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: Dr. Kelechi R. Okoroha
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/okoroha-kelechi-r-m-d/bio-20509737 Kelechi R. Okoroha, M.D., is a fellowship‐trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in Hip Arthroscopy and sports medicine. His clinical focus includes: Hip Arthroscopy Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) Hip Labral repair Shoulder Instability Shoulder Labral repair Cartilage & meniscus restoration surgery ACL reconstruction surgery shoulder replacement surgery Management of injuries in the…
Black Excellence: Taylor Electric Cares
https://poweringchicago.com/taylor-electric-cares-black-women-electricians/
Black Excellence: David Walker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Walker_(abolitionist) David Walker (September 28, 1796 – August 6, 1830)[a] was an American abolitionist, writer, and anti-slavery activist.
Black Excellence: Aja Monet
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/01/1215359803/aja-monet-tiny-desk-concert?ft=nprml&f=1039 Djembe. Drums. Piano and bass. A sweeping groove beckoned, welcoming us into the world of surrealist blues poet, Aja Monet. Transformed into a lush garden, the Tiny Desk blooms with the stanzas, sounds and legacy of jazz poetry.
Black Excellence: Sean Mason
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/22/1124299403/youngbloods-pianist-sean-mason?ft=nprml&f=347174538 For pianist Sean Mason, it’s about the melody and the dance
Black Excellence: Michal Worke
https://www.goodman-gallery.com/exhibitions/johannesburg-gallery-michal-worke-what-we-left-behind-2023 Worke is a Tel Aviv based artist who moved at age three from Ethiopia to Israel (via Sudan) as part of “Operation Moses”, a covert evacuation of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in the 1980s. This experience has profoundly shaped her studio practice. https://collection.africafirst.art/artists/artist/392305
Black Excellence: Nilea Alexander and Lamine Diagne
https://nowthisnews.com/news/this-couple-paired-their-love-and-business-expertise-into-a-cafe-retail-and-nail-salon-in This couple paired their love and business expertise into a cafe, retail, and nail salon in Brooklyn At Rue Dix Brooklyn, you can treat yourself to good food, self care, and a shopping spree.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Nilea Alexander and Lamine Diagne
Black Excellence: Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin
https://www.nonstndrd.com/about-nonstndrd/ Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin is a photographer, artist, and designer based in Los Angeles, California.
Black Excellence: Isaretta Lee Riley
https://medicine.duke.edu/profile/isaretta-lee-riley Dr. Isaretta Lee Riley, Duke University School of Medicine, is a pulmonologist committed to eliminating disparities in health outcomes and quality of life of adults living with asthma.
Black Excellence: Michelle Alexander
https://newjimcrow.com/about-the-author
Black Excellence: Gale Livingstone
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/11/22/woman-leaves-her-white-collar-job-become-first-generation-farmer/?fbclid=IwAR1YTPz2bS0IpwN-CuXBS6W-C_q6ZDIU5KdqK1dV8MTLVAd_pxUTpXmQ7ys Woman leaves her white-collar job to become first-generation farmer
Black Excellence: Teyonah Parris
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teyonah_Parris Teyonah Parris (/tiˈɒnə/tee-ON-ə;[1] born September 22, 1987)[2] is an American actress. A graduate of Juilliard School, she began acting in 2010. Her first prominent role was playing secretary Dawn Chambers in the AMC drama series Mad Men (2012–2015) and starring in the 2014 independent film Dear White People.
Black Excellence: Zandashé Brown
https://www.zandashe.com/about Zandashé Brown is a New Orleans based writer/director born-and-bred in and inspired by southern Louisiana. Her work raises a Black femme lens to the tradition of Southern Gothic Horror by exploring the axis of self-excavation, spirituality, and lived experience in the American South.
Black Excellence: Taraja Ramsess
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/taraja-ramsess-dead-marvel-stunt-performer-1235638289/ Taraja Ramsess, a stunt performer and set dresser with credits including Fast & Furious, Avengers and Black Panther movies, died on Halloween in a car crash in Atlanta that also claimed the lives of three of his children. He was 41.
