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The Grio Awards are annual national awards bestowed in a number of categories by The Grio (theGrio.com), an American news website geared toward
African Americans African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
. The Grio is a division of the MSNBC cable channel. Begun in 2010, the Grio's 100 list of "History Makers in the Making" honors those who are shaping American's future today; its award winners are selected not only from the African American community, but also from all sections of America. The ten award categories are Business, Health, Education, Science & the Environment, Media, Pop Culture, Arts & Culture, Service & Activism, Politics and Sports, and ten people are selected from each category. To make the Grio 100 list, winners must display a large-scale impact on all of America, and their work must be ongoing. The editorial team at theGrio.com, after consulting contributors and experts, decides the final outcome of the awards. The top 100 change every year.


Grio Awards 2013

* Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., dermatologist * Amar'e Stoudemire, professional basketball player * Terrie M. Williams, advocate for mental health awareness *
Carolyn McCaskill Carolyn McCaskill is a deaf, African American, counselor and professor. She has been teaching at Gallaudet University since 1996, and currently holds the position of associate professor in the ASL and Deaf Studies Department. Education PhD, G ...
, sign language advocate * Anthony McGill and
Demarre McGill Demarre McGill is an American classical musician who is principal flutist of the Seattle Symphony. He is also one of the few African-American musicians who hold positions in professional orchestras. Early life and education McGill began playing ...
, classical musicians * Terrence J., TV personality * Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, comedy duo * Drs. Vincent and Vance Moss, surgeons * Peter Ramsey, film director * Quvenzhané Wallis, actress * Will Packer, film producer * Franchesca Ramsey, designer, blogger, and comedian *
Rick Kittles Rick Antonius Kittles (born in Sylvania, Georgia, Sylvania, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States) is an American biologist specializing in human genetics and a Senior Vice President for Research at the Morehouse School of Medicine. He is ...
, scientific director of African Ancestry, Inc. * Ava DuVernay, film director * Kerry Washington, actress *
Nick Cave Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian singer, songwriter, poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor. Known for his baritone voice and for fronting the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Ca ...
, contemporary artist * Claressa Shields, Olympic boxer * Dr. Nadine Gracia, director of the Office of Minority Health * Gabby Douglas, Olympic gymnast * Ty Hunter, Beyoncé's stylist * Arian Foster, NFL player * Keija Minor, editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Magazine * Dr. Robert J. Gore, doctor and violence prevention advocate * Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist * Ken Williams, general manager of the Chicago White Sox * Tripoli Patterson, champion surfer * Dr. Naeemah Ghafur, family medicine physician * Judy Smith, inspiration behind the hit show 'Scandal' * Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, mental health research healer * Solange Knowles, singer *
Rob Nabors Robert Lee Nabors II (; born March 27, 1971) was the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from 2014 to 2016. He previously served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and several other senior roles in the Obama Whit ...
, Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House * Walter Kimbrough, president of Dillard University * Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston and Dr. Gayle K. Porter, promoters of health among midlife women * Kendrick Lamar, hip-hop artist * Gary Clark Jr., blues artist * Elle Varner, R&B artist * Antron Brown, drag racer * Wendy Williams, daytime TV personality * Taylor Townsend, tennis player *
Benjamin Crump Benjamin Lloyd Crump (born October 10, 1969) is an American attorney who specializes in civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases such as wrongful death lawsuits. His practice has focused on cases such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, ...
, Legal Hand for victims * Madu Eneli, teen author * Drs. James K. Aikins Jr. and Charletta A. Ayers, co-founders of International HealthCare Volunteers, Inc. * Ken Strickland, NBC's Washington, D.C. bureau chief * Jabari Parker, basketball player * Nina Turner, Ohio state senator * Brendon Ayanbadejo, Super Bowl-winning LGBT advocate *
Susan Rice Susan Elizabeth Rice (born November 17, 1964) is an American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official serving as Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, Rice served as the 27th ...
, United States National Security Advisor * Robert Griffin III, NFL player * Lia Neal, Olympic swimmer *
RZA Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name the RZA ( ), is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and record producer. He is the ''de facto'' leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having produced most albums ...
