Category: Black Excellence

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Scales

Jonathan Scales (born September 14, 1984) is an American steel pannist and composer. He has recorded and produced seven albums, the most recent being Mindstate Music, released in 2019 on Ropeadope Records. Since 2007, Scales has recorded and performed with Victor Wooten, Howard Levy, The Duhks, Roy “Future Man” Wooten, Jeff Coffin, Jeff Sipe, Casey Driessen, Oteil Burbridge, Kofi Burbridge, Yonrico Scott, and Béla Fleck whom Scales describes as his “musical hero”.^[1] His albums have been reviewed by Modern Drummer^[2] and JazzTimes.^[3] Scales graduated from Appalachian State University in 2006.

https://www.npr.org/2024/09/03/g-s1-19864/jonathan-scales-fourchestra-field-recordings-aspen-ideas-festival

Jonathan Scales’ steelpans blaze at the Aspen Ideas Festival

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_(environmentalist)

John H. Francis III (born 1946) is an American environmentalist nicknamed The Planetwalker. Born in Philadelphia, the son of a West Indian immigrant, he moved to Marin County, California, as a young man.

Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our national not-for-profit organization reconnects Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Some examples of Outdoor Afro’s year-round activities range from fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, skiing, and more.

Rue founded Outdoor Afro as a social enterprise in 2009. The now national not-for-profit celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Headquartered in Oakland, California, Outdoor Afro incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2015. Today, the staffed organization includes more than 100 trained volunteer leaders, led and designed by Rue to innovate not-for-profit as movements of change.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeline_King

Emeline King (born December 16, 1957), is an American industrial designer, known for her automotive designs. In 1983, she was hired by Ford Motor Company, and became the first Black woman designer for the automobile manufacturer.^[1][2][3] King also works as a motivational speaker, musician, and author.^[4] She authored an autobiography, “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design? Emeline King, She Did It” (2021, Claire Aldin Pub.).^[4][5]

https://www.npr.org/2024/08/29/nx-s1-5092043/on-the-beltway-a-dc-jazz-festival-playlist-curated-by-artist-in-residence-corcoran-holt

On the Beltway, a DC Jazz Festival playlist curated by artist-in-residence Corcoran Holt

https://www.corcoranholt.com/bio

Corcoran Holt, a son of Washington, DC, began playing djembe and other West African percussion at the age of 4 as a member of Wose Dance Company under the tutelage of Baba Aidoo Holmes & Mahiri Edwards.

https://aaregistry.org/story/willie-mae-wong-musician-born

Willie Mae, also affectionately known as “Rabbit,” was one of the original members of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. They were the first multi-racial all-female big band in America.  Wong had no visible musical skills when she was recruited to the group as a 15-year-old. She was out on the street playing stickball when they picked her up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tazewell_Thompson

Tazewell Thompson is an American theatre director, the former artistic director of the Westport Country Playhouse (2006–07) in Westport, Connecticut and the Syracuse Stage (1992–95) in New York state. Prior to that he was an assistant director at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. He is the Director of Opera Studies at Manhattan School of Music.^[1]

https://tfma.temple.edu/directory/kimmika-williams-witherspoon

Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation in the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University and a Full Professor specializing in Urban Theater and Community Engagement in the Theater Department in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. Immediate-past President of the Faculty Senate at Temple University.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta (born July 30, 1990) is an American politician from the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as the Pennsylvania State Representative for the 181st district since 2019.

https://www.npr.org/2018/05/02/607358481/gza-the-soul-rebels-tiny-desk-concert

GZA‘s performance at the Tiny Desk was a rare appearance for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan emcee, in part because he’s notoriously introverted, and because he brought along The Soul Rebels, an eight-piece New Orleans brass ensemble.