presents
Pioneers, History Makers & STYLE STARTERS At your Finger Tips
The 25
MUST-SEE Black
Movies
16 PAGE-
TURNING
Classics
Welcome Future History Makers! Welcome and congratulations on being selected to receive this “Know Your Roots” book sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Iconic baseball player Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” The life that you live today is a direct result of the choices and decisions your ancestors made. This is why it is important for us as a culture to know our individual and ancestral history. It is wise for us to use the lessons taught from the past as knowledge and motivation to look ahead and create a better future for ourselves and generations to come. The “Know Your Roots” book will take a deeper look into the past and examine the people and events that have greatly impacted the African-American community. Filled with important facts and information, it is our hope that you take the lessons that have been taught and apply them to your lives moving forward. We hope you enjoy learning about our history, and we hope this resource will help push you into a thriving and productive future. Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
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CONTRIBUTORS
Vernita Bediako
Darien Boyd
Kia Smith
King College Prep High School C/O 2013 True Star Alum: 2011-2012 University of Missouri, Columbia
DuSable High School C/O 2011 True Star Alum: 2009-2011 DePaul University
Harlan High School C/O 2012 True Star Alum: 2009-2012 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Senior
Senior
Senior
Major: Journalism
Major: Journalism
Major: Journalism-Advertising
Twitter: @BediakoVernita
Twitter: @SirDeeBoyd
Twitter: @KiaSmithWrites
Kennedy Ward
Subria Whitaker
Briana Wilson
Morgan Park High School C/O 2014 True Star Alum: 2011-2013
Morgan Park High School C/O
Von Steuben High School
2012 True Star Alum: 2010-2012
C/O 2017
University of Missouri, Columbia
Northwestern University
Junior
Graduate Student
Senior True Star Member: 2013-2017
Major: Journalism-
Major: Sports
Snapchat: @Brii_oxo
Black Studies
Administration
Instagram: @PrezKenn
Twitter: @Swhitak2 3
CONTENTS PIONEERS & FRONTRUNNERS 5 ANNIE TURNBO MALONE BY BRIANA WILSON 6 CIRILO MCSWEEN BY DARIEN BOYD 7 HERB KENT / GWENDOLYN BROOKS BY KENNEDY WARD 8 BILL RUSSELL BY SUBRIA WHITAKER / SHIRLEY CHISHOLM BY KIA SMITH 9 ALVIN AILEY BY VERNITA BEDIAKO / HERMAN PETTY BY KIA SMITH 10 PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 11 MISTY COPELAND BY BRIANA WILSON 12 TONI MORRISON BY VERNITA BEDIAKO 13 HALLEY BERRY BY BRIANA WILSON 14 SHEILA & ROBERT JOHNSON BY SUBRIA WHITAKER 15 USAIN BOLT BY DARIEN BOYD / BARRINGTON IRVING JR. BY KENNEDY WARD
OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL 16 GORDON PARKS BY KIA SMITH 17 WILMA RUDOLPH BY SUBRIA WARD / ALTHEA GIBSON BY KIA SMITH 18 HARRY BELAFONTE BY VERNITA BEDIAKO / MARLIN BRISCOE SUBRIA WHITAKER 19 PRINCE BY DARIEN BOYD
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER 20 IDA B. WELLS BY KIA SMITH 21 HUEY P. NEWTON BY VERNITA BEDIAKO 22 FRED HAMPTON BY SUBRIA WHITAKER 23 MICHELLE ALEXANDER BY KENNEDY WARD / DERAY MCKESSON BY DARIEN BOYD 24 BLACK LIVES MATTER FOUNDERS BY BRIANA WILSON
HOLDING IT DOWN 25 COMMON BY VERNITA BEDIAKO 26 WILLI SMITH BY KIA SMITH / TRACY REESE BY BRIANA
STYLIN’ 27 ARTHUR MCGEE BY VERNITA BEDIAKO 28 DAPPER DAN BY KENNEDY WARD / CROSS COLOURS BY DARIEN BOYD 29 TRACY REESE BY BRIANA WILSON 30 WILLI SMITH BY KIA SMITH / BARBARA BATES BY VERNITA BEDIAKO 31 OSWALD BOATENG BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
HISTORY IN THE MAKING 32 CATHY HUGHES BY SUBRIA WITAKER 33 ROSALIND BREWER BY KIA SMITH / NZINGA SHAW BY SUBRIA WHITAKER 34 HANK WILLIS THOMAS BY VERNITA BEDIAKO / KAMALA HARRIS BY KENNEDY WARD 35 JEWELL JONES BY SUBRIA WHITAKER 36 ISSA RAE BY KIA SMITH / DONALD GLOVER BY DARIEN BOYD
GOOD READS 37 GOOD READS BY STAFF
FACTUAL FLIX 38 25 MUST-SEE FACTUAL FLIX BY STAFF
PIONEERS & FRONTRUNNERS
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LACK HISTORY ISN’T SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED JUST ONE MONTH OUT OF THE YEAR. RECOGNIZING THE PEOPLE THAT MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETY SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED 24/7, 365. THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PIONEERS AND FRONTRUNNERS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT.
Annie Turnbo Malone BY BRIANA WILSON
I
t’s no secret that females are serious when it comes to their hair. In school, we were taught that Madame C.J. Walker was the person who paved the way for Black hair care products, but many of us aren’t familiar with the O.G. that made history in the hair world just four years before Walker. I introduce to you, Annie Turnbo Malone, the first African-American female millionaire. Malone spent her time in the beginning of the 20th century developing products and enterprises that were dedicated to the cosmetic needs of Black women. Malone successfully developed a product that straightened Black hair without causing damage. In 1902, she moved from Metropolis Ill., to St. Louis with her many hair methods. After going door-to-door selling hair products, the word about Malone and her Poro products began to spread rapidly. By the end of World War I, Malone had become a millionaire and opened Poro College in 1917 in St. Louis, making it the first educational institution dedicated to Black cosmetology. The cosmetology school, headquartered Chicago in
1930, reportedly educated and graduated about 75,000 students. Based on reports, Malone made $14 million in assets from the beauty and cosmetic enterprises. Malone was always giving back to AfricanAmerican programs and charities. In fact, she donated $25,000 to Howard University which was the largest donation given from a private donor of African descent. At the time of her death in 1957, Malone’s estate was said to be worth $100,000. 5
Cirilo MCSWEEN BY DARIEN BOYD
F
or many Chicagoans the McDonald’s on Jackson Avenue and State Street was a downtown Loop staple. On the first floor you would see various homages to sports legends. Not only would there be tons of different Chicago team memorabilia, like framed jerseys and Bears helmets, but posters of players like Shaquille O’Neal and Isiah Thomas. But the true highlight may have been the images on the top floor. On the walls there were pictures and messages, commemorating the Civil Rights Movement. One image in particular illustrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time spent in Chicago. The entire building felt like a haven of Black history that just happened to function as a fast food restaurant.
While some stories about immigrants coming to America and making it big have been portrayed by gangster films like Scarface, McSween’s success story started with the discovery of his running abilities. After having his athletic potential recognized by a teacher in his homeland of Panama, McSween found his way to the States via a track scholarship to the University of Illinois. It was there he shattered many records.
That McDonald’s was the first to contain a theme. It was also the first to be owned by a Black man. That same man owned 11 total McDonald’s within the city. For many, that would be considered a crowning accomplishment. Owning fast food franchises did not come close to defining what Cirilo McSween represented as a figure within the African-American entrepreneurial culture.
