Black History Month & MLK
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Black History Month & MLK
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E.R. Physician, Inspirational Speaker, Bestselling Author & TV Personality
Dr. Sampson Davis was raised as the fifth of six children in Newark, one of New Jersey’s poorest cities.
Fashion Innovator
A New York Times bestselling author and global fashion icon with a remarkable rags to riches story, Dapper Dan pioneered streetwear in the early 1980s with his eponymous store on 125th Street.
Political Contributor, CBS News
Deval Patrick served two terms as the 71st governor of Massachusetts. An accomplished executive, passionate leader and gifted orator, Deval Patrick will capture—and hold—the attention of any audience.
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, NFL linebacker, Author and host of of CNBC’s Adventure Capitalists
Dhani Jones is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, NFL linebacker, author and host who began his career in the NFL, playing with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals.
Award-Winning Actor and Producer
With a resume that is as varied and expansive as it is rich in depth of the characters he brings to life, Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle is one of…
Comedian and Winner of the Stand-Up NBC 2015
Offering a fresh and honest perspective that’s rare to find, Dulcé Sloan is one of TimeOut LA's Top Comics to Watch for 2017 and the Winner of the 2016 Big…
Acclaimed Poet & Arts Educator
Dr. Joshua Bennett has recited his original work at events such as.
Noted Author and 7th President of Dillard University
Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, president of Dillard University in New Orleans, known for his writings on African-Americans and higher education.
Teacher, Blogger, Author and Activist
Drew G. I. Hart is a professor in theology, an author, and an activist with ten years of pastoral experience. His undergraduate work was in biblical studies at Messiah College,…
Award winning Motivational Speaker and Author of All That it Takes is All That You've Got and All That You Got is All That it Takes
Dion Jordan is regarded as one of the most respected and engaging professional speakers on the speaking circuit today. A recognized authority on peak potential and personal development, Dion has…
America's First Black Female Transplant Surgeon
Velma P. Scantlebury, M.D., is the associate director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Christiana Care. She comes to Christiana Care from the University of South Alabama’s Regional Transplant Center,…
16th US Surgeon General
Sworn in on February 13, 1998, Dr. David Satcher became the second person in history to ever hold the positions of Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health simultaneously. He…
Best-Selling Author and Fitness Guru and Trainer from "The Biggest Loser"
Dolvett Quince is a force of nature. As a veteran health and fitness expert and one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser, Quince has dedicated himself to “helping people…
Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter Activist
DeRay Mckesson is an organizer, activist, and educator focused primarily on issues of innovation, equity and justice. Born and raised in Baltimore, he graduated from Bowdoin College and has advocated…
Former Special Assistant to President Obama and Social Secretary
A Philadelphia native, Deesha Dyer’s unconventional story is woven together by themes of heart, dedication, and an incessant quest for excellence. After graduating from Milton Hershey School, a private philanthropic…
One of the Nation’s Leading Historians of African American Photography
Deborah Willis, Ph.D, is University Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and has an affiliated…
Award-Winning Artist, Activist and Philanthropist
David Banner, born Lavell Crump in Jackson, Mississippi, is a Grammy Award winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, civic activist and actor who recently appeared in Lee Daniel’s The Butler…
Filmmaker and Founder and Creative Director of World Trust, Is a Dynamic Educator In The Field of Diversity and Racial Equity
Shakti Butler, PhD, filmmaker and Founder and Creative Director of World Trust, is a dynamic educator in the field of racial equity. She engages her audience with participatory keynotes and…
Recognized As One Of The Nation’s Top Motivational Speakers and Educators. Founder of the White Privilege Conference (WPC)
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. has pursued and achieved success in academia, business, diversity, leadership and community service. In 1996, he started America & MOORE, LLC to provide comprehensive diversity, privilege…
Award-winning Actor and Performer who produces, and stars in one-man shows including Power on Earth, Roadhouse Lounge, and more
Award-winning actor Darryl Van Leer has been captivating audiences for nearly two decades with his one-man dramatizations that he writes, directs and produces. Recently, Van Leer co-stared in the feature…
Professor, Africana Studies, English and Comparative Literature, Cornell University
Dr. Carole Boyce-Davies is a student-first, Caribbean-American radically intellectual committed to social justice. Currently, Professor of Africana Studies and English at Cornell University, from the mid1980’s and throughout the 1990’s,…
#BlackLivesMatter Movement, Cultural Theorist, Co-founder of the Hip-Hop Infused Blog Crunk Feminist Collective and Rutgers Professor
Brittney Cooper is Assistant Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University. She is a Black feminist theorist who specializes in the study of Black women’s…
Tuskegee University 7th President (2014-2017); W.E.B. Du Bois Scholar & Higher Education Administrator
Dr. Brian L. Johnson was the seventh President of Tuskegee University where he was appointed on April 28, 2014. He has held administrative and academic posts in the following capacities:…
Former Captain and Shortstop of the New York Yankees and Co-Owner & CEO of the Miami Marlins
Derek Jeter, a five-time World Series champion Turn 2 Foundation. For the duration of the evening, Jeter was joined on-stage by Fox News lead analyst and former MLB second baseman…
Award-Winning Writer, Composer & Performer
Daniel Beaty is an award-winning actor, singer, writer, and composer. Recently he had an extended off-Broadway run of his acclaimed solo play Through The Night produced by Daryl Roth. For…
Veteran Print Columnist who also has worked as a commentator for CBS News, Black Entertainment News and the Tom Joyner Morning Show
DeWayne Wickham, a columnist with USA Today and Gannett News Service, Wickham is a distinguished professor and director of the Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies at North Carolina Agricultural and…
Renowned Motivational Speaker and Activist
Dr. Dennis Rahiim Watson is a motivational speaker who has received hundreds of commendations, including ones from notable names such as President Barack Obama, President George Bush and Secretary Hillary…
Philosopher, Social Activist and Professor
Dr. Cornel West, philosopher, social activist and professor, has long held a place in the African American culture for his thought-provoking theories on politics, race relations and religion. West is…
Former New York City Schools Chancellor and Deputy Mayor
Dennis Walcott is the President and CEO of Queens Library. He joined Queens Library March 2016. Walcott is a life-long resident of Queens and has spent his entire career in…
Doctor, Author & Media Consultant
Ian K. Smith, M.D. is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of SUPER SHRED, SHRED, THE 4 DAY DIET, THE FAT SMASH DIET and EXTREME FAT SMASH DIET among…
An Evening With Def Poetry
The acclaimed late-night series RUSSELL SIMMONS PRESENTS DEF POETRY. Poets to be selected from the following: Suheir, Black Ice, Poetri, Stacey Ann Chin, Lemon, Beau Sia, Mayda and the best…
Pioneer of Hip Hop Culture, Members of Run–D.M.C. & Comics Publisher
Darryl McDaniels is a legendary music icon and the co-founder of Run-DMC, the legendary rap group that has sold over 30 million records, had several Top 10 hits and was…
Racial & Cultural Economics Expert
Dr. Julianne Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations.
Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Actress
Dawnn Lewis a multitalented and multifaceted individual. Perhaps best known for her roles on the hit TV shows A DIFFERENT WORLD (composer of shows theme song) and HANGIN’ WITH MR.…
Social Critic & Intellectual
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the leading intellectual voices in the country. He is the host of HuffPost Live and BET News, as well as a political contributor…
Branding Visionary & Founder of FUBU; Investor on ABC's "Shark Tank"
From his wildly successful role on ABC’s smash hit, Shark Tank, to his distinguished status as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, Daymond John has become globally recognized for his…
A Founding Member and Former Chief of Staff of the Black Panther Party
As chief of staff of the Black Panther party, David Hilliard was actively involved in every major activity of the best-recognized and most feared African American organization of the 1960's…
Acclaimed Actor, Humanitarian & Leading Social Activist
Actor, director, producer, and political activist Danny Glover has also become known for his community activism and philanthropic work. A San Francisco native, Glover trained at the Black Actors’ Workshop…
Actor, Producer, Director & Award-Winning Comedian
Donald Glover is an actor, producer, director, award-winning comedian and writer, and Grammy-nominated artist. This past year Glover appeared in Ridley Scott’s The Martian opposite Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain…
Professor and Director, W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, Harvard University
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar,…
Esteemed Activist, Author, and Journalist who, in 1961, became the first African American female reporter at the Washington Post
Dorothy Butler Gilliam was a journalist with The Washington Post
Writer, Spoken Word Artist and Author
Dana Gilmore’s brand of poetry is both invigorating and cathartic. She has appeared on seasons 3 and 4 of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam where she received several standing ovations. She…
Hip-Hop, Activist, Record Producer and Human Beat Box
The first human beatbox in the rap world, and still the best of all time, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his note-perfect imitations of drum machines, effects, and often…
Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley, Civic Activist
Dr. Harry Edwards was born in St. Louis but grew up in East Saint Louis, Illinois. After an outstanding athletic career at East St. Louis High, he graduated in 1960…
Stand-Up Comedian and Actor
Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, comedian-turned-actor DeRay Davis can most recently be "scene" and heard in the blockbuster mega hit 21 Jump Street, Jumping the Broom…
Musician, Author, Racial Justice Activist, Compelling Unifier, Klan Whisperer, and Award-Winning Conflict Navigator
Daryl Davis is committed to helping people ignite positive change – using conversation to build bridges. His jaw-dropping experiences speak for themselves.
Olympic Gold Medal-Winning Gymnast, Former Co-Chair of President Obama's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
Dominique Dawes is best known for her tremendous success as an Olympic gymnast who competed in three Olympic Games, winning team medals in all three Olympic Games becoming the only…
Award-Winning Relationship Specialist and Former TV Talk Show Advice Expert
People across the United States and abroad know Dr. Grace Cornish Livingstone, as "Dr. Grace," the award-winning relationship specialist, dynamic minister, keynote speaker, former TV talk show advice expert, and…