, Wu-Tang Clan member * Wanda Butts, founder of the Josh Project * Rodney Stearns, iPhone app developer * Aprille Ericsson, engineer * Shaun Evans, owner of OMBO Apps * Ibranhim Abdul-Matin, author of 'Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting The Planet' * Kat Calvin, founder of 'Black Girls Hack' *
Lee Saunders Lee A. Saunders is a leader of the labor movement in the United States. He was elected to succeed Gerald W. McEntee as President of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), one of the largest an ...
, president of the nation's largest labor union * Laura Smalls, fashion designer * William Barber, civil rights leader *
Svante Myrick Svante L. Myrick (born March 15, 1987) is an American politician who formerly served as the mayor of Ithaca, New York. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Raised in the town of Earlville, New York, Myrick was elected to the Ithaca Common Coun ...
, mayor of Ithaca, New York * Kiante Young, entrepreneur * Nzinga Knight, designer * Anthony Foxx, mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina * Amos Winbush III, musician and tech entrepreneur *
Dinaw Mengestu Dinaw Mengestu (ዲናው መንግስቱ) (born 30 June 1978) is an Ethiopian-American novelist and writer. In addition to three novels, he has written for ''Rolling Stone'' on the war in Darfur, and for ''Jane Magazine'' on the conflict in north ...
, novelist * Randal Pinkett, ''Apprentice'' winner * Dambisa Moyo, economist * Vera Moore, soap opera star and makeup guru * Salaam Coleman Smith, president of NBC Universal's Style network * Mellody Hobson, leader of Ariel Investments * Earl Phalen, CEO and founder of Phalen Leadership Academies and Summer Advantage USA * Oscar L. Harris, businessman and architect *
Farrah Gray Farrah Gray (born Farrakhan Khalid Muhammad; born September 9, 1984) is an American businessman, investor, author, columnist, and motivational speaker. Gray was raised on Chicago's South side. He is the son of the late black nationalist leader Kh ...
, book publisher * Sabrina Lamb, author and media commentator *
Dylan C. Penningroth Dylan C. Penningroth is a historian and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2012, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellows Program grant. Life Penningroth received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1993 ...
, history professor * Susan E. Chapman, SVP of Global Real Estate and Workplace Enablement for American Express * Dorian Warren, Columbia University Scholar-Activist * Tommie Lindsey, teacher * Tambay Obenson, film fanatic * Brittney Exline, Ivy League prodigy * Dean Baquet, managing editor of the Times * Chadwick Boseman, actor *
Steven Horsford Steven Alexzander Horsford (born April 29, 1973) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Nevada's 4th congressional district since 2019, previously holding the position from 2013 to 2015. A member of the ...
, Nevada Congressman *
Mario Armstrong Mario Armstrong is an American radio and television talk show host, entrepreneur, podcaster and public speaker. Armstrong appears regularly on the Today show, CNN, HLN, the American Urban Radio Networks and NPR's Morning Edition. His self-titl ...
, co-founder of Urban Videogame Academy * Emi Kolawole, Washington Post blogger * Michael Strahan, former NFL player * Stefanie Brown, National African American Vote director * Gregory Lowe, CEO of Lowekey Media * Barbara R. Arwine, executive director of Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights under Law * Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney * Brittney Griner, basketball player * Swizz Beatz, hip-hop producer * Beverly Bond, founder of Black Girls Rock, Inc. *
Valeisha Butterfield Jones Valeisha Butterfield Jones is the co-president of The Recording Academy. Early life and education Butterfield Jones is the daughter of U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield and North Carolina State Legislator Jean Farmer-Butterfield. She graduated ...
, chair of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network * Nerfertiti Martin and Emily Carpenter, gender equality youth activists * Isis King, transgender activist * Robin Roberts, co-host, 'Good Morning America' * Kelvin Doe, teen innovator * Karen Lewis, president, Chicago Teachers Union *
Suzanne Shank Suzanne may refer to: People * Suzanne (given name), a feminine given name (including a list of people with the name) * S. U. Zanne, pen name of August Vandekerkhove (1838–1923), Belgian writer and inventor * Suzanne, pen name of Renée Méndez ...