But maybe more important than anything was McSween’s contributions to Black activism. A participant in the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, he was a treasurer for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He also helped with finance for Rainbow PUSH among other initiatives. McSween showed how through hard work the “Black dollar” could truly make an impact.
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But his feats did not stop with athletics. McSween entered the insurance industry and became one of the most successful salesmen in the country, and in the 1950s earned a spot in the “Million Dollar Round Table.” This prestigious honor reflected his million dollars in insurance sold yearly.
Herb KENT BY KENNEDY WARD
Herb Kent “The Cool Gent,” goes down in radio history as the longest running DJ ever, having been active on airwaves for seven decades. He is also credited for launching the careers of equally historical acts such as The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and Minnie Riperton.
Born in 1928 and raised in the Ida B. Wells housing project in Bronzeville, Kent always had a love for radio. “When I was 10 years old, I would spend my spare time building model planes from kits. Later I began building radios from crystals, wires, earphones, and toilet paper inserts,” Kent said in a 2015 interview with “Soul Train.” That love continued into his teen years. Kent started his own classical music program for WBEZ at the age of 16. When he was young, Kent recalled a White professor at Northwestern telling him that he had a “great voice,” but he would never achieve on-air success “because you’re a negro.”
In 1963 Kent found a home on WVON where his radio career took off. To this day he is known as one of the station’s original DJs. Under WVON, Kent discussed issues critical to race discussions in the 1960s such as Black riots, food stamps, and inequality. In 1988, Kent joined V103’s roster (then known as WVAZ.) He spent the last 28 years of his life as a staple DJ at V103 and playing the popular “dusties” music. Kent passed away on Oct. 22, 2016, hours after his last V103 broadcast. Despite his passing, he remains an influential figure in the hearts of music and radio lovers alike.
Gwendolyn
BROOKS BY KENNEDY WARD
Although legendary poet Gwendolyn Brooks
was born in Topeka, Kan. in 1917, the city of Chicago claims her as one of our own. Her family moved to the South Side shortly after her birth. By the time she was 16 Brooks had published nearly 100 poems.
look first on one side and then on the other. There
It was at 623 East 63rd Street where Brooks became inspired by the coolness of Chicago’s Black youth during her twenties. “I wrote about what I saw and heard in the street. I lived in a small, second floor apartment at the corner, and I could
Her first book of poetry, A Street in Bronzeville, was published in 1945. In 1950 Brooks was the first African-American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her second book of poems, Annie Allen.
was my material,” Brooks said in a 1965 interview with historian Paul Angle.
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Bill RUSSELL BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
Basketball Hall of Fame center William “Bill” Russell is more than the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics Dynasty; he is a basketball and civil rights icon.
After leading his high school to three state championships, the University of San Francisco (USF) was the only school to offer Russell a basketball scholarship. The first to feature three Black players in a starting line-up, Russell and his teammates lead USF to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956, marking the first time that a Black player led a team to a national championship. Not only was he the first shot blocker, but Russell was the first player to take the game vertical. At the time, a defensive player removing his feet from the ground was unsound, unseen and unheard of. Russell’s moves and style
of play included defense, jumping, and creativity in ways that people had barely begun to imagine, and his dunks, sometimes off alley-oops, completely left opponents confused. Acknowledged as the greatest winner in sports, Russell retired from the National Basketball Association (NBA) with five MVP Awards, 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA selections and 11 NBA Championships in just 13 seasons – including two as head coach. Not only was this string of championships unheard of, but at the time, so was being a Black coach. When Russell took over as Celtics’ head coach in 1966, he became the NBA’s first Black coach and the country’s first Black coach of a major professional sports team.
Shirley
CHISHOLM BY KIA SMITH
Contrary to popular belief, the first woman to
run for president was not Hillary Clinton. Back in 1972, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm became the first Black woman to get the democratic nomination for U.S. presidency. Prior to her Democratic Party nomination, Chisholm made history in 1968 when she was elected as the first Black Congresswoman representing the state of New York in the House of Representatives where she served seven terms. “If I can help bring about the change and move in that direction, I will have made my contribution,” Chisholm said. 8
Though she did not win the vote, Chisholm was extremely important and paved the way for many of your favorite African-American and female politicians today. Chisholm had a passion for education and social justice and continued to fight for those issues even after she left politics in 1983 to teach at Mount Holyoke College located in South Hadley, Mass. Chisholm died on January 1, 2005 at the age of 80. In 2015, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is regarded as the highest civilian award of the United States.
Alvin AILEY BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
One man who has been a true inspiration to the art form of dance is Alvin Ailey.
Ailey was born on January 5th, 1931 in Rogers, Tex. In 1958, he founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Ailey is known for popularizing modern dance around the world due to extensive world tours in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents. The Ailey Company has performed in front of 25 million people, as well as others through television, film screenings, and online platforms. According to the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation website in 2008, a U.S. Congressional resolution designated the company as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” that celebrates the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. Ailey made his Broadway debut in 1954 in the musical House of Flowers. The following years
he starred as the lead dancer in several musicals including, The Carefree Tree and Jamaica. The year he founded his dance company he debuted Blue Suites, but his most known work was Revelations, a piece derived from Ailey’s childhood memories. Ailey choreographed close to 80 ballets, which have been a huge influence and contribution to the American culture. In addition to his dance company, Ailey also formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, now called the Ailey School. In 1974 he expanded his dance company by establishing the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble. The dancers now affiliated with the Ailey’s dance company have continued to honor his work, memory, and legacy.
Herman’s WAY BY KIA SMITH
In 1968 America was filled with political and
social unrest, and life was honestly hard for many Black men, women and children. Despite the hardships, one man by the name of Herman Petty fed his entrepreneurial spirit by becoming the first Black man to own and operate a McDonald’s franchise in the inner city of Chicago. He opened his first restaurant on December 21, 1968 on 67th and Stony Island on the city’s South Side. In May of 1972 Petty then went on to become a founding member of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA), an organization dedicated to uniting minority business owners.
By the end of 1969, there were 12 Black owned McDonald’s all over the Midwest, and now the NBMOA grosses about 1 billion dollars annually. Petty passed away on March 21, 2009. He will be remembered as someone who paved the way for Black entrepreneurs across the country. 9
FRONTRUNNERS
Barack OBAMA
BY DARIEN BOYD
Though Barry O was raised in Hawaii, he is
considered one of Chicago’s own. For many, Obama’s presidency feels like the strongest example of progress that Blacks have made in this country. Who could have known the meeting of a white woman from Kansas and a Black man from Kenya would bring to the world the 44th president of the United States? Or that his becoming a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago would influence him to pursue a law degree from Harvard, and eventually a career in politics? His origins seem as farfetched as a “Black president,” yet history was made not once, but twice, with Obama being elected in both 2008 and 2012.
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Though many are divided on the success of Obama’s eight-year term, there cannot be denial of his achievements. Obama oversaw the legalization of gay marriage nationwide, affordable healthcare, the capturing of Osama Bin Laden, and made efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. His speeches have been lauded by many as some of the greatest, and his use of social media to not only secure his election but also appear relatable in the vein of pop culture, is a standard that will be modeled after by future presidents. For many children, all they have ever known is a Black president and a Black First Family. However anyone feels about the Obama presidency, there is no doubt that he will serve as an inspiration to people of color.
Misty COPELAND BY BRIANA WILSON
Let’s pause the twerking, bopping, and
As an outlet from a troubled home life, Copeland spent her free time at the Boys & Girls Club of America in San Pedro, CA. It was there that she caught the eye of her instructor Cynthia Bradley who immediately saw Copeland as a dance prodigy.
