| First Name |
Last Name |
Description |
| Raoul |
Abdul |
Classical music singer; author and editor of music and poetry books; former assistant to Langston Hughes |
| Paul Joseph |
Adams III |
Founding director of the independent Providence-St. Mel High School |
| Na'im |
Akbar |
Psychologist, author, orator, professor at Florida State U. |
| Ethel Skyles |
Alexander |
Former Illinois State Senator from 26th District |
| Kent |
Amos |
President and Founder, the Urban Family Institute |
| Howard "Louie Bluie" |
Armstrong |
World's greatest fiddle player, country blues musician, storyteller and artist. Subject of a film and PBS documentary |
| Anne |
Ashmore-Hudson |
Psychologist and scholar, founder Urban Psychological Associates |
| James |
Avery |
Actor, Emmy winner, poet. Most famous for playing the uncle in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air |
| Dr. Gloria Jackson |
Bacon |
Founder of the Clinic of Altgeld. Expert on poverty and health |
| Lee |
Bailey |
Broadcaster and founder of Lee Bailey Communications |
| Regina Harris |
Baiocchi |
Eclectic composer, poet and artist |
| Ernie |
Banks |
Great All Star Chicago Cubs baseball player. "Mr. Cub" |
| Chuck |
Barksdale |
Member of R&B group, the Dells |
| Etta Moten |
Barnett |
Elite actress and singer |
| Rev. Willie T. |
Barrow |
Operation PUSH, Rainbow Coalition, lifelong activist and minister |
| Marion |
Barry |
SNCC volunteer. Former mayor of Washington, D.C. |
| Barbara |
Bates |
Celebrity fashion designer and founder of Bates Foundation |
| Michael |
Battle |
Seventh president of Interdenominational Theological Center; administrator at Hampton University, Virginia State University, Chicago State University. |
| Bob |
Beamon |
Olympic gold medallist. Set Olympic/world record in 1968 long jump |
| Ruth |
Beckford |
Former Katherine Dunham Dancer, writer and actress |
| Harry |
Belafonte |
Actor, singer and humanitarian |
| Lerone |
Bennett, Jr. |
Editor of Ebony, historian, author of Before The Mayflower |
| Olive |
Benson |
Developed her own line of hair care products after researching Soft Sheen, Johnson Products, and other hair care companies. |
| Rev. James Luther |
Bevel |
Reverend, organizer and daring social activist. Hero of 1963's Children's Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama |
| Dawoud |
Bey |
Fine arts photographer. |
| Sanford |
Bishop, Jr. |
Congressman from Georgia |
| Keith |
Black |
Medical prodigy; head of brain tumor program at UCLA; now director of neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and head of neurosurgery department at UC Irvine. |
| Timuel |
Black |
Respected educator, activist, community leader and philosopher. Chicago historian. |
| William |
Bonaparte, Jr. |
CEO, Bonaparte Corporation, Bonaparte Properties, |
| Julian |
Bond |
SNCC volunteer, Georgia State Legislator, narrator and chairman of the board of the NAACP |
| Katie |
Booth |
Retired chemist and civic leader in Chicago and Gulfport, MS |
| Alvin |
Boutte, Sr. |
Chicago businessman and co-founder of Independence Bank |
| Barbara |
Bowles |
Investment Banker |
| Barbara |
Boyd |
Groundbreaking broadcast journalist |
| Nelvia |
Brady |
Professor at Trinity Christian College, former SVP of Carrington & Carrington executive recruiters |
| Leo |
Branton, Jr. |
Established private legal practice when no integrated or African American law firms existed. |
| Yvonne |
Brathwaite Burke |
The first African American woman elected to the US Congress from California |
| Andrew F. |
Brimmer |
Economist and former vice president of the Federal Reserve |
| John |
Britton |
Editor at Jet Magazine covering Civil Rights Movement; publicity manager at Motown Records and the Washington Post; now assistant to president of Meharry Medical College. |
| Edward |
Brooke III |
Senator, lawyer, Mass. Attorney General, WWII soldier |
| Howard B. |
Brookins |
Illinois state representative and state senator |
| Harry |
Brooks |
Commanding General of 25th Infantry Division; promoted improving education in the military. |
| Lonnie |
Brooks |
Blues guitarist and vocalist |
| Tyrone |
Brooks |
SCLC civil rights activist and Georgia State Representative |
| Abena Joan |
Brown |
Theatre producer and businesswoman. Founder of eta Creative Arts Foundation in Chicago |
| Alma |
Brown |
Widow of Sec. Of Commerce Ron Brown, VP of Chevy Chase Bank, National Urban League |
| Dorothy |
Brown |
Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, lawyer, CPA |
| Philip |
Brown |
Schoolteacher for 4 decades; authored books documenting African American education and segregation during his retirement. |
| Rachel Hall |
Brown |
Schoolteacher for 4 decades; instrumental in integrated Anne Arundel County in Maryland. |
| Oscar C. |
Brown, Jr. |
Black music theorist, jazz singer, songwriter, poet and playwright. Host of PBS series, From Jump Street |
| Lonnie |
Bunch |
President of the Chicago Historical Society |
| Diann |
Burns |
Co-anchor of the ten o'clock news at WLS-7, Chicago's ABC affiliate |
| Charles |
