antebellum Era
Black Excellence: Martin Luther King is not your mascot
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2024/01/14/1224059925/martin-luther-king-day-legacy For decades, everyone and their mother has tried to get a piece of that sweet, sweet MLK Pie, from car companies to banks to pop stars to politicians (no matter their actual politics).
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Martin Luther King is not your mascot
Black Excellence: Marla Gibbs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marla_Gibbs#Biography Marla Gibbs (born Margaret Bradley; June 14, 1931)[1] is an American actress, singer, comedian, writer and television producer whose career spans seven decades.
Black Excellence: Holly Edgell
https://www.kcur.org/people/holly-edgell Holly Edgell is the managing editor of the Midwest Newsroom, a public radio collaboration among NPR member stations in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.