Nutcracker. She went on to study at the San Francisco Ballet School and the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive with the gift of a full scholarship. She was later chosen as the National Coca-Cola Scholar in 2000, followed by her joining the American Ballet Theatre Company months later. After joining the company, she gained many more titles including being the second African-American female soloist, and most importantly, the very first African-American female performer to be a principal dancer.
Copeland was able to achieve many accomplishments through dance. She was given the opportunity to perform at a charity event with Angela Bassett and also received the lead role in Debbie Allen’s production The Chocolate
Aside from having setbacks, challenges, and even injuries that could have stopped her from accomplishing her goals and dreams, Copeland always remained determined and didn’t let anything get in the way of making history.
dabbing to take time out to appreciate the beauty of ballet. This type of dance may not be important to some boppers, but it surely is the backbone of Misty Copeland.
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Toni MORRISON BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
Toni Morrison is one of the greatest novelists
to challenged and push social constructs. Her books offer a message for and about the AfricanAmerican community, and her stories are so eloquently written that the reader can be enticed by the art of it all. Morrison was born on February 18th, 1931 in Lorain, Oh. Her full name is Chloe Anthony Wofford. She adopted the nickname Toni after receiving the baptismal name Anthony, and took the name Morrison after marrying her husband Harold Morrison in 1958. In 1970 Morrison published her first novel The Bluest Eye. In 1973 Sula was published and later nominated for the American Book Award. Her next novel, Song of Solomon, hit shelves in 1977. All of Morrison’s novels explore the many forms of the AfricanAmerican experience. 12
Morrison is simply dope. Several of her novels are based in time periods like the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. African-Americans weren’t treated the best then, but Morrison showed the beauty in so much of the struggle the characters went through. In 1988, she won a Pulitzer Prize for Beloved. The novel was published in 1987 and is considered a masterpiece. Her most recent novel, God Help The Child, hit stands in 2015. Through her works, Morrison is a voice for the African-American community. Morrison’s messages remind us to take pride in where we come from and to never neglect our roots because they lead us to completion.
Halle BERRY BY BRIANA WILSON
The talented Halle Berry realized she
was naturally gifted at a young age after participating in pageants and earning the titles of Miss Teen Ohio, Miss Teen American, and even the first runner up in the 1985 Miss USA. After accepting the fact that entertainment is where she belonged, the Cleveland native left college and moved to Chicago to pursue an entertainment career that lead her to becoming one of the highest paid actresses today. She began with small landings like short-lived sitcoms, but her dedication and pure talent quickly led her to receiving large opportunities that gave her the chance to show everyone
why she deserves the title of best actress. She even overcame Hollywood’s racial barrier once she became the first African-American to play the queen of Sheeba in the Showtime’s movie Soloman and Sheeba. Berry would go on to appear in a number of movies including Jungle Fever, Boomerang, and Losing Isaiah, but it was her role in the 2001 movie Monster’s Ball that earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She is the first Black woman to be honored with this award.
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Sheila & Robert
JOHNSON
T
he former husband and wife team of Sheila and Robert Johnson made history with the launch of Black Entertainment Television (BET): the first cable TV franchise to target AfricanAmericans. While living in Washington, D.C. during the 70s Robert managed to secure a $500,000 investment from cable TV mogul John Malone, allowing Robert and Sheila Johnson to co-found BET in 1979. BET’s earliest broadcasts consisted of old films that featured Black actors in minor and major roles, as well as the broadcasting of football and basketball games from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). While initially focusing his attention on AfricanAmerican-owned advertising agencies, Robert was able to secure more financial investments and broadcasting hours. In an effort to increase staff and expand network programming, Robert hired recent graduates from HBCU’s and prepared them for careers in broadcasting. In 14
BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
1989, Sheila joined BET full time as head of community relations and managed to develop and produce her own show, “Teen Summit,” an acclaimed talk show where Black youth discussed pressing issues of the Black community. In 2001, the Johnsons sold BET to Viacom in an all-stock deal for over $2 billion, including debt, making them the first Black billionaires. In 2002, Robert purchased the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats franchise and the current WNBA team at the time, the Sting. This deal made Johnson the first Black controlling owner of a professional athletic team. She is the first Black woman with a stake in three professional sports teams (Washington Mystics WNBA franchise and a minority owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals) and with an estimated net worth of $400 million, ranks second only to Oprah Winfrey among the wealthiest Black females in the United States.
Barrington
IRVING BY KENNEDY WARD
Plenty of people dream of travelling around
the world, but Barrington Irving Jr. is one of the few to actually do it. Literally. At the age of 23, during his senior year of college at Florida Memorial University, Irving became the youngest pilot to fly a plane around the world solo, and the only Black person to do it in world history. At age 6, Irving and his parents moved from Jamaica to Miami. He admits to having seen some harsh realities in the streets of Miami, but he continuously found strength from his faith in God and his loving parents. It was inside the Christian bookstore that his parents owned
where he was inspired to pursue aviation after meeting a Black pilot. “I thought planes were cool, but I never thought I was smart enough to fly an aircraft. Capt. Gary Robinson approached me, almost out of the blue. That was my first time seeing a Black pilot,” Irving said in an interview with Airport Journals. On March 23, 2007, Irving took off from OpaLocka Airport near Miami in his single jet plane and landed there 96 days and 26,800 miles later on June 27, 2007. He told Airport Journals, “I feel blessed that I had a chance to maybe inspire kids out there, Black or White.... .”
Usain BOLT BY DARIEN BOYD
Track star Usain Bolt is not only a marvel
because of his record-breaking feats, but because somehow in the pressure packed moments leading up to his singular events, he delivers nothing less than greatness. In the 100m, 200m, 4X100m relay races for three Olympic games, Bolt has earned gold in each event. In 2008 he set a world record for his 100m time, and then bested that record in the following Olympics. He also holds the record for the 200m race, having ran a 19.30 in the 2008 Olympics, a time he went on to beat the next year at the World Championships in Athens. Compared to other sprinters, Bolt is seemingly an alien, towering over many runners past and present at his 6’5” stature. His long gangly legs only help his stride as he catches opponents from behind.
And then there is the signature pose – the left hand below the chin, the other arm stretched out towards the sky. For children who race around the world it is as iconic as the Michael Jordan Jumpman, and it represents a joy that is emphasized through Bolt’s enormous grin. For the poor Black Jamaicans of his native land, he is God in Pumas. For Blacks in the United States, he is hip-hop personified – cocky, but damn good. Tall, dark, and dominant, Bolt is an inspiration for people of color who watch him dominate on the world stage. In most events, people root for their home country to win. In the 100 and the 200 meter races they root for the Bolt. 15
OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL
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AD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE NATURAL TALENT AND HARD WORK OF OUR ANCESTORS, MANY OF US WOULD NOT HAVE THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE SET FOR OURSELVES. THE FOLLOWING LEGENDARY ARTISTS, ATHLETES AND ENTERTAINERS HAVE BEEN A POWERFUL SOURCE OF INSPIRATIONS TO MANY OF THE GREATS THAT WE LOOK UP TO TODAY.
Gordon PARKS BY KIA SMITH
Before your Ava Duvernays, Spike Lees and
many other prominent photographers and filmmakers who captured the essence of Black life, there was Gordon Parks. He is most known for his documentary style of photojournalism, notably during the 1940’s-1970’s, that primarily focused on the issues of civil rights. Selftaught, Parks was the first African-American to photograph for Vogue and Life magazines. Parks moved to Chicago in 1940 and became known for photographing the low-income neighborhoods on the city’s South Side. Aside from his photography notoriety, Parks is also known for being the first African-American to 16
direct a Hollywood film (Learning Tree, 1969) and was behind the birth of the Blaxploitation movement after his blockbuster film Shaft released in 1971.