Burrell |
Jazz virtuoso and professional classical bass player with the Denver Symphony. |
| Tom |
Burrell |
Advertising mogul, founder of Burrell Communications Group |
| Roland |
Burris |
First African American in Illinois elected to state office |
| Margaret |
Burroughs |
Artist, educator and institution-builder. Founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago |
| Clark |
Burrus |
Financial expert/1st black Chicago City comptroller |
| John |
Bynoe |
Coordinated civil rights program at U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; director of Boston-area Regional Office of Civil Rights |
| Peter |
Bynoe |
Lawyer and ground-breaking businessman |
| Peggy Cooper |
Cafritz |
President of the D.C. Board of Education and award-winning documentary producer |
| Bill |
Campbell |
Award-winning host and producer of WLS-7's Chicagoing |
| Zerrie |
Campbell |
First female president of Malcolm X College |
| Reuben |
Cannon |
Casting director and producer of Down in the Delta and Get on the Bus |
| Jean |
Carne |
Singer, started with "Earth, Wind, & Fire," #1 hits, performed with wide variety of other famous musicians, successful solo career |
| Diahann |
Carroll |
Golden Globe and Tony Award Winner; nominated for Emmy, Grammy, and Academy awards. |
| Hon. Robert |
Carter |
Former NAACP lawyer and U.S. District Court Judge |
| Elizabeth |
Catlett |
Printmaker and sculptor |
| Emma |
Chappell |
Trailblazer in African American commerce and director of the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project |
| James |
Cheek |
President of Howard University for more than 20 years |
| King |
Cheek |
President of Shaw University, Morgan State University. |
| Robert |
Church |
Agriculturalist and Head of the Ham & Egg Show |
| Augusta |
Clark |
Retired City Council member of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Dr. John |
Clark |
Taught medicine at Howard for almost 50 years |
| Frank |
Clark |
Worked his way up from the mailroom to become president of Illinois electric company ComEd |
| Walter |
Clark |
Prominent banker and entrepreneur |
| Phillip |
Clay |
First black chancellor of MIT; professor of urban planning at MIT. |
| William |
Clay, Sr. |
Retired U. S. Congressman from St. Louis, Missouri |
| Eddy |
Clearwater |
Blues guitarist performing in Chicago since 1953; has toured around the world with many legends of the blues. |
| Father George |
Clements |
Catholic priest and activist who adopted black children as rector of Holy Angels Church/School in Chicago |
| Joseph |
Clipper |
Renowned portrait photographer; work commissioned by U.S. congresspeople, U.S. Military, Howard University, and others. |
| Dr. Price M. |
Cobbs |
Insightful black psychiatrist. Author of Black Rage, The Jesus Bag and Cracking the Corporate Code: From Survival to Mastery |
| Janet Langhart |
Cohen |
Award-winning television journalist; newspaper columnist for Boston Herald; now a media consultant. |
| Rev. Dr. Johnnie |
Colemon |
Founder of Christ Universal Temple, the largest black owned public facilty in Chicago. |
| Marva |
Collins |
Founder of Westside Preparatory School |
| James W. |
Compton |
President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League's Board of Directors |
| Nathan |
Conyers |
Civil Rights Attorney and Owner of Conyers' Riverside Ford and Jaguar dealerships. |
| John |
Conyers, Jr. |
The longest-serving African American in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives (Detroit) |
| Jacques |
Cook |
Attorney at major private firms; served as legal counsel for U.S. Senate Budget Committee; worked at International Development Bank. |
| Maudine |
Cooper |
President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League |
| Evern |
Cooper Epps |
President of UPS Foundation; Vice president of UPS Corporate Relations |
| Lucky |
Cordell |
Radio personality on WVON, Chicago |
| Rafael |
Cortada |
President of Metropolitan Community College (Minneapolis), Community College of Baltimore, El Camino College, University of the District of Columbia and Wayne County Community College. |
| Hon. William |
Cousins |
Cook County Circuit Court Judge |
| Allan |
Crite |
Prominent and prolific painter and author of several books |
| Linda Washington |
Cropp |
First woman to chair D.C. City Council; elected as Councilor in 1997, replacing Marion Barry. |
| Delores |
Cross |
Educator/College president of Morris Brown College |
| Stanley |
Crouch |
Outspoken writer, literary and jazz critic |
| Betty |
Currie |
President Bill Clinton's personal secretary. |
| Elnora |
Daniel |
Pres. Chicago State University, international health care consultant |
| Janette |
Dates |
Howard University professor specializing in blacks in the media |
| Ronald |
Davenport |
Lawyer, Chair of Sheridan Broadcasting, heard on over 300 nationwide stations |
| Angela |
Davis |
Activist, author, educator, former communist and Black Panther |
| Augustine |
Davis |
World War II Navy gunner and Pearl Harbor survivor/Pioneer black pharmacist |
| Belva |