Black Excellence: Bill Withers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Withers William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He had several hits over a career spanning 18 years, including “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971), “Grandma’s Hands” (1971), “Use Me” (1972), “Lean on Me” (1972), “Lovely Day” (1977) and “Just the Two…
Black Excellence: Black History Saturdays
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/22/1210081145/oklahoma-race–school-black-teachers Oklahoma restricted how race can be taught. So these Black teachers stepped up
Black Excellence: Art X
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/11/18/1212950660/africas-flourishing-art-scene-is-a-smash-hit-at-art-x Africa’s flourishing art scene is a smash hit at Art X
Black Excellence: Uzoamaka Emeka Nzelibe
https://www.law.northwestern.edu/faculty/profiles/uzoamakanzelibe/ Uzoamaka Emeka Nzelibe is a Clinical Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She directs the Seigle Immigration Clinic for Immigrant Youth and Families, which is part of the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Children and Family Justice Center.
Black Excellence: Otherie Love
https://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/news-center/inquiry/2011-fall/alumni-profile.html In 1941 when Otherie Love did her student teaching as a Northwestern University education major, she became the first African American student teacher in the Evanston schools. She recalls that at the school where she taught all the children were black, but all the teachers were white.
Black Excellence: Beverly Watts-Davis
https://www.eventscribe.net/2023/NatCon23/fsPopup.asp?efp=Qk5RSFhGWUsxODg0NA&PresenterID=1483255&rnd=0.294659&mode=presenterinfo Chief Officer for Program Support and Senior Vice President for TexasWestCare Foundation/Westcare TexasSan Antonio, Texas
Black Excellence: Black planners in walkability and mobility justice
https://americawalks.org/black-history-month-is-more-than-a-month/
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Black planners in walkability and mobility justice
Black Excellence: LaParis Phillips
https://nowthisnews.com/news/brooklyn-blooms-floral-designer With Brooklyn Blooms, LaParis Phillips is infusing her own sense of style — plus the ‘funky’ and ‘spicy’ vibe of Brooklyn — into every bouquet.
Black Excellence: Felicia W Shaw
https://www.sandiegoracc.org/committee Executive Director, San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition A seasoned professional in the field of nonprofit arts management, Felicia’s career has spanned more than 30 years and has included an executive leadership position with the Regional Arts Commission of St Louis, and director positions with the San Diego…
Black Excellence: Kevin Hart
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/15/1212862110/kevin-hart-mark-twain-prize Kevin Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize — humor’s highest honor
Black Excellence: André 3000
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/14/1212661071/andre-3000-album Interview: André 3000 reveals why his new solo album has no bars — and no boundaries
Black Excellence: Kyra Kyles
https://yr.media/leadership/
Black Excellence: Dr. Anita Thomas
https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/presidential-search/meet-the-president Meet Dr. Anita Thomas, 11th president of North Central College
Black Excellence: De’Shawn Washington
https://www.wcvb.com/article/lexington-massachusetts-teacher-of-the-year/45737154?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwAR2-fcXqhS3GN0vEwjYuJBxwGorxRSl-FHAgEr3DJAmi94o2IraPbfLtRZM# Meet the fourth-grade teacher named ‘Massachusetts Teacher of the Year’
Black Excellence: Cherelle Parker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherelle_Parker Cherelle Lesley Parker (born September 10, 1972)[1] is an American politician and Mayor-elect of Philadelphia. She defeated David Oh as the Democratic nominee in the 2023 Philadelphia mayoral election. When sworn in on January 2, 2024, she will be the first woman to hold the position.[2][3]
Black Excellence: Dr. Charles S. Modlin Jr.
https://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/s/1479/02-naa/16/landing.aspx?sid=1479&gid=2&pgid=43071 Charles S. Modlin Jr. ’83, ’87 MD is a urologist at MetroHealth, a Cleveland, Ohio-based health system. A national health equity leader, he also is vice president and chief health equity officer at MetroHealth, developing innovative programs that strengthen an inclusive and diverse culture and promote health equity for…
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Dr. Charles S. Modlin Jr.