Ava Duvernay, director of The Butler and 13th
Spike Lee, director of Do The Right Thing & Malcolm X
Wilma
RUDOLPH At the age of 16, Wilma Rudolph competed
Allyson Felix, Olympic Track Star
in her first Olympic games in 1956 taking home a bronze medal in the 400-meter relay. The win is pretty mind-blowing considering that when she was a kid she was told she would never walk after being diagnosed with polio.
woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympic Games. She became one of the most popular athletes of the Rome Games and an international superstar for her historic achievements.
After finishing high school, Rudolph enrolled at Tennessee State University, where she studied education and trained for the Rome Olympics. In 1960, Rudolph tied a world record in the 100-meter semifinals and won the event with her mark of 11.0 seconds in the final. Rudolph also broke the Olympic record in the 200-meter dash, before claiming another gold medal with her time of 24.0 seconds. She was even part of the U.S. team that established the world record in the 400-meter relay at 44.4 seconds, before winning gold. Rudolph became the first American
Following the Games, Rudolph made numerous appearances on television and received several honors, including the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year Award in both 1960 and 1961. After retiring, she went on to teach, coach and run a community center. In 2004, the United States Postal Service honored the Olympic champion by featuring her on a 23-cent stamp. Rudolph is remembered as one of the fastest women in track and serves as an inspirational icon for generations of athletes including Allyson Felix.
Althea
GIBSON BY KIA SMITH
Long before Venus and Serena Williams were born, there was another Black woman breaking barriers in tennis – Althea Gibson.
Originally from South Carolina, Gibson got her start in sports playing ping pong in grade school. When her family moved to Harlem, NY she competed in small competitions. Gibson graduated to the game of tennis, and later, at the Harlem Tennis Courts, she polished her skills and won a local tournament sponsored by the American Tennis Association (ATA) in 1941. Her love for the game continued and she won
Venus & Serena Williams World Cup Champions
more ATA tournaments. She went on to win 10 consecutive titles between 1947-1956. In 1952 Gibson became a top 10 player and turned pro by 1959. In 1971, she retired and went on to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame and served as a Commissioner of Athletics for New Jersey State. Gibson died of respiratory heart failure on September 28, 2008 leaving behind a great legacy that inspired the careers of champions like Venus and Serena. 17
Harry
BELEFONTE BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
As an actor Harry Belafonte is known for his
iconic performance in Carmen Jones and as a singer the “King of Calypso” is best remembered for the hits “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” and “Jamaica Farewell.” But Mr. Belafonte wears another hat – activist. Belafonte’s activism was inspired by actor/singer Paul Roberson, W.E.B. Dubois and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the 1950s and 1960s Belafonte became a known leader and powerful voice for the Civil Rights Movement and became King’s close friend and confidant. In addition to participating in numerous rallies and protests he also provided financial backing for the events.
Belafonte’s outspoken natural and constant call for justice over the years has paved the way for a new generation of entertainers who have also taken on an activist role such as actor Jesse Williams. He is the youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group. The “Grey’s Anatomy” star demonstrated his dedication to the cause during his acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award at the 2016 BET Awards. “This award is not for me,” he said. “It is for the real organizers all over the country. The activist, the civil right attorneys, the struggling parents, teachers, and students, who are realizing that a system built to divide, impoverish, and destroy us cannot stand if we do.”
Marlin BRISCOE BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
In 1968, Marlin Briscoe was drafted by the
Denver Broncos as a defensive back, in the 14th round of the NFL Draft. As suggested by his former coach, Brisco negotiated in his contract for a three-day opened training camp as a quarterback. When the time came to show his skills, he delivered throws that opened the door for him as starting QB.
Bengals becoming the first Black pro quarterback in the NFL. After 11 games played in this position, he was nominated and became the runner up for Rookie of the Year. After one season, the Broncos released him from his contract, traded him to the Buffalo Bills and ended his career as a quarterback.
On September 29, 1968, the Broncos sent Briscoe into action as quarterback, with under 10 minutes to play in the home opener against the Boston Patriots. That day Briscoe became the first African-American to play quarterback in the American Football League.
Briscoe wrapped up his career as wide receiver with the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions in 1975 and one final year with the New England Patriots in 1976. He had 224 career catches for 3,537 yards, scored 30 touchdowns, passed for 1,697 yards and 14 touchdowns, and rushed 49 times for 336 yards and three touchdowns. He defied the odds and paved the way for the Russell Wilsons and Cam Newtons of our generation.
A week later, Briscoe furthered his legacy as starting quarterback against the Cincinnati 18
Prince BY DARIEN BOYD
T
hough standing up to the man and maintaining musical independence may seem like the fashionable thing to do these days, Prince was writing “Slave” on his face and changing his name into an unpronounceable symbol to spite his label back in the 90s. The artist who gave us hits like “Purple Rain” and “Do Me Baby,” even made power moves back in 2001 with his NPG (New Power Generation) Music Club offering videos, exclusive tracks and preferred concert seating. Once again frustrated with the industry, he removed his music from all streaming services except for Jay-Z’s Tidal. For the most part, Prince did what he wanted on his terms, but he learned the hard way through an early career contractual dispute with Warner Bros. Records, that most artists don’t have full control of the music they create. In many ways Prince became the poster child for artists’ rights. He wanted to release music when he wanted and
not when the record label allowed him to, and he fought for a large portion of his career to make that happen. Chance the Rapper apparently took note of the Purple One’s circumstance. He figured out how to be an artist without the confinements of a record contract and how to distribute music on his own terms directly to fans. You don’t always have to follow the traditional route provided to get things done. We can thank Prince for showing us that.
Chance the Rapper Music Entrepreneur 19
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER
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F WE DON’T LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER, WHO WILL? MANY OF OUR ANCESTORS KNEW THIS TO BE A FACT, AND DESPITE THE DANGERS THAT COME WITH STANDING UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT THEY STILL MADE THE SACRIFICE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE NAMES YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Ida B. WELLS BY KIA SMITH
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lynching epidemics that were taking place all over America.
Born in Holly Springs, Miss. on July 16, 1862, Wells was the oldest of eight children. After the sudden death of her parents, she moved her siblings to Memphis, Tenn. and continued her
In 1892, Wells’ close friend and two business associates set up a grocery store in Memphis. The store attracted both Black and White customers and eventually became more successful than the White owned stores in the
ruly a woman before her time, Mrs. Ida B. Wells was an iconic figure in social justice, journalism and activism.
education at Fisk University. Well’s fire for activism was ignited when she bought a first class train ticket to Nashville in 1884 but was ordered to sit in the car for Black people by the train crew. A physical altercation and one circuit court case later, Wells sued the train company and won a $500 settlement for his misfortune. After that injustice, Wells wrote for many Black owned publications before becoming owner of her own publications called Memphis Free Speech and the Headlight. She also taught in the segregated Memphis schools where she became extremely vocal about the conditions Black students had to face. Eventually she was fired from the school system for speaking out and soon found another cause to be passionate about – 20
area, which sparked some jealousy. An attack on the store followed suit and Wells’ friends ended up shooting a few of the White storeowners. Before they were able to defend themselves, a lynch mob stole the men out of jail and publicly murdered them. That initial incident inspired Wells to become a crusader against lynching, and she even spent two months traveling throughout the South documenting these experiences, publishing editorial after editorial. In 1898, Wells brought her anti-lynching campaign to The White House, demanding the current president to make reforms against these heinous crimes. Wells died in Chicago of kidney disease in March of 1931, and left behind a legacy that many journalists and activists look up to today.