Davis |
Media personality, first African American female newscaster in San Francisco |
| Danny |
Davis |
U.S. Congressman, Illinois; one of three African American congressmen representing Chicago. |
| Ossie |
Davis |
Profound writer, director, actor and producer |
| Ruth |
Davis |
First African American female career ambassador; served in Zaire, Kenya, Japan, Italy, and Spain. |
| Tyrone |
Davis |
Recorder of over 50 hit songs |
| Holmes "Daddy-O" |
Daylie |
Retired radio disc jockey who introduced audiences to jazz, blues and swing while furthering the cause of civil rights |
| Merri |
Dee |
Versatile broadcaster and civic leader |
| Ruby |
Dee |
Entertainer, actress, civil rights activist |
| Ronald V. |
Dellums |
Former Congressman from Northern California's 9th District. President of Healthcare InternationalManagement Co. |
| Jacoby |
Dickens |
Successful entrepreneur |
| David |
Dinkins |
1st African American Mayor of New York City |
| Jeff |
Donaldson |
Artist, muralist (Wall Of Respect) AFRI-COBRA founder who helped articulate the Black Arts Movement in the United States |
| David |
Driskell |
One of the world's leading authorities on African American art |
| David |
Duerson |
Former NFL player, CEO and owner of Duerson foods, sausage maker to Burger King and others |
| Katherine |
Dunham |
Legendary dancer, choreographer and anthropologist |
| James |
Eaton |
Museum founder and curator in Tallahassee |
| Ramona |
Edelin |
Former CEO, National Urban Coalition, Education Activist |
| Marian Wright |
Edelman |
Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund |
| Archie |
Epps III |
Former director of admissions at Harvard University. Author of Malcolm X Speeches at Harvard |
| Dr. Charles H. |
Epps, Jr. |
Orthopedic surgeon and professor at Howard University |
| Russ |
Ewing |
Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist |
| Richard |
Fairley |
U.S. Department of Education 30 years, helped desegregate Mississippi schools |
| Mel |
Farr |
Car dealer was highest grossing black business in 1998. |
| Kim |
Fields |
Television and movie actor (Facts of Life) |
| Rev. Dr. Floyd H. |
Flake |
Pastor of Allen A.M.E. Church and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives |
| Rev. Dr. Johnie |
Flakes, Jr. |
Pastor of 4th Street Missionary Baptist Church/Chairman of American Baptist College |
| Thomas C. |
Fleming |
Accomplished writer and founder of 2 African American Newspapers in the Bay Area |
| Arthur |
Fletcher |
Father of affirmative action, civil rights activist, Presidential appointee |
| Samuel A. |
Floyd, Jr. |
Director emeritus and consultant to the Center for Black Music |
| James |
Forman |
Social activist and organizer, president of the Unemployment and Poverty Action Committee |
| Badi |
Foster |
CEO of the Phelps-Stokes fund, former college professor |
| William |
Foster |
Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands, Emeritus, Florida A&M University. Founder of "Marching 100" |
| Norman C. |
Francis |
President of Xavier University of New Orleans |
| John Hope |
Franklin |
"Dean" of African American historians; published hundreds of articles and at least 15 books. |
| Dr. Harold |
Freeman |
Preeminent authority on cancer as it relates to poverty |
| Hon. Charles |
Freeman |
Former Chief Justice of the Ilinois Supreme Court |
| Paul |
Freeman |
Music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta |
| Edmund Barry |
Gaither |
Founder and curator of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury, Massachusetts |
| Kenny |
Gamble |
Lyricist of the songwriting team of Gamble and Huff. Originator of the Philadelphia Sound/Civic activist |
| Bettiann |
Gardner |
Co-founder of Chicago's Soft Sheen Products and New Regal Theatre. Supports worthy causes, i e., voter registration |
| Ed |
Gardner |
Launched Soft Sheen Products, New Regal Theatre. Black on Black Love Campaign. Chicago community philanthropist |
| Ralph |
Gardner-Chavis |
Research assistant on the Manhattan Project; chemist at Standard Oil of Ohio; professor at Cleveland State University |
| Kenard |
Gibbs |
President of Vibe Magazine; business and marketing consultant. |
| Nikki |
Giovanni |
Poet, professor, recording artist and author of Love Poems and Blues: For All The Changes |
| Earl |
Graves |
Founder of Black Enterprise Magazine and author of New York Times bestseller, How to Succeed in Business Without Being White |
| Joan |
Gray |
President, former dancer, Muntu Dance Theater |
| William |
Greaves |
New York based documentary film producer/director/actor. Ralph Bunche:An American Odyssey |
| Jonathan |
Green |
Renowned Painter of black Southern life -Florida |
| Sam |
Greenlee |
Activist, former officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, writer and talk radio program host |
| Floyd |
Griffin |
Current and first African American Mayor of Milledgeville, Georgia. Former Georgia State Senator. |
| Betty |
Gross |
Former Director of Nursing School at Provident Hospital |
| Lani |
Guinier |