Black Excellence: Cyzon Griffin
https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/New-York-Native-Cyzon-Griffin-Wins-Blue-Man-Group-Boston-Drum-Off-20190709 Cyzon Griffin, 23, from the Bronx, NY was crowned the winner in 2019 of the 6th annual Blue Man Group Boston Drum-Off. He is now the drummer for Moon Hooch.
Black Excellence: Heather Harding
https://www.campaignsharedfuture.org/about Heather Harding, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future. She is responsible for the overall health, sustainability, and success of COSF’s work.
Black Excellence: Baylor Henry
https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2023/10/20/you-belong-here-thats-what-i-tell-other-black-women-who-row ‘You belong here’: That’s what I tell other Black women who row
Black Excellence: Sonja B. Favors
https://www.nsbe.org/Professionals/Special-Interest-Groups-(SIG)/Environmental-Engineering Environmental Engineering Special Interest Group Director at the National Society of Black Engineers
Black Excellence: Rural Black Tech Professionals
https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/spotlighting-rural-black-tech-professionals/ How Black tech professionals are building careers in rural America
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Rural Black Tech Professionals
Black Excellence: Veronica O. Davis
https://www.veronicao.com/mystory I’m a transportation guru located in Houston. I’m currently the Director of Transportation & Drainage Operations for the City of Houston.
Black Excellence: Nailah Pope-Harden
https://www.climateplan.org/staff_profiles Nailah (nah-EE-lah) is the Executive Director of ClimatePlan.
Black Excellence: Black Surfers at Rockaway Beach
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/15/how-new-yorks-rockaway-beach-became-a-harbor-for-black-surfers How New York’s Rockaway Beach became a harbor for Black surfers
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Black Surfers at Rockaway Beach
Black Excellence: Richard Roundtree
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/25/1208391418/richard-roundtree-star-of-shaft-dies-at-81?ft=nprml&f=1062 Richard Roundtree, star of ‘Shaft,’ dies at 81
Black Excellence: Mollie Moon
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/30/1209018407/mollie-moon-our-secret-society-tanisha-ford How Black socialite Mollie Moon raised millions to fund the civil rights movement
Black Excellence: Michael February
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/1380/michael-february Michael February is a professional surfer from South Africa.
Black Excellence: Clara Hale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Hale Clara McBride Hale (April 1, 1905 – December 18, 1992), also known as Mother Hale, was an American humanitarian who founded the Hale House Center, a home for disadvantaged children and children who were born addicted to drugs.
Black Excellence: Magic City Classic
https://wbhm.org/2023/at-the-magic-city-classic-what-you-wear-is-just-as-important-as-who-you-cheer-for/
Black Excellence: Ludovic Nkoth
https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2022/11/30/ludovic-nkoth-young-artists-2023-black-masculinity Ludovic Nkoth’s Nudes Might Surprise You The Cameroonian painter Ludovic Nkoth translates feelings of displacement into vibrantly painted canvases—and he’s taking them all to Paris.
Black Excellence: Heman Bekele
https://afrotech.com/heman-bekele-named-americas-top-young-scientist Heman Bekele, The 14-Year-Old Behind Skin Cancer Treating Soap, Has Been Named ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’
Black Excellence: Vi Redd
https://twssmagazine.com/2020/12/15/vi-redd-the-under-recorded-over-looked-empress-of-jazz/
Black Excellence: Sheila Crump Johnson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Johnson Sheila Crump Johnson (born January 25, 1949) is an American businesswoman, co-founder of BET, CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, and the first billionaire African-American woman.[1]
Black Excellence: Rev. Willie T. Ramey, Warren County Citizens Concerned About PCBs
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/1198908047/climate-action-environmentalism-history How everyday people started a movement that’s shaping climate action to this day
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Rev. Willie T. Ramey, Warren County Citizens Concerned About PCBs
Black Excellence: Willard Wigan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_Wigan Willard Wigan, MBE (born June 1957) is a British sculptor from Ashmore Park Estate, Wednesfield, England, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who makes micro miniature sculptures. His sculptures are typically placed in the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. A single sculpture can be…
Black Excellence: Upending AI stereotypes
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/10/06/1201840678/ai-was-asked-to-create-images-of-black-african-docs-treating-white-kids-howd-it- AI was asked to create images of Black African docs treating white kids. How’d it go?
