African American
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African American
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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…
Noted Afrocentric Author & Psychologist
Dr. Na'im Akbar has been acclaimed by Essence Magazine as "one of the world's preeminent Psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology." Akbar…
Former U.S. Secretary of Education
On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confi rmed Dr. Rod Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Paige, the son of a principal and a librarian…
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…
Most recognizable for having played “Aunt Viv” to Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” on NBC from 1993 to 1996
Daphne Maxwell Reid, an actress, producer, entrepreneur and author, People remember Daphne as “Aunt Vivian” from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Throughout her years of work on television, she…
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…
Award Winning Actor and Filmmaker
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington is a man constantly on the move. Never comfortable repeating himself or his successes, Washington always searches for new challenges through his numerous 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…
Nationally Recognized Relationship Expert, Author, and Trainer
Dr Brenda Wade, nationally recognized relationship expert, author, and trainer creator and founder of the Love, Money & Seva Seminars and Power Coaching and Training International, Dr. Wade ignites change…
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…
Miss America 1990 & Youth Advocate
Since 2001, Debbye Turner Bell has been enjoying her role in broadcast journalism as a staff correspondent for CBS News. She covers a variety of subjects, and is from time…
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…
Dating Expert and from MTV's The Real World: Brooklyn. Co-host of Love At First Swipe on TLC
Devyn Simone is a dating expert, matchmaker, and the executive producer, co-creator, and co-host of Love At First Swipe on TLC.
NBA Great Both On and Off the Court
David Robinson, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in mathematics, spent 14 years in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. He was inducted into the…
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…
Historical and Cultural Sociologist
Dr. Orlando Patterson, a historical and cultural sociologist, is John Cowles Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. He has previously held faculty appointments at the University of the West Indies,…
1996 Olympic Decathlon Champion, TV Personality, Motivational Speaker, Author and Coach
Millions of Americans proudly watched Dan O’Brien win the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal to become the first American winner in the sport since 1976. As an Olympic Gold Medalist in…
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…
Reggae Artist; Son of Bob Marley
Damian Marley was only two when his father died, but the youngest of the Marley sons must have learned something. At the age of 13, he formed his first band,…
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…
Educational Consultant, Mentor, Author and Lecturer
Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is the author of over 25 books including national bestsellers, Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, State of Emergency: We Must Save African American Males, Solutions…
Co-Author of "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice" and author of "The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires"
Few individuals impact the day-to-day management of organizations and institutions as Dennis Kimbro. A tireless educator, author, and B-school professor, Dr. Kimbro is universally characterized as one of the most…
Leading Black Scholar
Dr. Molefi Kete Asante is Professor and Chair, Department of African American Studies at Temple University. Considered by his peers to be one of the most distinguished contemporary scholars, Asante…
Fitness instructor who emphasizes the importance of healthy lifestyles for people of all ages
Donna Richardson Joyner has sold millions of fitness videos including ESPN, Nike and Buns of Steel, Sweatin in the Spirit. She has the #1 Inspirational Fitness Infomercial in America “Body…
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…
Award-Winning Stand-Up Comedian, Political Commentator and Actor
D.L. Hughley is one of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today has also made quite an impression in the television, film and radio arenas.First…
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,…
Professor and Author
Jewelle Taylor Gibbs is professor emerita at the School of Social Welfare as well as a clinical psychologist and noted writer. She is the author of Preserving Privilege: California Politics,…
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…
Emmy Winning Violin Crooner Damien Escobar
Damien Escobar, once a self-proclaimed retired artist is now back to being one of the world’s top violinist. The people have taken note, but so have the media - the…
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, Actor, Singer, Writer, Musician and Voice Artist
With a dynamic energy and an almost tangible onstage presence, Dean Edwards remains one of the comedy worlds most in demand performers across the globe. Armed with a razor sharp…
Actor, Comedian, Director and Writer
Well known actor, comedian, director and writer. Doug E. Doug co- stars with Bill Cosby in the CBS sitcom, "Cosby". He is also well known to movie viewers for his…
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…
Real-life 'Hitch,' Dating Doctor
Real-life date coach David Coleman sees plenty of parallels between Will Smith's character in the new movie Hitch and his own career helping others find love. Coleman says he has…
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…
Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer, and Producer
David Chappelle is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. After beginning his film career in 1993 as Ahchoo in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, he landed supporting…
Civil Rights Leader
Dr. Benjamin Franklin Chavis, Jr. is an African American civil rights leader born on Jan. 22, 1948 in Oxford, N.C. As a 12-year-old, Chavis effectively desegregated his hometown’s whites-only public…
The First Woman and First African-American Neurosurgeon in the U.S.
Dr. Alexa Irene Canady-Davis was the first African American woman in the United States to become a neurosurgeon. Canady-Davis was born to Elizabeth Hortense (Golden) Canady and Dr. Clinton Canady,…