First African American woman to become tenured professor at Harvard University; spearheaded efforts to educate the public about race and gender discrimination in politics and law. |
| Cecil |
Hale |
Former WVON radio personality and record executive |
| Hon. Sophia |
Hall |
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois |
| Joel |
Hall |
Founder of Joel Hall Dance Center; created 40 original ballets. |
| E. Lynn |
Harris |
Best-selling author; his novels explore middle-class Black America and break down taboos like homosexuality and bisexuality. |
| Charles |
Harrison |
Commercial product designer for Sears/Viewmaster |
| Hermene |
Hartman |
Founder of N'DIGO magazine and public relations specialist |
| Charles |
Hayes |
Labor organizer and congressman |
| Isaac |
Hayes |
Musician, actor, philanthropist |
| Dorothy |
Height |
President of National Council of Negro Women for over 40 years, social activist |
| H. Beecher |
Hicks |
Pastor of 6000 member Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.; author of five books. |
| Ora |
Higgins |
First AA female personnel manager to engineer corporate integration plan |
| Vy |
Higginsen |
Producer, author, playwright and radio personality |
| Walter |
Hill |
Professor, Howard U., Senior Archivist @ National Archives |
| Darryl |
Hill |
First black football player at U.S. Naval Academy and in Atlantic Coast Conference (at University of Maryland). |
| Asa |
Hilliard III |
Fuller E. Calloway Professor of Educational Psychology at Georgia State University. Author of The Maroon Within Us |
| Eric |
Holder |
First African American U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; First African American Deputy Attorney General. |
| Geoffrey |
Holder |
Toni Award winning actor, dancer, painter, director, costume designer. Known as UnCola nut spokesman. |
| Rev. Benjamin |
Hooks |
NAACP CEO for 15 years, minister, lawyer, judge, federal appointee |
| Bishop Joseph L. |
Howze |
Retired Catholic Bishop of Biloxi, Mississippi |
| William |
Hudgins |
Businessman and Founder of Carver Bank and Freedom National Bank |
| Joyce |
Hughes |
Trailblazing law professor at Northwestern University |
| Dr. Rameck |
Hunt |
One of the Three Doctors, got out of Newark slums to become a doctor |
| Richard |
Hunt |
Internationally renowned sculptor |
| Bernice |
Hutcherson |
Social worker/civic activist and educator in Wichita |
| Abner Val Jean |
Jackson |
Co-owner of Jackson's Mortuary in Wichita. Civic activist |
| Anderson Eugene |
Jackson |
Co-owner of Jackson's Mortuary in Wichita and Civic activist |
| Dorothy O. |
Jackson |
Deputy Mayor of Akron. Civic activist |
| Dr. Donald E. |
Jackson |
Veterinarian and Boy Scout official in Wichita |
| Jesse |
Jackson, Jr. |
Influential congressman from Illinois 1st Congressional District |
| Wadsworth A. |
Jarrell, Sr. |
Revolutionary social artist |
| Vernon |
Jarrett |
Print, radio and television journalist |
| William |
Jefferson |
Congressman from Louisiana |
| Ella |
Jenkins |
Popular children's folk musician |
| Daymond |
John |
CEO and founder of FUBU The Collection |
| Eric |
Johnson |
Owner of Johnson Hair Products and Baldwin/Richardson Foods |
| George |
Johnson |
Founder of Johnson Products Company, which revolutionized the hair care market with products catered to black women. |
| Hon. Sterling |
Johnson |
Federal judge appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York |
| John H. |
Johnson |
Widely regarded as most influential African American publisher in history; publications include Ebony and Jet; Spingarn Medal winner. |
| Louis |
Johnson |
Dancer, choreographer, dance director who has choregraphed for the stage (Damn Yankees & Hallelujah Baby) and screen (The Wiz & Cotton Comes to Harlem) |
| Katherine Butler |
Jones |
Active in promoting equal housing in Newton, Massachusetts; authored books about history of equal housing movement in Massachusetts. |
| Shirley |
Jones |
Co-founder of Kendren Community Mental Health Center, providing a full range of psychological services in the Watts-Compton area of Los Angeles |
| Veronica |
Jones |
Designer of upscale women's clothing |
| Emil |
Jones, Jr. |
Democratic Leader of the Illinois State Senate |
| Vernon |
Jordan |
Lawyer, author, close friend of Bill Clinton |
| James G. |
Kaiser |
Owner of a Lexus dealership |
| Sokoni |
Karanja |
Recipient of MacArthur "genius" Fellowship; founder of Center for New Horizons, a value-driven Afrocentric community center. |
| Maulana |
Karenga |
Founder of Kwanzaa, writer, social activist, teacher |
| Damon |
Keith |
Federal District Appellate Court Judge since 1977, was appointed by Jimmy Carter; Spingarn Medal winner. |
| Herb |
Kent |
Radio personality "The Cool Gent" |
| B.B. |
King |
World famous blues guitarist |
| Woodie |
King |
Founder of the New Federal Theatre, National Black Touring Circuit, writer of theater trends and critiques |
| Bernard |
Kinsey |
Businessman, founder of Xerox black employees group that fought for fair treatment for African American employees |