, president and CEO, Siebert Brandford and Shank


Grio Awards 2012

* C.J. Senter, child fitness instructor * Jon 'Bones' Jones, youngest UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in history * Ibtihaj Muhammad, fencer * Justus Williams, youngest black chess master * Chris Broussard, ESPN sports analyst * Yvette Clarke, Representative for New York * Kevin Clash, puppeteer and voice actor *
Ryan Speedo Green Ryan Speedo Green (born April 1, 1986)
by Daniel Bergner, ''
, opera singer * Angela Benton, founder of Black Web 2.0 * Octavia Spencer, actress * Valerie Montgomery Rice, dean of Morehouse School of Medicine * Melissa Harris-Perry, author and political commentator *
Maya Rudolph Maya Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress, comedian, and singer. In 2000, she became a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL''), and later played supporting roles in the films '' 50 First Dates'' ...
, actress *
Elisabeth Omilami Elisabeth Williams-Omilami (born February 18, 1951) is an American human rights activist and an actress. Life and career Born in Atlanta, Williams-Omilami is the daughter of activist Hosea Williams and Georgia State Representative Juanita T. W ...
, actress and human rights activist * Sonya Arrington, founder of Mothers Against Teen Violence * Marcia Anderson, first black woman to hold major general rank in the U.S. Army * Janet Mock, transgender rights advocate * Frederica Wilson, Representative for Florida * Radcliffe Bailey, artist * Mara Brock Akil, creator of 'Girlfriends' and 'The Game' * Chuck Baker, founder of FileBlaze * Maimah Karmo, breast cancer awareness advocate * George Andrews, founder and CEO of Capitol City Bank & Trust * Alonzo Washington, comic book artist * Andrew 'Bo' Young, III, civil rights leader * Cheryl Mills, counselor and chief of staff, Department of State * Nicole Lyons, car builder and drag racer * Anthony Robles, NCAA wrestling champion *
Nigel Sylvester Nigel Sylvester (born August 23, 1987 in Queens, New York) is an American professional BMX athlete; He is best known for his progressive bicycling skills as well as his digital content featuring his unique BMX stunts and adventures around the glo ...
, professional BMX rider * Deanna Sutton, founder of Clutch magazine * Chandra Gill, motivator and educator * Jason Taylor (American football), NFL player * Cam Newton, NFL player * Bryan 'Birdman' Williams, rapper * LaNiyah Bailey, author * Felecia Hatcher, co-founder of gourmet ice cream truck line * Katori Hall, playwright, journalist, and actress * Kevin Olusola, cellist and beatboxer * Alvin Brown, first black mayor of Jacksonville * Jennifer Carroll, Lieutenant Governor of Florida * Kevin Hart, actor and comedian * Tyrone Curry, school custodian and coach * Traci Lester, literacy advocate * Tarell Alvin McCraney, playwright and actor *
Tiya Miles Tiya Alicia Miles is an American historian. She is a professor of history at Harvard University and Radcliffe Alumnae Professor at the Radcliffe College, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. She is a public historian, academic historian, and c ...
, historian and professor * Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks, founders of Black Girls Run! *
Nitty Scott Nitzia Scott (born October 10, 1990), better known by her stage name Nitty Scott (formerly known as Nitty Scott, MC), is an American emcee from Brooklyn, New York. Her breakthrough came in 2010, when the video for her freestyle over " Monster ...
, MC * Michael Roberts, businessman * Sandra Tucker, nursing school dean *
Tia Norfleet Shauntia Latrice "Tia" Norfleet (born May 1, 1986) is the first and only African American woman to hold a NASCAR driver’s license. The daughter of NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet, she has completed 1 lap in a late model. Personal life Born in Suff ...
, NASCAR driver hopeful *
Bryant Terry Bryant Terry (born 1974) is an African-American vegan chef, food justice activist, and author. He has written four vegan cookbooks and cowrote a book about organic eating. He won a 2015 James Beard Foundation Leadership Award for his food justi ...
, chef *
T. J. Holmes Loutelious "T. J." Holmes, Jr. (born August 19, 1977) is an American journalist and national television personality. Holmes first gained national prominence as an anchor and correspondent for CNN. He spent five years at the network anchoring CN ...
, news anchor * Tracee Ellis Ross, actress * Van Jones, social entrepreneur * Afam Onyema, hospital builder * John Hunter, creator of World Peace Games * Nicholas Cobb, philanthropist * Willow Smith, actress and Musician * Nnamdi Asomugha, NFL player * Torrence Boone, Google managing director *
Aton Edwards Aton Edwards (b. c. 1962) is an American expert in the fields of emergency preparedness, self-reliance and sustainable living. He is also an author, inventor, and environmental/social activist. He founded the International Preparedness Network ...
, environmental and social activist *
Angella Reid Angella Reid was the White House Chief Usher from October 2011, in the Presidency of Barack Obama, Obama Administration, until her dismissal in May 2017 under the Presidency of Donald Trump, Trump Administration. She had been the first woman to ho ...
, former White House Chief Usher * DeVon Franklin, movie executive * Chazz Darby, chef * The Holistic Life Foundation Founders, yoga instructors * Garth Fagan, dance choreographer * Roblé Ali, chef * Yvette Miley, vice president and executive editor of MSNBC * Leanna Archer, hair and body care CEO * Anthony Fraiser, start-up entrepreneur * Kevin Lewis, White House Director of black media * Daniell Washington, marine biologist and activist * Corvida Raven, social media entrepreneur * Chinedu Echeruo, founder of HopStop *
Patrick Gaspard Patrick Hubert Gaspard (born 1967) is an American former diplomat who serves as president of Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank. A noted Democratic Party leader and strategist, Gaspard served as executive director of the D ...
, executive director of the Democratic National Committee * Jeff Henderson, chef * Jonathon Prince, runner and speaker * Jermaine Griggs, music site founder * Frank Ocean, hip hop artist * Korto Momolu, designer * MC Hammer, rapper * Christopher 'Ludacris' Bridges, rapper * Dhani Jones, former NFL player * Jess Moore, fashionista * Alie Kabba, Sierra Leonean immigrant activist * Jana Johnson, tech analyst * LeVar Burton, actor and Presenter * Doyle Beneby, president and CEO of CPS Energy * Andre 'Dr. Dre' Young, hip hop icon * Ayanna Pressley, first black woman elected to Boston City Council * Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, executive at The Nielsen Company * Carol Jenkins, media leader * Brenda Combs, founder of 'Finding My Shoes'


Grio Awards 2011

* Che 'RhymeFest' Smith, hip hop artist * Michael Blake, Obama Black Outreach supporter * Tim Scott, senator from South Carolina * Kasim Reed, Atlanta mayor *
Cedric Richmond Cedric Levan Richmond (born September 13, 1973) is an American attorney, politician, and political advisor who served as a Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, senior advisor to the president and director of the Office of Public ...
, Representative from Louisiana * Donna Edwards, Representative from Maryland * Erica Williams, social impact strategist *
Keith Ellison Keith Maurice Ellison (born August 4, 1963) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Ellison was the U.S. representative for from 2007 to ...
, Minnesota Congressman * Terri Sewell, Alabama Congresswoman * Wyatt Cenac, comedian * Mark Luckie, digital media specialist * Marve Frazier, social media mogul * Gabi Gregg, MTV personality * Tristan Walker, Foursquare's Business Development VP * Bernal Smith, publisher of the Tri-State Defender * Bill Burton, senior political strategist * Hallerin Hilton Hill, American talk radio host * Lolis Eric Elie, writer and documentary filmmaker * Samantha Fennell, managing director of Cesanamedia/Out There * Tamron Hall, national correspondent for NBC News * Christina Oliver, Marine corporal * Decker Ngongang, senior associate at Echoing Green * Dale Long, Big Brothers Big Sisters advocate * Jawanza Colvin, reverend * Joshua Williams, philanthropist * La'Shanda Holmes, Coast Guard helicopter pilot * Larry Camel, pastor * Shaun King, social media entrepreneur * Terrance Roberts, anti-gang activist * Tracie Washington, attorney * Amiya Alexander, entrepreneur * Bernard Beal, Wall Street mogul * Cheryl Dorsey, president of Echoing Green * Don Peebles, real estate king * Jason Few, former president of Reliant Energy * Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam's Club * John Rice, founder of Management Leadership for Tomorrow * Kenneth Frazier, Merck CEO * Lisa Price, founder of Carol's Daughter * Richard Bennett, president of Fidelis Design & Construction * Chanel Iman, Victoria's Secret Angel *
Donald Glover Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (; born September 25, 1983), also known by his stage name Childish Gambino (), is an American entertainer, writer, director, and producer. After working in Derrick Comedy while studying at New York University, Glove ...