Huey P. NEWTON BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
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uey P. Newton was a Black man who knew what his people needed and wasn’t afraid to get it by any means necessary. Born February 17th, 1942 in Monroe, La., Newton co-founded the Black Panther Party (BPP) with Bobby Seale in 1966. The organization was centered around the Black Power Movement, established by Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture). The BPP was different from other organizations because it took a militant stance. Some of their political goals called for better housing, education, and jobs for African-Americans. The United States had their own army of police officers, and though the motto of the police is to protect and serve, in the 60s that motto didn’t always necessarily include Black people. Black people became targets of police brutality, and Newton felt that at this time Black people needed their own order of protection. Often times the Panthers would show up at arrests in progress to watch out for police
brutality, and this would cause great clash between the Panthers and White cops. Newton himself was accused and convicted of killing an officer during a traffic stop, but due to the “Free Huey” campaign supported by thousands, he was freed in 1970 after an appeals process. Newton was tough and he inspired so many others to keep with the militant theme of protecting Black people. Brothers like Sankofa Brown who so firmly believe in the “by any means necessary” strategy and creating the #WeWillShootBack movement online were inspired by courageous men like Huey P. Newton. 21
Fred HAMPTON BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
Fred Hampton, deputy chairman of the Illinois
chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP), had a way of bringing people together and making a difference. This gift made him a dangerous man in the eyes of many people. After high school, the Maywood, Ill. native, became involved in the Civil Rights Movement and joined his local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He rose to the position of Youth Council President and mobilized a racially integrated group of 500 young people. Together, they successfully lobbied city officials to create better academic services and recreational facilities for African-American children. In 1968, Hampton joined the BPP, founded the Chicago chapter and established a community service program making the Chicago BPP one of the biggest and most successful chapters in the country. Hampton also successfully negotiate a truce between some of Chicago’s gangs and built 22
diverse alliances with radical and revolutionary organizations, including the Blackstone Rangers street gang, the Puerto Rican organization Young Lords and the mostly-white organization Students for a Democratic Society. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Chicago Police Department attempted to dismantle the BPP chapter. In 1969, several BPP members and police officers were injured or killed in shootouts and over 100 local members of the BPP were arrested. During an early morning police raid of the BPP headquarters on December 4, 1969, Hampton and fellow Panther leader Mark Clark, were assassinated; four other Panther members were seriously injured. Over 5,000 people attended Hampton’s funeral. Years after their deaths, law enforcement officials admitted wrongdoing in the killing of Hampton and Clark. In 1990 and again in 2004, the Chicago City Council passed resolutions commemorating December 4th as Fred Hampton Day.
Michelle
ALEXANDER BY KENNEDY WARD
In a society where it’s common to hear White
CNN reporters generalize Black men as “thugs,” it’s critical that Black people have a voice of our own that seeks truth and accurate perspective when it comes to Black issues. Activist and writer Michelle Alexander is one of the core vessels in the revolutionary voice of Black America. In 2010, Alexander published the critically acclaimed book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness, criticizing and analyzing the issue of mass incarceration that plagues Black America, particularly Black men. A Vanderbilt University
graduate who majored in political science, Alexander experienced the reality of mass incarceration while working as a volunteer visitor at the Spencer Youth Correctional Center in Nashville, Tenn. during her college years. Her experiences there led her to devote her time to studying mass incarceration and the modern day drug war more in depth. She went on to become a litigator at private law firms, working particularly on lawsuits alleging race and gender discrimination. Alexander is currently a law professor at Ohio State University.
Deray
MCKESSON BY DARIEN BOYD
Deray McKesson is considered by some to be THE face of the Black Lives Matter movement because of the media attention he has received. After 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, MO., McKesson arrived in the town days later to see the protests he had been witnessing on Twitter firsthand. McKesson decided to take weekly trips to St. Louis to participate in the protests, and he eventually became a constant in many of the protesting sites across the country where Blacks had been slain victims at the hands of police. Along with other activists, he has used social media as a means to provide observers with a view of what is happening on the “grounds” of the protests against police brutality. Not only did it help
those who were aware become more so, but the presence of the BLM movement has helped fight the narrative that protestors are violent. Prior to his fame, McKesson was an elementary school math teacher in New York City. He began to rise in the ranks as an official in the public school districts of Baltimore, Harlem, and even Minneapolis, which is where he was before he his trip to St. Louis. He even ran for mayor of Baltimore. Though he has met criticism from those who believe he profits from his publicity, McKesson continues to fight for the people in his own way – one protest at a time. 23
Black Lives
MATTER FOUNDERS BY BRIANA WILSON
There have been many trends that individuals would follow on social media, but none of them has been important enough to be made into a movement, that is until the phrase Black Lives Matter began in 2013. The movement was founded after it became public knowledge that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was placed on trial of his own killing and the killer, George Zimmerman, was found not guilty for taking the life of the teen. Out of the millions of citizens angered by the inequality shown to African-Americans, three females decided to raise awareness of how important Blacks are in society. Alicia Garcia, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors were motivated to create the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter to begin to build human
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rights and dignity that they felt Blacks lacked. Due to having brothers that they feared could have been in an unlawful situation such as those on the news, they devoted time and effort to do what they could to unite African-Americans during tragic events. Aside from people with good intentions misusing the term #BlackLivesMatters, Garcia, Tometi, and Patrisse have continued to strive towards their goal of protesting unlawful crimes involving Blacks while also showing the love and appreciation we deserve. While fighting for justice is important, the three founders are also determined to create equality for queer, disabled, Blackundocumented, Blacks with records, and all others of African descent.
HOLDING IT DOWN
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HERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO CARE ENOUGH ABOUT THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO GIVE THEIR TIME, MONEY, AND EVEN THEMSELVES TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR OTHERS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW WELL-KNOWN FACES THAT GIVE BACK THROUGH THEIR PERSONAL FOUNDATIONS.
Common BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
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ip-hop was and is one of the biggest platforms Black people use to express their issues. This art form has been incredibly significant and essential to the culture of Black people. Rapper Common has been one of those influential and significant figures in the hip-hop community. The Chicago South Sider, originally known as Common Sense, debuted his first album Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992. Since then he’s collaborated with artists like Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Mos Def, D’Angelo, MC Lyte, Cee Lo, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu and Q-Tip. The multi Grammy-winner even earned himself an Oscar for the song “Glory”.
the children a sense of hope, self-esteem, and love that will better the world,” said Common. The Youth Mentoring Program of the foundation is a three-year commitment with a team of volunteers, coaches, mentors, and instructors working with students and having them participate in cultural field trips, community service projects, and social outings. Every summer the students attend the Dreamers and Believers Summer Camp, where they participate in water activities, team building, trust walks, yoga and creative arts.
Common is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation, a non-profit organization whose aim is to “empower high school students to become future leaders.”
Recently the foundation has added a college readiness component to the program. In this program the students take ACT/SAT prep classes, admission essay writing workshops, go on college tours, and scholarship strategies. All of these activities are geared towards helping better our youth and keeping them off the streets and preventing exposure to violence of any kind.
“I started the Common Ground Foundation because I wanted to help. Most of all help people to help themselves. I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom. Give
Since the summer of 2014 Common has produced the star-studded AAHH Fest concert. Proceeds from the event support Common Ground and Donda’s House foundation programming. 25
Tom JOYNER BY DARIEN BOYD
Radio listeners familiar with the “It’s the
Tom Joyner Morning Show!” theme song might also know about the Fantastic Voyage annual cruise. The weeklong boat party that features legendary R&B acts like Frankie Beverly & Maze or Earth, Wind, & Fire is the dream vacay for our parents, aunties and uncles. This good time on the water is arranged for more than just a much-needed get-away. The funds received go to the Tom Joyner Foundation to financially support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). According to the foundation’s website, since 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has raised over $60 million in its efforts to keep students
enrolled in HBCU’s. The foundation offers a variety of scholarships for students entering college as well as those who are already enrolled. HBCUs account for 20 percent of degrees awarded to African-Americans, 70 percent of all Black dentists and lawyers, and 50 percent of the nation’s Black engineers according to UNCF (United Negro college Fund). Joyner himself is a Tuskegee University alum. Joyner has decided to use his influence to help expand opportunities for young people of color. Remember that the next time you hear that morning show theme song.
Steve & Marjorie HARVEY FOUNDATION BY KENNEDY WARD
Steve Harvey is definitely one of the most
successful comedians of our time, but what many young people may not know is that he and his wife, Marjorie, dedicate so much of their time to a very serious cause – young, Black success. Together, the couple created the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, a non-profit organization the seeks to ensure “that the needs of the whole child are met through the development of programs and support of community-based organizations that foster excellence in the areas of health, education and social well-being within urban and ethnically diverse communities.” Mentoring programs, international travel opportunities and skill 26
building sessions are all a part of what the foundation has to offer the youth. Although Steve is now half of one of Black America’s favorite power couples, with a successful talk show, radio show, game show and acting career under his belt, he also knows what it means to struggle. During the 80s, He was homeless for three years and lived in his 1976 Ford Tempo, using public bathrooms to bathe. Hardships like these are what inspired him to support young Black men and women to follow paths of success in hopes of achieving their dreams.
STYLIN’
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UR OWN INDIVIDUAL STYLE AND SWAG IS WHAT SETS US APART FROM OTHER PEOPLE, AND IT’S WHAT HELPS US CREATE OUR IDENTITY. WHETHER WE ARE WEARING DASHIKIS, KENTE CLOTH, BELL-BOTTOMS, OR ROCAWEAR BLACK PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS DONE WELL WITH MAKING A NAME IN THE FASHION WORLD. HERE ARE A FEW DESIGNERS WE CAN THANK FOR KEEPING US IN STYLE.
Arthur MCGEE BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
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n 1957 Arthur McGee began a successful career in fashion and was known as the dean of African-American designers. At the age of 18, the Detroit native entered the Traphagen School of Design contest and won a scholarship to attend the school in 1951. He went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. When McGee became the first African-American to run the design room of an established Seventh Avenue apparel company, Bobby Brooks, he sold many of his designs to stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Lord and Taylor. Around the 1960s He opened his first store in New York City and he became the designer for stars such as Lena Horne, Cicely Tyson, and Stevie Wonder. McGee is considered the godfather of fashion designers of color, and with this accolade he mentored young designers such as Willi Smith and Elena Braith. This man who designed swimsuits and wraps in African print and gowns in mud cloth, created looks that best represented the style of a Black person and expressed our beauty to the fullest. “McGee created elegant clothes allowing for freedom of movement, great fit with new fittings.
McGee’s designs were high fashion or casual but always fashionable,” said Arthur Mitchell, co-founder of The Dance Theater of Harlem. In 2009 the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art honored McGee for his contribution to the fashion industry. 27
Dapper DAN BY KENNEDY WARD
No group knows the power of logos better
than the hip-hop community. With designers like Gucci, Maison Margeila, and Louis Vuitton embedded in rap’s most popular lyrics, fashion brands are symbols for status, money and power in the hip-hop world. In the ‘80s, no one knew this truth better than Dapper Dan, a legendary fashion designer who made the art of dressing hustlers his hustle. His self-titled boutique opened in Harlem in 1982 on 125th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues. Born in 1982 as Daniel Day, he became famous for his boutique designs that primarily consisted of leather clothes and accessories that sported screen-printed logos from fashion’s biggest
brands. Those oversized tan leather Louis Vuitton printed jackets? Yeah, those were his designs. And they were huge, both in physical size and popularity. Dan doesn’t refer to his designs as knockoffs, but rather “knockups.” High fashion brands during that time neither catered to nor included Black subculture in their design process, making Dan’s urban bougie custom styles a hit amongst Black celebrities and street hustler alike. Dressing the likes of boxing champ Mike Tyson and rapper LL Cool J (and some drug kingpins like the notorious Alberto Martinez), “Dapper Dan’s was Tom Ford before Tom Ford,” Nas once said.
Cross
COLOURS BY DARIEN BOYD
For hip-hop culture, the 1990s is not just
considered the “Golden Era” for the quality of music, but for the styles that the genre inspired. Brands that were popular in the ‘90s are back in vogue, and those looking to recapture that era in their designs are finding a profitable lane. One of the most seen brands of the time was Cross Colours. The brainchild of Los Angeles based designers Carl Jones and TJ Walker, the brand is iconic for its baggy fit, blends of bright colors, and the seemingly ever-present green and yellow “CXC” logo. Do some googling and you will find some of the biggest celebrities rocking the iconic line, including Magic Johnson, TLC, Snoop Dogg and even the late great Muhummad 28
Ali. If you look close enough, you could catch Will Smith rocking the gear on a rerun of “The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air”. Cross Colours’ impact was not limited to clothes. Jones and Walker put in efforts in the community as well. The company created the Cross Colours Common Ground Foundation, which was designed to reduce gang violence. They even made efforts to provide uplifting messages in their advertising as with the primary slogan “Coloring Without Prejudice.” Though manufacturing was forced to stop in 1994 (due to the overdemand of their products) Cross Colours’ imagery had a lasting visual impact for the rest of the decade. And with the resurgence of all things vintage, Cross Colours is back in business, now available to order online.
Tracy REESE BY BRIANA WILSON
Teens have been eager to purchase items such as True Religion, Gucci, and even Balenciagas. But will these items be attractive to you once you get older and realize it is time to dress more professional? In addition to dressing in a presentable manner, it is important to feel just as great as you look. That is why Tracy Reese is such a highly praised fashion designer. Born in Detroit, Mich., Reese had grown up with the passion for fashion. At a young age, she began creating outfits with the help of her mother who shared the same passion. Once old enough, Reese went on to further her fashion skills at Parsons School of Design. After graduation in 1984, she worked under designer Martine Sitbon. She went on to work in some of the industry’s top fashion houses and was featured in top publications like Vogue and Essence. The
accomplishments helped to get her name and brand out to the masses, including people such as Taylor Swift and former First Lady Michelle Obama. After people laid eyes on her pieces worn by such well-known people, her fan base and brand began to grow. With lines such as “Plenty” and “Plenty DRESSES,” Reese has much to offer for all customers including the opportunity to embrace their beauty and body while looking great. It is always important to make sure you love yourself both inside and out. By wearing Reese’s clothing, it is easy for a female to dress to impress while feeling her best.
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Willi SMITH BY KIA SMITH
At the time of his death in 1987, Willi Smith
was regarded as one of the most successful Black fashion designers in the industry. Smith, a Parsons School of Design attendee, was innovative, creative and had a classic look to his designs. He was the first to pioneer what would later be called “Street Couture” where he was the first designer to create both men’s and women’s clothing in the same organization mixing clean lines and rich fabrics to create unique looks.
A man truly before his time, Smith was the first designer to showcase his designs on videotape and he even traveled to Senegal to create a film where he played six parts. The year prior to death, his WilliWear line appeared in over 500 department stores and specialty shops and was reported to have grossed $25 million in sales.