| Artis |
Lane |
Award-winning portrait painter and sculptor; subjects include John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Henry Kissinger, Barbara Bush, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jordan, and Rosa Parks. |
| Stan |
Lathan |
Director of TV, movies, theater, Def Poetry &Def Comedy |
| Allie |
Latimer |
Founder of Federally Employed Women organization; counsel for various government agencies, including NASA. |
| Dr. Raphael |
Lee |
Plastic surgeon specializing in burns, professor of surgery, researcher and entrepreneur |
| LaSalle |
Leffall |
President of American College of Surgeons; Chairman of President's Cancer Panel; authored over 150 articles. |
| Jeni |
LeGon |
Famous tap dancer became the first black woman to sign a contract with MGM Studios; appeared in 24 films. |
| John |
Levy |
Renowned music manager; clients included Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, and Wes Montgomery. |
| John |
Lewis |
Lifelong activist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1986 |
| Ramsey |
Lewis |
Jazz pianist. Ramsey Lewis Trio |
| Samella |
Lewis |
Renowned artist and African American art historian |
| Kimberly |
Lightford |
Illinois State Senator; elected to second term in 2003. |
| Richard |
Long |
Art critic and professor at Emory University in Atlanta. Author of Black Americans |
| Evelyn |
Lowery |
Founder and Chairwoman of SCLC's Women's Organizational Movement of Equality Now; Wife of SCLC leader Joseph Lowery. |
| Rev. Joseph |
Lowery |
Co-Founder of the SCLC, led the Selma to Montgomery march |
| James |
Lowry |
President: Chicago office of Boston Consulting, leader in diversity in the workplace |
| C. Payne |
Lucas |
Founder and president of Africare, nation's oldest non-profit African aid organization; served in Peace Corps administration in Togo and Niger. |
| Freddie |
Lucas |
First African American lobbyist at J.C. Penney corporation; worked as a consultant for General Motors corporation; |
| Haki |
Madhubuti |
Poet, essayist and entrepreneur |
| Dr. Julianne |
Malveaux |
Pioneering economist, columnist and talk radio host |
| Dr. Audrey Forbes |
Manley |
Medical doctor and former president of Spelman College |
| Joe |
Marshall |
Youth Club Founder in San Francisco |
| Kerry James |
Marshall |
Best known for his stylized, large-scale paintings |
| Walter |
Massey |
Distinguished physicist and President of Morehouse College |
| Samuel |
Massie |
Chemistry professor, first African American prof. At Naval Academy, worked on Manhattan Project |
| Barry A. |
Mayo |
Broadcasting management pioneer |
| Richmond |
McCoy |
Prominent real estate executive and founder of UrbanAmerican |
| Iola |
McGowan |
Former board member of Chicago Park District and former vice president of Illinois Democratic Party |
| Lester |
McKeever |
Civic finance leader |
| George |
McKenna III |
Reformer whose tactics have been modeled at schools nationwide |
| Richard |
McKinney |
Educational administrator and professor, minister. First African American president of Storer College |
| Terry |
McMillan |
Author of Mama, Disappearing Acts, Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back |
| Carrie |
Meek |
First African American elected to represent Florida in the U.S. Congress since Reconstruction |
| Jun |
Mhoon |
Touring drummer with Staples Sisters; vice president of A&M Records; founded own record label, I AM Records, in 1987. |
| Felicia |
Middlebrooks |
co-anchor of WBBM's Morning Drive in Chicago |
| Michael |
Mitchell |
Director of Washington, D.C. NAACP; reporter for Baltimore Afro-American. |
| Dr. Keiffer J. |
Mitchell, Sr. |
Gastrointestinal surgeon, healthcare advocate in Baltimore |
| Peggy A. |
Montes |
Founder of Bronzeville Children's Museum, the first and only African American children's museum in the country |
| Dan |
Moore |
Documentary filmmaker; founder of African American Panoramic Museum Experience. |
| Geraldine |
Moore |
Leader of all female band that backed comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley |
| Minyon |
Moore |
Officer at Rainbow/PUSH; first African American woman to serve as White House Public Affairs Director. |
| Charles |
Morrow |
Illinois State Representative from the 32nd district; first elected in 1987. |
| Carol |
Moseley Braun |
Former U.S. Senator. 1st woman and first African American to serve in that capacity. |
| Otis |
Moss |
Staff member of Martin Luther King, Jr.; pastor in Cleveland, Ohio area since 1961; |
| Famoudou Don |
Moye |
Percussionist for Art Ensemble of Chicago/teacher/one of world's best drummers |
| Laura W. |
Murphy |
Director of the ACLU's Washington office |
| Frances |
Murphy II |
Former publisher of Afro-American, professor of journalism |
| John |
Murphy III |
Chairman, publisher Afro-American from 1974 to present |
| Hon. William |
Murphy, Sr. |
Community activist and Judge of the Maryland District Court |
| |
Najwa I |
Founder of Najwa Dance Corps; integrates African and Carribean dance styles into her choreography. |
| Robert "Bob" |