Black Excellence: Ilyasah Shabazz
https://news.worcester.edu/ilyasah-shabazz-returns-to-worcester-state-as-dei-fellow/
Black Excellence: Regina Green and FRESHFARM FoodPrints Class
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/09/1204077086/can-cooking-and-gardening-at-school-inspire-better-nutrition-ask-these-kids?ft=nprml&f=103537970 Can cooking and gardening at school inspire better nutrition? Ask these kids.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Regina Green and FRESHFARM FoodPrints Class
Black Excellence: Fred Richard
https://www.wcvb.com/article/fred-richard-gymnastics-world-championships-team-usa-bronze-medal/45474822?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwAR1kFyMP8ZkBylaSRO1ljjEadLj43zBlMV40thnLqk0zVWfTYYUCFYhnecw# Fred Richard, a 19-year-old from Massachusetts, became the youngest U.S. men’s gymnast to earn an individual medal at the world championships by earning a surprising bronze in the all-around.
Black Excellence: MA Association of Haitian Parents
https://mahaitianparent.org/ As the Massachusetts Association of Haitian Parents, we advocate on behalf of students and families in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: MA Association of Haitian Parents
Black Excellence: Alabama congressional map
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/1203309716/alabama-2024-congressional-map Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Alabama congressional map
Black Excellence: Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Ross-Lee Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O. (born June 1, 1942) is an American physician, academic, and the first African-American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school
Black Excellence: Ciara Imani May of Rebundle
https://rebundle.co/pages/our-roots After suffering from one-too-many itchy scalps while wearing her favorite protective styles, Ciararealized she deserved better and set out on a mission to find it for all of us.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Ciara Imani May of Rebundle
Black Excellence: Springfield’s Inner-City Youth Scuba Diving Team
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/10/learning-to-swim-will-end-with-trip-to-bahamas-for-these-springfield-youths.html?utm_campaign=masslivenews_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1ZcCRmfUgiAFmqBJe84Ndua2itsfnsCzufW462_rVnD2V11Chn-tFUs-E Learning to swim will end with trip to Bahamas for these Springfield youths
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Springfield’s Inner-City Youth Scuba Diving Team
Black Excellence: The BRAND Label
https://www.thebrand-label.com/pages/about-us The BRAND Label is a fashion line created for women in search of who they are today and who they are destined to become through their unique sense of style and creativity.
Black Excellence: May Edward Chinn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Edward_Chinn May Edward Chinn (April 15, 1896 – December 1, 1980) was an African-American woman physician. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, now NYU School of Medicine, and the first African-American woman to intern at Harlem Hospital. In her private practice, she provided…
Black Excellence: Afro-descendant women in Mexico
https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2023/09/25/1199680050/women-of-the-sea-afro-descendants-honor-their-heritage-in-mexico Women of the Sea: Afro-descendants honor their heritage in Mexico
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Afro-descendant women in Mexico
Black Excellence: Michael Harriot
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/22/1201165246/book-review-michael-harriot-s-black-af-history?ft=nprml&f=1136 Michael Harriot’s ‘Black AF History’ could hardly come at a better time
Black Excellence: Purlie Victorious
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/27/1202025046/purlie-victorious-leslie-odom-jr-broadway The first revival of Ossie Davis’ satire on the Jim Crow south, Purlie Victorious: A Romp Through the Non-Confederate Cotton Patch, is opening on Broadway after a 62-year absence.
Black Excellence: Jericho Brown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho_Brown Jericho Brown (born April 14, 1976) is an American poet and writer. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Brown has worked as an educator at institutions such as University of Houston, University of San Diego, and Emory University.