Barbara BATES BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
Chi-town native Barbara Bates taught herself
how to be a fashion designer. Her unique designs have earned a reputation for having lots of texture and bold color. Bates has a diverse clientele that includes everyday people as well as celebrities. Her designs have been worn by Michael Jordan, Whitney Houston, Mike Tyson, Oprah Winfrey and Steve Harvey just to name a few. In 1986 Bates opened a 700 square-foot showroom in Chicago’s South Loop where she sold her designs. In 1999 she founded the
because most teens want to be seen as important. Being able to wear a designer outfit that makes a girl feel like Rihanna or Beyoncé for a night can
Barbara Bates Foundation to make prom attire for underprivileged students from the inner-city schools of Chicago.
be just the thing to boost a teen’s confidence in a positive direction.
According to the Barbara Bates Foundation, the donation of designer gowns and tuxedos goes a long way in encouraging teens to set high goals for themselves. This is not a far-fetched notion 30
Bates, a Marshall High School grad who became a mom at 15, displays a vision of hope and success for today’s youth. She wanted more for herself so she went out into the world and got it. Now she inspires others to do the same.
Ozwald BOATENG BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
By 1987, Ozwald Boateng’s reputation as
a designer of unique and dynamic tailoring quickly spread. In 1995, at the age of 28, he opened his first retail store on Vigo Street at the end of London’s prestigious Savile Row. Boateng attracted a younger clientele to the area by fusing traditional British tailoring designs and influences of bright, rich colors from his Ghanaian heritage. A year later, he won the Award for Best Menswear Designer at the Trophées de la Mode in Paris. Boateng has had numerous achievements including making fashion history in 2003 when he was appointed by Bernard Arnault, as creative director for menswear for French Fashion House Givenchy. In 2005, he celebrated 20 years at the forefront of British tailoring with an exhibition held in his
honor at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London – making him one of only a handful of designers to have this honor. A year later, Boateng was deemed an “Officer of the order of the British Empire” by the Queen and joined forces with friends to form Made in Africa – an organization dedicated to bringing innovative ideas to Africa while advising governments on infrastructure, innovation and development finance. Boateng has dressed celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Laurence Fishburne and Spike Lee, and sells suits for as much as $40,000. When he set up a design studio on Portobello Road, he hoped to start a journey that would allow him to change the course of men’s fashion and become one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Fortunately for him, he’s done just that.
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HISTORY IN THE MAKING
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HERE IS A GREAT SINCE OF PRIDE THAT COMES WITH BEING THE FIRST TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING. THOSE WHO MANAGE TO GRAB HOLD TO SUCH A DISTINCTION AUTOMATICALLY EARN A PLACE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS FOR ACHIEVING SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE HAS MANAGED TO DO. TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING MODERN DAY HISTORY.
Cathy HUGHES BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
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athy Hughes, a trailblazer in radio broadcasting and advertising, is the founder and chairperson of Radio One, Inc., the largest African-American owned and operated broadcast-company in the nation. Radio One is the parent corporation of TV One, a partnership with Comcast, and Reach Media, the home of shows featuring Tom Joyner, Rev. Al Sharpton, Yolanda Adams, Russ Parr, Rickey Smiley and James Fortune, as well as Interactive One, home of Black Planet, NewsOne and Hello Beautiful. Radio One is also the first African-American company in radio history to dominate several major markets simultaneously and possesses the first woman-owned radio station to rank No. 1 in any major market. Born in Omaha, Neb., Hughes moved to Washington, D.C. in 1971, and became a lecturer in the School of Communications at Howard University. In 1972, she entered radio as the general sales manager(GSM) at WHUR, Howard University Radio. While serving as GSM, Hughes increased station revenue from $250,000 to $3 million in her first year. In 1975, she became the first woman vice president and general manager of a station in the nation’s 32
capital and created the format known as the Quiet Storm. The Quiet Storm revolutionized urban radio and was aired on over 480 stations nationwide. After purchasing her first station in 1980, WOL-AM in D.C., Hughes pioneered yet another innovative format – 24 hour talk from a Black perspective. With the theme, “Information is Power,” Hughes served as the station’s morning show host for 11 years. WOL is still the most listened to talk radio station in the nation’s capital. Radio One is now a public company, making Hughes the first African-American woman to chair a publicly held corporation. In 2016, Hughes became the new namesake for Howard University’s School of Communications. In honor of her lifetime commitment to excellence in the media industry, the university officially renamed the school Cathy Hughes School of Communications.
Rosalind BREWER BY KIA SMITH
Did you know that one of the people calling
the shots at Starbucks is a Black woman? Probably not, but here’s what we know about her: Her name is Rosalind Brewer and she was born in 1962 and went to Spelman College where she earned a degree in chemistry and she attended both the advanced management program at The Wharton School and The Directors College at the University of Chicago College of Business/Stanford School of Law. Prior to joining Starbucks, Brewer worked for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation for 22 years as a scientist and then became president of the Global Nonwovens Sector in 2004.
Known for her innovation and demand for diversity in business, Brewer who also worked for Walmart, gained Sam’s Club $57 billion in revenue in 2015 by introducing an option for shoppers that enabled them to retrieve their groceries within two hours after pressing “send” on their Sam’s Club app. In 2014, Forbes magazine even named Brewer as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. After five years with Sam’s Club, Brewer was named the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Starbucks in October of 2017.
Nzinga
SHAW BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
While the NBA is male-dominated both on
the court and in the boardroom, Atlanta Hawks Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Nzinga Shaw, is working to change that dynamic. Serving as the National Basketball Association’s first-ever diversity chief and the first person in all 122 professional sports teams in North America to hold the position, Shaw, a Spelman alum, stepped into her role with the Hawks in December 2014. In this role, Shaw is responsible for creating an inclusive culture across all business units for both the Hawks and Philips Arena as it relates to employee engagement, fan engagement, and strategic partnerships. In September of 2014, the Atlanta Hawks made headlines when both the majority owner
and general manager were accused of using discriminatory and offensive language, about the Hawks’ predominantly Black fan base and one of the team’s top recruits. The Hawks decided to seek help from Edelman, the world’s largest and most profitable public relations agency. As the Senior Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Edelman, Shaw and her team implemented a plan to help the Hawks rebound from the crisis. The plan was so successful, that the Hawks received the Technology Association of Georgia’s Business Champion of Diversity Award, and Shaw received a job offer, a spot on Rolling Out magazine’s “Top 25 Women of Atlanta” list, and the Network Journal’s “40 Under Forty Achievement Award.” 33
Hank Willis THOMAS BY VERNITA BEDIAKO
W.E.B. DuBois once said, “All art is
propaganda. There is no such thing as art for art sake.” He believed that art was never just created to be aesthetically pleasing. Judging by the work of Hank Willis Thomas, he believes the same thing. Thomas, is one of the most influential contemporary visual artists, photographers, sculptors and arts educators around today. His main focus is on identity, history, and popular culture. In November 2008 Thomas won the Aperture West Book Prize for his monograph Pitch Blackness. Over the years Thomas has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States including, The Museum of Modern Art New York, The Solomon R. Guggenheim, and
Kamala
HARRIS BY KENNEDY WARD
Nov. 8, 2016 was an unforgettable day in
American politics. That was the day Kamala Harris became only the second Black woman in history to be elected into the U.S. Senate. On the night of her election, Harris acknowledged that while many were praising her election, millions were also in a state of devastation at the results of the presidential election. “When we have been attacked and when our ideals and fundamental ideals are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight,” Harris said to a crowd in Los Angeles. A Democrat representing the state of California, Harris is becoming the new face of hope. 34
The High Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Through Thomas’s work, he is able to embody one of the common themes represented in the African-American community, identity. Thomas is aware that his people at times may lack knowing their true selves, which can take a toll. The lack of this knowledge has led so many to a life of destruction. Through his work Thomas shows his people and his community the importance of self-discovery. With this knowledge comes strength and with this strength comes power – power over our lives, our community, and our world.
