Tag: Black Excellence

https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/12/19/g-s1-102766/grammy-fela-kuti-afrobeats

On December 19, the first African musician ever awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was announced.

The honor goes to Fela Kuti, the Afrobeat pioneer and activist who died in 1997. He joins an elite group of legends like The Beatles, Johnny Cash, John Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hedrix, Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra — all recognized for making “creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.”

https://www.nycballet.com/discover/meet-our-dancers/soloists/india-bradley

India Bradley was born in Detroit, Michigan and began her dance training at the age of four at The Link School of the Arts in Troy, Michigan. At the age of eleven, she attended the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet in Novi, Michigan, under the direction of Sergey Rayevitskey.

Ms. Bradley was promoted to the rank of soloist in October 2025.

https://www.supportnetwork.heart.org/s/blog-article/a1hPE000000SdODYA0/wellness-entrepreneur-improves-her-health-with-humor-and-hard-work

ShantaQuilette Develle is a busy entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and wellness advocate. After facing multiple health challenges, she now believes one of her most important jobs is being CEO of her own body.

“My life didn’t stop after my heart attack and stroke,” she said. “When you are in the face of death, it pulls you up by your lapels. It’s really important not to take no for an answer when it concerns your health, and it starts by being in tune with your body.”

Develle spent most of her life as an athlete. She exercised and ate a nutritious diet. But she had a family history of high cholesterol, which is linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

In 2012, she started experiencing heart problems. Doctors told her the heart palpitations and chest pains were strain from exercising, so she transitioned to limited workouts as they instructed. They also said her symptoms were caused by stress and anxiety from her high-pressure job at the IRS.

Mamoudou N’Diaye is a Mauritanian/Malian-American comedian, tv/film writer, filmmaker, creative consultant, DJ, and former 7th-grade teacher. 

N’Diaye has been a correspondent for digital media companies, a creative comedy consultant for social justice nonprofits.

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

Hillary Dennis Udanoh popularly known as Odeal^[1](Born December 13, 1999), is a German-Nigerian singer-songwriter currently signed to OVMBR, and LVRN. He rose to prominence with the release of the song “Soh-Soh” which peaked at 3 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, peaked at 12 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs, and peaked at 42 on the Nigeria Official Top 100 Songs.

On 2 September 2025, Billboard named Odeal as its African Rookie of the Year.^[2]

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/15/g-s1-101175/odeal-tiny-desk-concert

The first thing you might notice about Odeal‘s Tiny Desk: He’s holding a phone in his hands. “Someone really special couldn’t make it today and it’s my mom,” he explains. “I’ve got her on the phone right now.” The British Nigerian singer and songwriter then props the FaceTime call right in front of him to give his mother a front row seat. Right from the first note, we are instantly transported to the warm, soulful pocket that we never leave.

National Black Growers Council

We simply love farming.

We are multigenerational producers who advocate for the best interests of Black farmers locally, statewide, and nationally. We promote agriculture in the United States and abroad.

OUR MISSION

To improve the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of black row crop farmers.

Dr. Janelle Frederick, DPT, WCS

Dr. Janelle Frederick, formerly Dr. Janelle Howell, was raised in Huntsville, AL, a small city in northern Alabama where she attended Oakwood University and graduated in 2013. She then got her doctorate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA in 2015. 

Before starting the Vagina Rehab Doctor company, Dr. Janelle Howell- Frederick worked as a traveling physical therapist and then a pelvic floor physical therapist for over 5 years at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL, Alta Bates in Oakland, CA, Body Gears Physical Therapy in Oak Park, IL and Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. She’s a board certified Women’s Certified Specialist in pelvic floor physical therapy and specializes in accelerated and telehealth solutions for chronic vaginismus.

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/16/nx-s1-5645727/barbara-rose-johns-capitol-statue

Her 1951 walkout helped end school segregation. Now her statue is in the U.S. Capitol

In 1951, a Black teenager led a walkout of her segregated Virginia high school. On Tuesday, her statue replaced that of a Confederate general in the U.S. Capitol.

Barbara Rose Johns was 16 when she mobilized hundreds of students to walk out of Farmville’s Robert Russa Moton High School to protest its overcrowded conditions and inferior facilities compared to those of the town’s white high school.

https://www.growourgame.org/founder-cjj

Our Founder, Chiene Joy Jones is a Native New Yorker and Queens product. Coach Jones’ energy remains unmatched as her love and passion for the game of basketball and empowering young girls is constantly worn on her sleeve! With over 20 years of coaching experience, she continues to serve as a committed and dedicated professional through community organizations in New York City, primarily facilitating and leading efforts to break generational poverty by advocating for our youth in urban communities. She is a mentor to all of her players, past and present, and continues to advocate for girls participation in sports.

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

Monica McNutt (born October 24, 1989) is an American basketball analyst for ESPN and the MSG Network. She played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas.