Black History Month & MLK
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Black History Month & MLK
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Founder Of Passion For Leadership
Lamarr Womble is the founder of Passion for Leadership. He was first inspired to become a speaker after he attended a National Conference on Student Leadership (NCSL) in Orlando, FL…
ESPN SportsCenter Anchor, Sports Journalist & Host
Cari Champion was named SportsCenter anchor in July 2015. Previously she served host of ESPN2’s First Take, where she shared the debate table with featured commentators Skip Bayless and Stephen…
Actor, Singer and Civil Rights Campaigner. Call Mr. Robeson, a play, which celebrates the life and work of the great singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson
The acclaimed British production Call Mr. Robeson, a play, which celebrates the life and work of the great singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson. The production, by Tayo…
Prominent Voice of Civil Rights, Social Justice, and Feminism
Tamika D. Mallory, an esteemed social justice leader, advocate and activist. A New York City native, this fiery, outspoken advocate for human rights and liberty has remained a consistent fixture…
Music Manager; Founder, Chairman and CEO of Atom Factory, He has Established the Careers of Numerous Recording Artists, Most Notably Multi-Platinum Grammy Award-Winning Artist Lady Gaga
The award-winning careers of Lady Gaga and John Legend, among others, are accredited to music industry professional Troy Carter. In 2010, the brand marketing strategist and entrepreneur founded the Atom…
Co-Founder, Def Jam Records
Acknowledged as the Godfather of Hip-Hop, Russell Simmons is the visionary behind Def Jam, the legendary label that launched the careers of such artists as Run DMC, the Beastie Boys,…
Public Historian and Founder/Executive Director of The HistoryMakers
Julieanna L. Richardson followed a unique path in heading up the largest national collection effort of African American video oral histories on record.
Diversity Advocate, Writer, Motivational Speaker, Entertainer, Former Miss America and Amazing Racer
Ericka Dunlap first rose to national acclaim when she was crowned Miss America 2004 on the iconic runway in Atlantic City. However, that was not the first time she excited…
Community Organizer, Journalist & Political Activist
Rosa Clemente, a native of the South Bronx, is one of the most raw, honest, political, social, and cultural voices in the country. From Harvard to prisons, Rosa has spent…
Award-Winning Reporter and Culture-Critic
Jimi Izrael is an award-winning reporter and culture-critic from Shaker Heights, Ohio who currently moderates “The Barbershop” for National Public Radio’s “Tell Me More with Michel Martin” and blogs “The Hardline”…
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…
Critically Acclaimed Author and World Renowned Speaker, Motivator and Educator
Eric Thomas, PhD. or “ET”, as he is better known, has taken the world by storm,with his bold & creative, high intensity, positive life changing messages!
Known as Black Thought, MC of the Philadelphia-based Hip-Hop group The Roots, as well as an occasional actor
Tariq Trotter has been rapping for 19 years, ten of which have been shared with his legendary crew
Drummer for The Roots, In-House Band Jimmy Fallon Band & Author
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, drummer, author, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, music journalist, and record producer. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is the drummer and co-founder of the Grammy award-winning hip hop band The Roots. He's…
Leader of The Hustle Movement
James Chapman is a well-known innovator in both the civic and entrepreneurial community. He was nominated for the 2015 White House Demo Day for being Founder of Oil Drop; an…
Member of the "Little Rock Nine"
Ernest G. Green currently works at Matrix Advisory, an institutional asset manager.
Change Agent and Activist; Founder of Project Footprints
Andre Norman's mission is simple – to motivate others to make a change. Through sharing his life experiences, Andre’s goal is to empower those with a desire to make a…
Academy Award-Nominated Director & Producer; Best Known for "Selma" and the Netflix Documentary "13th"
Ava DuVernay is a writer, producer, director and distributor of independent film. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, DuVernay became the first black woman nominated in the Golden…
Actor, Musician & Activist; Known for Fox's "Empire"
The multi-talented Terrence Howard is best known for his Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated work in Hustle & Flow, as well as for his supporting role in Crash, for…
Comedian, Actor, Writer and Currently a Sports Center Correspondent for ESPN
When New York Magazine tapped Reese Waters as one of the city’s Ten Comedians To Watch in March of 2009, few realized just how quickly his star would rise. First…
Educator and Historian. Founding Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture
Lonnie G. Bunch III is the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Broadway Actor, Inspirational Speaker, Recording Artist, Entrepreneur, Author, and Nationally Recognized Storyteller
Charles Holt is a native of Nashville, TN and a graduate of Rhodes College. Charles is a gifted Broadway actor and dynamic speaker. He inspires audiences around the world including…
Founding Chair of John Jay's Art & Music Department, as well as an accomplished curator, author, and art historian
Lisa E. Farrington, Ph.D., is the founding Chair of John Jay's Art & Music Department, as well as an accomplished curator, author, and art historian. In 2010 she won the…
Mother of Trayvon Martin and Social Change Agent
Sybrina Fulton is dedicating her life to transforming family tragedy into social change. Since the death of her 17 year old son, Trayvon Martin, during the violent confrontation in 2012,…
Father of Trayvon Martin
Since the 2012 death of his son, Trayvon, in a violent confrontation, Tracy Martin has committed his life to transforming tragedy into change. Despite his devastating loss, Martin was able…
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,…
First Openly Gay Player In Major League Sports, NBA Player & Equality Advocate
Jason Collins, the first openly gay National Basketball Association "NBA" player, recently was in a Sports Illustrated cover story, Collins became the first active male player in any of the…
World-Renowned American Spiritual Ensemble. Composed of some of the finest classically trained singers in the United States, the group strives to keep the tradition of the Negro spiritual alive
The American Spiritual Ensemble, a critically-acclaimed professional group composed of more than 20 of the finest singers in the classical music world! The vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world…
President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore
Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, has served as President of UMBC (The University of Maryland, Baltimore County) since 1992. His research and publications focus on science and math education, with special…
Grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Acclaimed Human Rights Advocate
Dr. Arun Gandhi is proof that one can change his ways. Although he is the grandson of the legendary Mohandas Gandhi, he overcame tremendous prejudice and anger in order to…
Pulitzer-Prize Winning National Reporter for the Washington Post covering law enforcement, justice, race and politics
Wesley Lowery is national reporter who covers law enforcement, justice, race and politics. He previously covered Congress and national politics. Prior to joining the Washington Post in February 2014, he…
#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…
Youngest-Ever Nobel Prize Winner; Advocate for Girls' Education & Women's Equality; Author of the International Bestseller "I Am Malala"
Malala Yousafzai made headlines when she was shot by the Taliban in 2012 at the age of 15 while traveling home from school on the bus with her friends in…
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:…
Civil Rights Activist & Politician
The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, is one of America's foremost political figures. Called the "conscience of the nation" and "the great unifier," he…
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…
Media Personality, Actress, Author, and Host of "The Wendy Williams Show"
Mother, wife, media mogul, entrepreneur, performer and bestselling author, Wendy Williams is best-known for her long-running talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. Named one of the ’35 Most Powerful People…
Linda Villarosa runs the journalism program at CCNY. A former editor and contributing reporter for the New York Times, she also served as the executive editor of Essence Magazine
Linda Villarosa is a professor, freelance writer and editor. Professor Villarosa runs the journalism program at CCNY.
Actress, Author, and Domestic Abuse Awareness Advocate
A successful actress, Robin Givens long oscillated between a glamorous movie star life and the domestic abuse she suffered at home. Today, she speaks out about the abuse she suffered,…
Conservative Media Personality
Called “one of the most recognizable conservative voices in America” by The Washington Post, Armstrong Williams is a pugnacious, provocative, and principled voice for conservatives and Christian values in America’s…
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…
Civil Rights Activist/Television Personality
Judge Greg Mathis is a national figure known for his advocacy campaigns for equal justice. His inspirational life story as a street youth who rose from jail to judge has…
NFL Hall of Famer
Kellen Winslow was the 13th player taken in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a nine-year career with the Chargers; earning All-Pro honors five times and…
Anti-Racism Activist and Writer. Since 1995, he has given speeches at over 600 college campuses across the U.S.
Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. Named one of “25 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World,” by Utne Reader, Wise has…
Actor, Comedian, Radio Personality and a correspondent on The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah
Currently a correspondent on The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah, Roy Wood Jr. has been described by the Hollywood Reporter as “A Standout”, and Entertainment Weekly called his brand of…
Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Activist for Human Rights
Known for the challenging roles she's played on film and in television, critically acclaimed actress Alfre Woodard's work has earned her an Oscar nomination, four Emmy Award wins and 16…