The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris grew up in the midst of the Berkeley, CA, Civil Rights Movement. She attended both Baptist churches and Hindu temples as a child. In the 1970s, her elementary school class became the second one to use busing as a method of citywide integration. Having spent six years as California’s attorney general, Harris has developed an expert view on the way law enforcement approaches crime and sentencing, saying, “We need to put an end to mass-incarceration and that means providing educational and economic opportunities, ending bans on government benefits and curbing draconian sentencing laws for drug and nonviolent crimes.”
Jewell
JONES BY SUBRIA WHITAKER
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n 2015, University of Michigan-Dearborn student Jewell Jones, 20 at the time, became the youngest member of the Inkster, MI, city council. As a councilman, Jones focused on Inkster’s education system, which was dissolved in 2013 due to a $15 million budget deficit. Other goals included improving public safety, economic development and income equality. In 2012, Jones campaigned for State Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights), who became the youngest Michigan senator at age 28. In 2014, Jones attended the Congressional Black Caucus conference in Washington, D.C., which sparked his interest in seriously running for office. Jones initially met with an Inkster councilmember to pick his brain about running for city council, and soon found himself filling out paperwork to enter the race. On November 8, 2016, Jones became the youngest member elected to the Michigan House of Representatives at 21 years of age. The seat became vacant following the sudden passing of former Rep. Julie Plawecki in 2016. As the Democratic nominee for the 11th district after running unopposed in the primary, Jones successfully – and to some, surprisingly – beat his opponent, Republican Robert Pope, with approximately 66 percent of the vote. In his quest to secure victory for a seat in the House of Representatives, Jones ran on a platform of keeping higher education affordable, protecting natural resources, enhance services to senior citizens, increasing school funding and strengthening quality education opportunities,
assisting local businesses with job creation and protection, boosting economic development, and fighting for the district’s fair share of road repair and funding. His main issues include economic development, community and public safety, and parks and recreation. Jones, a graduating senior, double major in political science and finance, and a United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) member, is also a member of the Black Student Union and the Student Veterans Association, and a senior deacon at his church. His back-toback historic victories are paving the way for Black youth and community leaders interested in creating change for the community as an elected official. In this time of uncertainty, Jones’ success echoes the importance and relevance of President Barack Obama’s historic run at the local level. 35
Issa RAE BY KIA SMITH
If you ever wanted to figure out a way to take
the social media world by storm, then look no further than Issa Rae, an actress, writer, director and producer. Rae’s rise to fame came thanks to her 2011 YouTube show “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”. The online show was the precursor to her HBO hit series “Insecure,” which channels the ups and downs of post college relationships from a Black point of view. The show’s success earned Rae two Golden Globe nominations. Rae went on to create and direct many more online shows which all went viral. Her content has brought in more than 23 millions views and over 200,000 YouTube subscribers to her channel. All the attention earned Rae a spot on Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list. Her book,
same title as the show, is a New York Times Bestseller. Rae has received several honors including a Shorty Award for Best Web Show. She even shared the May 2015 cover of Essence magazine with Mara Brock Akil, Shonda Rhimes and Ava Duvernay, all ground breaking Black women in media who have been taking the industry by storm. It was recently announced that Rae inked a new developmental deal with HBO to create two more shows, a comedy and a drama, featuring Black cast members.
Donald GLOVER BY DARIEN BOYD
It’s hard to think of an instance where one
individual puts out a critically acclaimed television show and a critically acclaimed album all within a four-month span. That’s how the fourth quarter of 2016 played out for Donald Glover, who as a recording artist goes by the name Childish Gambino, a name that he got from putting his real name into a WuTang name generator. Glover’s new FX show “Atlanta” (a short distance from his hometown of Stone Mountain, Ga.) earned him two Golden Globe awards for Best Actor and Best Comedy Series. His album Awaken My Love received rave reviews, garnering high scores from revered publications like Pitchfork and the Rolling Stone. Even Funkadelic frontman 36
George Clinton himself has given the album his seal of approval. Both “Atlanta” and Awaken, My Love are smart and entertaining, but also for many observers speaks strongly to the Black cultural experience. Glover is not new to the spotlight. Even though this is his third Childish Gambino release, many people remember him more for the NBC shows “Community” and “30 Rock,” which he gueststared on and wrote for. It is telling, however, that his success is reaching critical heights as he tells the stories of young African-Americans. At 34, the best is yet to come for Donald Glover.
GOOD READS
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OME PEOPLE SIMPLY HEAR THE WORD “BOOK” AND ARE AUTOMATICALLY READY TO TAKE A NAP. THE TRICK IS FINDING THE RIGHT BOOK THAT PIQUES YOUR INTEREST. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU LIKE MYSTERIES, LOVE STORIES, BIOGRAPHIES OR HISTORICAL FICTION, ONCE YOU TAP INTO THE GENRE YOU LIKE YOU’LL SOON SEE THAT THERE IS NOTHING BORING ABOUT READING AT ALL. TAKE THIS LIST WITH YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO THE LIBRARY OR BOOKSTORE AND GET READY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH BOOKS. 1. Assata BY ASSATA SHAKUR
2. Malcolm X BY ALEX HALEY
3. Visions for Black Men BY NA’IM AKBAR
4. The Coldest Winter Ever BY SISTER SOULJAH
5. Dreams From My Father BY BARACK OBAMA
6. Monster
BY WALTER DEAN MYERS
7. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings BY MAYA ANGELOU
8. Their Eyes Were Watching God BY ZORA NEAL HURSTON
9. When Chickenheads Come To Roost BY JOAN MORGAN
10. The Invisible Man BY RALPH ELLISON
11. The Bluest Eye BY TONI MORRISON
12. Makes Me Want To Holler BY NATHAN MCCALL
13. Kindred
BY OCTAVIA BUTLER
14. Outliners: The Story of Success BY MALCOLM GLADWELL
15. Ghost Summer BY TANANARIVE DUE
16. Minion BY L.A. BANKS
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FACTUAL FLIX
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NE OF LIFE’S GREATEST PLEASURES IS CHILLAXIN’ WITH A GOOD MOVIE. WHAT’S EVEN BETTER IS BEING ENTERTAINED AND LEARNING A LITTLE SOMETHING AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE PLENTY OF GREAT MOVIES OUT THERE THAT TELL A GOOD STORY AND ARE GROUNDED IN THE HISTORICAL FACTS OF BLACK CULTURE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND THEM. HERE’S A MUST-SEE LIST TO GET YOU STARTED.
1. Amistad 2. Race 3. Tuskegee Airmen 4. The Butler 5. Birth of a Nation 6. 12 Years A Slave 7. Selma 8. American Promise 9. 13th 10. Fruitvale Station 11. Hoop Dreams 38
12. Pursuit of Happyness 13. The Great Debaters 14. Hotel Rowanda 15. The Last King of Scotland 16. Hidden Figures 17. Malcolm X 18. The Josephine Baker Story 19. Lady Sings the Blues 20. Rosewood 21. Marley 22. Miss Evers’ Boys 23. Ray 24. Introducing Dorothy Dandridge 25. Glory 39
Let’s be fearless. Fearless to challenge ourselves. Fearless not to take the easy way out. Fearless to live the dream. To extend educational opportunities. And to help future generations be strong. Because when we stand together, there’s nothing to fear.
©2017 McDonald’s 40