Nash |
Vice Chairman ShoreBank, presidential appointee under Pres. Clinton |
| Shirley |
Nathan-Pulliam |
First Carribean born person and first registered nurse elected to Maryland General Assembly (1994); worked as registered nurse since 1962. |
| Constance Berry |
Newman |
Served in numerous government posts starting in 1962, including director of VISTA, assistant to Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of State |
| Fayard |
Nicholas |
Elder member of famed tap-dancing duo, The Nicholas Brothers; appeared in dozens of films and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
| William |
Norman |
Became second-ranked corporate officer at Amtrak; 11 years of service in U.S. Navy; currently CEO of Travel Industry Association of America. |
| Dr. Virgil C. |
Norris |
Surgeon and community activist in Tallahassee, Fla., 1st black doctor in Boca Raton |
| Barack |
Obama |
United States Senator; law professor at University of Chiago |
| Lorenzo |
Pace |
Internationally acclaimed multi media and performance artist |
| Alice |
Palmer |
Illinois State Senator |
| Lutrelle F. "Lu" |
Palmer |
Black activist journalist founder of "Lu's Notebook", radio spot, Lu's Bookshelf and Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC) |
| Timothy |
Parker |
Crossword puzzle artist, set standards for online puzzles as CEO of Master Puzzles, Inc. |
| Gordon |
Parks, Sr. |
Poet, novelist, music composer, documentary and fashion photographer, and director of films including The Learning Tree and Shaft |
| Dr. Richard |
Payne |
Expert on pain management and palliative care |
| Richard |
Pegue |
Dusty set radio personality |
| Waverly |
Person |
Head of Office of Earthquake Information for the United States Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado |
| Dr. Muriel |
Petioni |
Community health worker in Harlem |
| Alonzo |
Pettie |
Oldest living African American cowboy in Colorado |
| Bob |
Petty |
Broadcast journalist since 1971 |
| William |
Pinkney |
1st African American to solo-circumnavigate the globe by going around South America |
| Donald |
Porter |
Former member of the 1950's Doo Wop group The Spaniels, who had a hit with "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" |
| Grady |
Poulard |
Motivational speaker and consulting firm owner (GPA, Grady Poulard Associates) |
| Dr. Alvin |
Poussaint |
Preeminent child psychiatrist and expert on race relations |
| Dr. Beny |
Primm |
National authority on drug addiction and one of the world's foremost authorities on HIV and AIDS |
| Dr. Maurice |
Rabb |
Pioneering ophthamalogist in cornea and retinal vascular diseases |
| Ted "Double Duty" |
Radcliffe |
Oldest living Negro Baseball League player |
| Patricia |
Ralph |
Only African American nun in Community of St. Joseph; currently a school principal in Washington, D.C. |
| Marlene Owens |
Rankin |
Daughter of Jesse Owens, Exec. Director of Jesse Owens Foundation |
| William |
Raspberry |
Newspaper columnist for the Washington Post |
| Howard |
Rawlings |
Coalition-building member of the Maryland House of Delegates |
| Bernice Johnson |
Reagon |
Civil rights activist, folklorist, musician |
| Della |
Reese |
Vocalist/recording artist since 1953; first black woman to host her own television program; star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
| Martha |
Reeves |
Lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas; recorded several hits for Motown Records. |
| Willie T. |
Ribbs |
1st Black race car driver to participate in NASCAR |
| Linda Johnson |
Rice |
Executive officer at Johnson Publishing since 1987; was vice president of fashion department at Ebony magazine; daughter of founder John H. Johnson. |
| Fred |
Rice Jr. |
First African American Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department |
| Lloyd |
Richards |
Influential actor and director of the Yale Drama School |
| Julius |
Richardson |
Golf instructor recognized as one of the top 100 golf teachers |
| Leroy |
Richie |
Pioneering executive lawyer at the Chrysler Corporation and the United States Golf Association |
| Sanford |
Roach |
Coached Lexington's Dunbar High basketball team for 22 years |
| Herman |
Roberts |
Consummate businessman. Founder of a taxi company, night club, bowling alley and motel chain in Chicago |
| Jolyn |
Robichaux |
Fmr. CEO of Baldwin Ice Cream, 1st African American to open a concession at O'Hare |
| Bobby |
Robinson |
Negro League baseball player considered to be one of the game's greatest third basemen |
| Cleo Parker |
Robinson |
Choreographer, founder of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company |
| Ray M. |
Robinson |
Retired president of AT&T's southern region and president of Atlanta's historic East Lake Golf Club |
| Renault |
Robinson |
Founder of the African American Patrolman's League and former head of CHA |
| John |
Rogers, Jr. |
Founder of Ariel Capital Management Corporation |
| Hon. John |
Rogers, Sr. |
Decorated fighter pilot of 99th Squadron, Tuskegee Airmen and Juvenile Court Judge |
