Intercultural
African-American
African-American:
Creator of grown™ & Wife of Ray Allen
Shannon Allen is the creator of grown™, the first 100 percent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certified fast-food restaurant with a drive thru on the East Coast.
Maggie Anderson and her family lived exclusively off black business and talent in what they called "The Empowerment Experiment (EE)." She documented her family's journey in Our Black Year.
Mississippi State Representative
The youngest African American ever elected to Legislature, Rep. Jeramey Anderson inspires and empowers audiences to make a difference by reaching their highest potential, and shares why education can help one succeed.
Emmy & Golden Globe Nominated Actor
Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor, Anthony Anderson starred in and executive produced ABC’s multi-award nominated sitcom black-ish where he portrayed Andre “Dre” Johnson.
Poet, Author & Millennial Advocate
Azure Antoinette uses performance poetry to explore some of life's most significant topics, including gender, ambition, aging, beauty, alienation, relationships, the effects of technology on culture and more.
Grammy Award-Winning Singer
Born in Denver and later relocating to Atlanta as a teen, India.Arie went from “singing under a tree in the park” to the Grammy Awards stage in five years. She invites audiences to join her in a Songversation.
First African American Female Combat Pilot
In only three years, Vernice Armour went from beat cop to America's first African American fighter pilot. She went on to create the Zero to Breakthrough Success Plan.
CEO of Armstrong Consulting, Retired Police Chief & Author of, I'm Done Here!
Jason P. Armstrong is a retired police chief and nationally recognized leader with over two decades of experience driving organizational transformation in high-stakes environments.
Broadcaster, Musician & Social Entrepreneur
Musician, actor, activist and speaker Derrick Ashong is host of "D.N.A." on FUSION, and former host of "The Derrick Ashong Experience" and Al Jazeera English's The Stream.
Rapper
With his dedication to lyrical craft, roaring tracks and b-boy stance, speaker David Banner is one of the most gifted rappers to emerge from below the Mason-Dixon line
Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign & NYT Best-Selling Author
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is the President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach; Co- Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign; Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; and Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary.
Former Editor in Chief of Ebony, Teen People and Honey Magazines
An award-winning media executive and brand architect, speaker Amy DuBois Barnett is of one of our nation's premier curators of American popular culture.
Award-Winning Actress, Director & Executive Producer
Angela Bassett is known for her emotional performances on screen in such films as Malcolm X and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. She offers a powerful, inspirational message to women.
Award-Winning Multidisciplinary Artist, Writer & Cultural Worker
Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, writer, pedagogue, and cultural worker based in Philadelphia PA.
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Award winning producer/director Keith Beauchamp attended Southern University in Baton Rouge where he studied Criminal Justice with the intention of becoming a Civil Rights Attorney
Actress
Named one of People Magazine’s highly-coveted 50 Most Beautiful in 2014, Haitian-born actress Garcelle Beauvais immigrated to the United States at the age of seven and has since charmed audiences with her talent.