Black Excellence: Laphonza Butler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laphonza_Butler Laphonza Romanique Butler (born 1978/1979)[2] is an American politician who currently is a United States senator-designate. She has served as president of EMILY’s List since 2021. On October 1, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he had chosen Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the…
Black Excellence: Howard P. Drew
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Drew Howard Porter Drew (June 28, 1890 – February 19, 1957) was an American track and field athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.[1]
Black Excellence: Leslie DeShazor
https://lesliedeshazor.com Named one of thirty Professional Movers and Shakers in the Performing Arts by Musical America in 2019 violist/violinist Leslie DeShazor is in demand as a soloist, teacher, and recording artist.
Black Excellence: Tigst Assefa
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/24/1201396142/tigst-assefa-smashes-the-womens-marathon-record-by-more-than-2-minutes Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa set a new women’s world record at the BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, smashing the previous top time by more than two minutes.
Black Excellence: Leslie Jones
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/21/1200560901/snl-leslie-jones-memoir Saturday Night Live alum Leslie Jones was a college freshman when a friend signed her up for the funniest person on campus contest. It was the first time she’d ever done stand-up, but Jones says grabbing the mic felt like putting on a shirt that fit perfectly.
Black Excellence: Major General Janeen Birckhead
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/24/1173815128/maryland-national-guard-janeen-birckhead-adjutant-general When applying to colleges, Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead and her mother exhausted every option possible to cover her tuition. For Birckhead, a career in the military was never something that crossed her mind. Little did she know her application for an ROTC scholarship at Hampton University in Virginia would…
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Major General Janeen Birckhead
Black Excellence: Victoria Scott-Miller
https://www.victoriascottmiller.com/ Victoria Scott-Miller is a Raleigh-based author, documentarian and owner of the trailblazing, independent, globally recognized Liberation Station Bookstore, specializing in children’s literature. https://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/liberation-station-opens-raleigh-nc-black-owned-children-book-store/
Black Excellence: Kevin Beasley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Beasley Kevin Beasley (born 1985 Lynchburg, Virginia) is an American artist working in sculpture, performance art, and sound installation. He is one of two winners of the 2023 Heinz Awards for the Arts.
Black Excellence: Tyra Hughley Smith
https://thetravelingesquire.com/meet-tyra/
Black Excellence: Charles Gayle
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/08/1198248630/charles-gayle-saxophonist-obit Charles Gayle, the fierce saxophonist who created his own path, has died at 84
Black Excellence: W. Kamau Bell
https://www.wkamaubell.com/about W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian, director, producer, and dad. For seven seasons, he was the host and executive producer of the five-time Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America.
Black Excellence: John Chiti
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/09/10/1198675534/a-new-netflix-film-follows-a-boy-growing-up-with-albinism-in-zambia He’s a singer, a cop and the inspiration for a Netflix film about albinism in Africa
Black Excellence: General Charles Q. Brown Jr.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Q._Brown_Jr. Charles Quinton Brown Jr. (born 1962) is a United States Air Force general who serves as the 22nd chief of staff of the Air Force. He was confirmed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/20/23.
Continue Reading Black Excellence: General Charles Q. Brown Jr.
Black Excellence: Zadie Smith
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/05/1197604421/zadie-smith-the-fraud In ‘The Fraud,’ Zadie Smith seeks to ‘do absolute justice to the truth’
Black Excellence: Missy Elliott
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/1195579648/missy-elliot-supa-dupa-fly?ft=nprml&f=1106 Missy Elliott made hip-hop ‘Supa Dupa Fly’
Black Excellence: Undra Duncan
https://citylifestyle.com/tulsa-ok/articles/beauty/step-into-the-world-of-undra-duncan If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a stunning, successful, high-fashion designer in New York, now is your chance for a glimpse. Undra Duncan, fashion designer and founder of Undra Celeste New York, shares a little bit of her world with us in her blog. Here are…
Black Excellence: Devin McCourty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devin_McCourty Devin McCourty (born August 13, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 13 seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).
Black Excellence: Porsha Olayiwola
https://www.porshaolayiwola.com/bio Porsha Olayiwola is a native of Chicago who writes, lives and loves in Boston. Olayiwola is a writer, performer, educator and curator who uses afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman, and queer diasporas.