| Frank |
Ross |
Accounting executive |
| John |
Ross |
Composer, Arranger, Conductor, & Music Educator |
| Dorothy Walker |
Runner |
Social activist, organizer for women's and health issues |
| Bobby |
Rush |
Congressman and former Black Panther |
| Herman J. |
Russell |
Construction executive, founder of the Herman J. Russell Entrepreneural Scholarship Foundation |
| Howard |
Saffold |
Past African American Patrolman's League president. criminal justice activist and anti crime specialist |
| Rev. Al |
Sampson |
Activist minister and consultant on Black Heritage Bible. Ordained by Dr. King |
| Sonia |
Sanchez |
Poet, professor, activist, author of homegirls and handgrenades |
| Adelaide |
Sanford |
Teacher and principal in Brooklyn, vice chancellor of the State University of New York's Board of Regents |
| Warner |
Saunders |
One of Chicago's premier news reporters and anchors |
| Gus |
Savage |
Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois and forceful voice for equality |
| Eugene |
Sawyer |
Former Mayor of Chicago, successful entrepreneur |
| Michael |
Scott |
President of Chicago Park District, Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Office of Cable Communications; executive at Comcast; member of Harold Washington administration. |
| Joseph |
Segars |
First African American member of U.S. Foreign Service assigned to Vienna, Austria; Ambassador to Cape Verde; served as General Consul in many African nations. |
| Rev. Al |
Sharpton |
Nationally known activist minister. Founder of National Action Network |
| Hon. Leander |
Shaw |
Florida Supreme Court Judge |
| Russell |
Simmons |
Cultural icon has brought hip-hop to the masses; founder of Def Jam Records, Def Jam Comedy, Def Jam Poetry; founder of Simmons-Lathan Media Group. |
| Tavis |
Smiley |
National commentator for a variety of networks |
| Dr. Horace E. |
Smith |
Renowned pediatrician and bishop in Chicago |
| Frank |
Smith |
Founding member of SNCC; Served on District of Columbia City Council; Founder and Director of African American Civil War Memorial. |
| Calvin |
Smyre |
State Representative of Georgia from the city of Columbus |
| Wesley |
South |
Former WVON radio host of talk show, On Target |
| Pervis |
Spann |
"The Blues Man", radio personality and businessman |
| Lenny |
Springs |
Business executive; involved with the NAACP |
| Shelby |
Steele |
Political commentator . Winner of National Book Award for The Content of Our Character |
| Monica Faith |
Stewart |
Illinois State Representative |
| Morris "Butch" |
Stewart, Jr. |
JoyArtMusic president & founder, music producer |
| Albert |
Stiles |
Entertainer, dancer, singer and Founder of Fort Wayne's Talent Factory |
| Lou |
Stovall |
Printmaker and art educator, founder of Workshop, Inc. |
| Hon. Earl |
Strayhorn |
Former head of Cook County courts, judge |
| Allen |
Stringfellow |
Collage and watercolor artist |
| Warren |
Strudwick |
Helped to integrate Washington, D.C. hospitals; taught at Howard University Medical School; successful private practice in Washington. |
| Robert |
Stull |
Successful inker for Marvel and DC Comics; fuses comics and hip-hop with Armanda Design Group. |
| Hon. Russell B. |
Sugarmon, Jr. |
Memphis judge, former Tennessee state senator, helped fight racism in his hometown |
| Dr. Louis |
Sullivan |
Former United States Surgeon General |
| H. Patrick |
Swygert |
President of Howard University, former president of SUNY-Albany, former law professor at Temple University |
| Jackie |
Taylor |
Actress, director and founder of the Black Ensemble Theatre Company |
| Orlando |
Taylor |
Dean of Graduate School at Howard Univesrity; speech and communication scholar; helped coin term "Ebonics". |
| Rev. Gardner |
Taylor |
Honored theologian, Minister of Concord Baptist in Brooklyn and founding president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention |
| Susan |
Taylor |
Former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine |
| Welton |
Taylor |
Discovered antibiotics can treat tetanus and gangrene |
| William M. |
Taylor |
Director of Defense Information for the Army, advisor to the oil industry |
| Rosalyn |
Terborg-Penn |
Student civil rights activists; professor at Morgan State University since 1969; expert in African American Women's history |
| Eddie |
Thomas |
Record promoter and manager |
| Reginald |
Thomas |
Influential Chicago fashion designer; incorporates African themes into his designs. |
| Marshall |
Thompson |
Drummer and member of the Chi-Lites |
| William |
Thompson |
Armament officer in the 99th Squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen |
| Jim |
Tilmon |
Hosted "On Our People" first show produced by and for African Americans |
| Thomas N. |
Todd |
Established first Civil Rights Office in a United States Attorney's office. Dynamic public speaker. |
| Father Richard |
Tolliver |
Pastor, St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, community activist |
| Lorraine |
Toussaint |
Successful film and television actress; nominated for 4 NAACP Image Awards. |