, comedian *
Isaiah Mustafa Isaiah Amir Mustafa (born February 11, 1974) is an American actor and former American football wide receiver. Mustafa is widely known as the main character in a series of Old Spice television commercials, "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like". He ...
, Old Spice pitchman *
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985) is an American rapper and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his d ...
, rapper * Janelle Monáe, artist * Jay Pharoah, actor and Comedian * Michael Kenneth Williams, actor * Nicki Minaj, hip hop artist *
Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
, singer * Viola Davis, actress * Aaron Shirley, physician and civil rights activist * Carnell Cooper, doctor * Eugene Sawyer, medical director * Hydeia Broadbent, HIV/AIDS activist * Linda Fondren, mayoral candidate in Vicksburg, Mississippi * Lisa Newman, surgical oncologist *
Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She was the first African-American woman to serve in this position. She is married t ...
, First Lady of the United States * Nia Froome, young entrepreneur * Velma Scantlebury, transplant surgeon * Winston Gandy, doctor and healthcare advocate *
Angela Brown Angela M. Brown (born 1963) is an American dramatic soprano particularly admired for her portrayal of Verdi heroines. Early life and education Angela Brown was born in 1963 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is African-American. Her mother, Freddie M ...
, singer * Edwidge Danticat, novelist * Joshua Bennett, slam poet * Kazen Abdullah, classical music conductor * Kenny Leon, theater director * Monica Haslip, art innovator * Robert Battle, choreographer * Sujari Britt, cellist * Tanya Hamilton, filmmaker * Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, NOLA musician * John Dabiri, biophysicist *
Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins (born 1976) is an American social justice advocate and businesswoman. Ellis-Lamkins is the co-founder and CEO of Promise, a California-based company reworking the bail system. Prior to this, she served as the Head of Care ...
, environmentalist and CEO of Green For All * Adriane Brown, president and COO for Intellectual Ventures *
André Fenton André A. Fenton (born 1967) is a Guyanese-Canadian-American neuroscientist who is a Professor of Neural Science at New York University. He studies how brains store and experience memories. He has been co-host of the television show ''NOVA PBS, N ...
, neuroscientist *
Bernard Harris Bernard Anthony Harris Jr. (born June 26, 1956) is a former NASA astronaut. On February 9, 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform an extra-vehicular activity (spacewalk), during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights. E ...
, astronaut * Cora Marret, acting director of the National Science Foundation * Donya Douglas, NASA engineer and technologist * Faye Alexander Nelson, president and CEO of Detroit RiverFront Conservancy * Monique Harden, environmental human rights advocate * Njema Frazier, physicist * Cullen Jones, Olympic swimmer * DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the National Football League Players Association * Jason Heyward, baseball player * Kevin Durant, NBA player * Kye Allums, NCAA basketball star * Mariah Stackhouse, golfer * Mattie Larson, Team USA gymnast *
Myron Rolle Myron L. Rolle (born October 30, 1986) is a Bahamian-American neurosurgeon and former football safety. He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He attended the ...
, Rhodes Scholar footballer *
Natalie Randolph Natalie Randolph is the Director of Equity, Justice & Community at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC and former high school football coach. She served as the head football coach at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C. from 2010 to ...
, football coach * Terry Kennedy, skateboarder * Derrell Bradford, education reformer * Rehema Ellis, reporter * Courtnay Tyus, director of Admissions and Marketing for Charter High School * Dominique Lee, education reformer * Jill Scott R&B star * John Silvanus Wilson Jr., president of Morehouse College * Kittie Weston-Knauer, BMX racer * Robert Bobb, Detroit Education official * Tamica Stubbs, science teacher * Terry Houston, Roosevelt High School principal


Grio Awards 2010

* Ursula Burns, chief executive officer of Xerox * Tracy Reese, fashion designer *
Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...
, musician, rap mogul *
Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954), or simply Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', br ...
, media mogul *
Clarence Otis Jr. Clarence Otis Jr. (born April 11, 1956, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States) is an American businessman and former CEO and Chairman of Darden Restaurants. Otis was named the 11th most powerful person in Central Florida by the Orlando Senti ...