Black Excellence: Dawn Staley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Staley Dawn Michelle Staley (born May 4, 1970)[1] is an American basketball Hall of Fame player and coach who is currently the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Black Excellence: Ruben Flowers Sr. and Ruben Flowers Jr.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/family-affair-air-southwest-pilot-son-recreate-cockpit-photo-29-years-later/PG244FTHN5EEBDWCNVY23WDZAM/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem_manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0xnOebAG77CKtI6vLEoOOr7JykRf_-P8lODu7wN6jwIdoyL6lsaG0nCDk Family affair in the air: Southwest pilot, son recreate cockpit photo 29 years later
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Ruben Flowers Sr. and Ruben Flowers Jr.
Black Excellence: Bobbi Humphrey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbi_Humphrey Barbara Ann “Bobbi” Humphrey (born April 25, 1950) is an American jazz flautist and singer.
Black Excellence: “Louder Than a Riot”
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/21/1194600651/louder-than-a-riot-hip-hop-sidney-madden-rodney-carmichael?ft=nprml&f=1106 ‘Louder Than A Riot’ reckons with hip-hop’s past and looks to a more inclusive future
Black Excellence: Linda Thomas-Greenfield
https://usun.usmission.gov/our-leaders/our-ambassador/ Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations as well as the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations on January 20, 2021.
Black Excellence: Addressing Bias in Artificial Intelligence
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1195662267/ai-is-biased-the-white-house-is-working-with-hackers-to-try-to-fix-that?ft=nprml&f=1014 AI is biased. The White House is working with hackers to try to fix that
Continue Reading Black Excellence: Addressing Bias in Artificial Intelligence
Black Excellence: Rhiannon Giddens
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/18/1194562265/artist-rhiannon-giddens-youre-the-one?ft=nprml&f=1106 Rhiannon Giddens is searching for a ‘little bit of joy to bounce into’
Black Excellence: Laulauga Tausaga-Collins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laulauga_Tausaga Laulauga Tausaga-Collins (born 22 May 1998 in Hawaii) is an American discus thrower.
Black Excellence: Awadagin Pratt
https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2023/08/25/1195487418/after-12-years-pianist-awadagin-pratt-rediscovers-his-sweet-spot?ft=nprml&f=1104 After 12 years, pianist Awadagin Pratt rediscovers his sweet spot
Black Excellence: Noname
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/28/1196323309/noname-sundial-review Noname’s ‘Sundial’ pursues a hip-hop revolution
Black Excellence: Nathan Louis Jackson
https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-08-26/kansas-city-playwright-nathan-louis-jackson-who-got-to-the-real-stuff-dies-at-44 Kansas City playwright Nathan Louis Jackson, who got to ‘the real stuff,’ dies at 44
Black Excellence: Isata Kanneh-Mason
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isata_Kanneh-Mason Isata Kanneh-Mason /ˈaɪsətəˌkɑnɛˈmeɪsən/[1] (born May 1996) is a British pianist.
Black Excellence: Black Tech Street
https://www.blacktechstreet.com/ Rebirthing Black Wall Street as the World’s premiere Black Innovation Economy
Black Excellence: Sha’Carri Richardson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sha%27Carri_Richardson Sha’Carri Richardson (/ʃəˈkɛri/shə-KERR-ee;[1] born March 25, 2000[2]) is an American track and fieldsprinter who competes in the 100 meters and 200 meters races.
Black Excellence: Sasheer Zamata
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/1195715525/sasheer-zamatas-new-special-is-an-ode-to-women-mental-health-and-witches Sasheer Zamata’s new special is an ode to women, mental health and witches.
Black Excellence: Bolaji Badejo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolaji_Badejo Bolaji Badejo (Listeni) (23 August 1953 – 22 December 1992) was a Nigerian visual artist[1] and actor. He was known for playing the Alien in Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien.[2]
Black Excellence: Jesmyn Ward
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesmyn_Ward Jesmyn Ward (born April 1, 1977)[1] is an American novelist and a Professor of English at Tulane University, where she holds the Andrew W. Mellon Professorship in the Humanities.[2]