| Dempsey |
Travis |
Writer, founder of Urban Research Press and former NAACP Chicago president |
| Charles |
Tribbett |
Named by Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 most powerful African American executives in America; currently runs his own executive recruiting firm. |
| Arthur |
Turner |
Illinois State Representative since 1981. |
| Morrie |
Turner |
Creator of Wee Pals, the first multi-ethnic cartoon strip syndicated in the United States. |
| Helen |
Turner-Thompson |
Nationally-renowned gospel musician and composer; music educator in Cleveland, Ohio area. |
| McCoy |
Tyner |
Legendary jazz pianist; member of famed John Coltrane Quartet; has made over 80 recordings and won 4 Grammy Awards. |
| Norm |
Van Lier |
Former basketball player, Chicago Bulls |
| C.T. |
Vivan |
Close friend and lieutenant of Martin Luther King, Jr.; civil rights leader was member of SNCC, SCLC; participated in Freedom Rides; founder of Black Action Strategies and Information Center |
| Rev. Dr. Angelique |
Walker-Smith |
First African American and first woman to serve as executive director of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis |
| George |
Wallace |
Inspired standup comedian |
| Ronald |
Walters |
Leading scholar on issues of black leadership and politics, frequent political commentator |
| William |
Warfield |
Extraordinary vocalist and college professor |
| Dionne |
Warwick |
Famous singer, first African American woman soloist to win a Grammy |
| Maxine |
Waters |
Outspoken advocate of women, children, poor people and people of color |
| Glegg |
Watson |
Businessman and researcher of gender and racial experiences in corporate America |
| Wayne |
Watson |
Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago |
| Reggie |
Webb |
Operates 11 McDonalds franchises in Southern California; spearheaded minority initiatives in McDonalds corporate structure. |
| Wellington |
Webb |
Former Colorado State Rep. And 1st African American Mayor of Denver. Elected for 3rd term. |
| Wilma |
Webb |
Former Colorado State Rep. And First Lady of Denver. |
| Lloyd |
Wheeler |
The great great grandson of black abolitionist, John Jones. And past CEO of Supreme Life Insurance Co. |
| Hon. William Sylvester |
White |
Former Juvenile Court Judge |
| Willye B. |
White |
Five time Olympian. Youth foundation founder |
| Benjamin |
Whitten |
First African American member of Iota Lambda Sigma honor fraternity; teacher and administrator in Baltimore City Schools for over 30 years; former president of Baltimore Urban League. |
| DeWayne |
Wickham |
Journalist and columnist for USA Today; author, a founding member of NABJ. |
| Benaree |
Wiley |
Founder and former CEO of The Partnership diversity consulting firm; named as one of Boston's most powerful women by Boston Magazine. |
| Dianne |
Wilkerson |
First African American woman elected to Massachusetts State Senate; currently is the only African American In the Massachusetts Senate. |
| Roger |
Wilkins |
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and publisher of Crisis, the NAACP journal |
| Eddie |
Williams |
President of the Joint Center, independent Washington think tank |
| Hon. Ann |
Williams |
First African American appointed to serve on any federal appeals court |
| Julius |
Williams |
Internationally known conductor and composer; professor at Berklee College of Music; works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic and Cleveland Orchestra, among others. |
| Barbara |
Williams-Skinner |
Founder and president of the Skinner Leadership Institute |
| Charles Vert |
Willie |
Sociologist and leader in desegregation who combines social research and activism |
| Serena |
Wilson |
Master quilter; taught special education in Ohio and Germany. |
| LeRoy |
Winbush |
Commercial artist/scuba diver |
| Ernest |
Withers |
Photojournalist, documented civil rights movement and rising musical stars in Memphis |
| Marcus Garvey |
Wood |
Classmate of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Crozer Theological Seminary; pastor for 45 years at Providence Baptist Church in Baltimore. |
| Robert L. |
Woodson |
Creator, National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise to fight poverty |
| Susan Cayton |
Woodson |
Collector and preservationist of Chicago Rennaissance art |
| Robert E. |
Wooten, Sr. |
Founder & director, Wooten Choral Ensemble, gospel choir |
| Conrad |
Worrill |
Reparations leader, Chair of National Black United Front/professor at Northeastern Illinois U. |
| Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. |
Wright |
Outspoken pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ is the author of four books. |
| Rev. Addie |
Wyatt |
Labor and Women's rights leader. |
| N. Don |
Wycliff |
Award winning columnist for the Chicago Tribune |
| Eldee |
Young |
Bassist in original Ramsey Lewis Trio and Young & Holt Unlimited |
| Doris |
Zollar |
Chair of Ladies Board of Operation PUSH and Entrepreneur |
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