, chief executive officer of Darden Restaurants * Ephren W. Taylor, chief executive officer of City Capital Corporations * Janice Bryant Howroyd, entrepreneur * Ralph Gilles, president and CEO Dodge Brand * Jamail Larkins, chief executive officer of Ascension Aircraft * Carla Harris, managing director in Global Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley * Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General * Will Allen, chief executive officer of Growing Power * Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of American Cancer Society * Kathie-Ann Joseph, surgeon and breast cancer researcher/activist *
Lisa Cooper Lisa A. Cooper (born 1963) is an American internal medicine and public health physician who is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Equity in Health and Healthcare at Johns Hopkins University, jointly appointed in the Johns Hopkins School of ...
, professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health *
Helene Gayle Helene D. Gayle (born August 16, 1955) is an American Physician who is the president of Spelman College. She formerly served as CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation's leading community foundations. Biography Helene Gayle was b ...
, president and CEO of CARE USA * Seun Adebiyi, Olympic hopeful * Satira Streeter, clinical psychologist *
Treena Livingston Arinzeh Treena Livingston Arinzeh is professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University in New York, New York, joining in 2022. She was formerly a Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newa ...
, biomedical engineer * Risa Lavisso-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation *
Bakari Sellers Bakari T. Sellers (born September 18, 1984) is an American attorney, political commentator, and politician. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for the 90th District from 2006-2014. Sellers represented South Carolina's 90t ...
, Democratic member of South Carolina House of Representatives *
Anthony Woods Anthony Christopher Woods (born July 20, 1980) is an American politician serving as the secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs since January 2023. He was a U.S. Army officer deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Woods was disc ...
, former Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in California * Artur Davis, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives *
Melody Barnes Melody C. Barnes (born April 29, 1964) is an American lawyer and political advisor. Formerly an aide and chief counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barnes later worked at the Center for American Progress, a thi ...
, White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council *
Deval Patrick Deval Laurdine Patrick (born July 31, 1956) is an American politician, civil rights lawyer, author, and businessman who served as the 71st governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. He was first elected in 2006, succeeding Mitt Romney, who ...
, Democratic Governor of Massachusetts * Kamala Harris, District Attorney of San Francisco * Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General * Vernon Parker, Republican mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona * Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, mayor of Baltimore, Maryland *
Kevin Johnson Kevin Johnson may refer to: Entertainment *Kevin Johnson (singer) (born 1942), Australian singer * Kevin Johnson (ventriloquist) (born 1970), ventriloquist on ''America's Got Talent'' * Kevin Royal Johnson (born 1961), American singer-songwriter a ...
, mayor of Sacramento * Beyoncé Knowles, singer * Shona Rimes, executive producer of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” * Will.i.am, co-founder of Black Eyed Peas, musician and producer * Drake, rapper * Chiwetel Ejiofor, actor * Gina Prince-Bythewood, film director * Charles King, Hollywood agent * Darius Rucker, musician and country singer; formerly of Hootie & the Blowfish * Mary J. Blige, singer; anti-domestic violence activist * Mo'Nique, actress and comedian * Jason Moran, jazz musician and music historian * Kara Walker, artist * Malcolm Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point” *
Bill T. Jones William Tass Jones, known as Bill T. Jones, (born February 15, 1952) is an American choreographer, director, author and dancer. He is the co-founder of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Jones is Artistic Director of New York Live Ar ...
, dancer and director of Broadway’s “FELA!” * Wynton Marsalis, jazz musician *
Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage (born November 2, 1964) is an American playwright whose work often focuses on the experience of working-class people, particularly working-class people who are Black. She has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for he ...
, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright * Kadir Nelson, children’s book illustrator *
Kehinde Wiley Kehinde Wiley (born February 28, 1977)"Kehinde Wiley"
''Artnet''. Retrieved October 13, 2010. i ...
, painter * Darin Atwater, composer/conductor * Jessica Care Moore, poet, actor, publisher * Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator; former space shuttle commander * Tony Hansberry, The Next Doogie Howser, created a breakthrough surgical stitch *
Derrick Pitts Derrick Pitts (born January 22, 1955) is an American astronomer and science communicator. Pitts studied at St. Lawrence University and has been employed at the Franklin Institute since 1978 where he is chief astronomer and director of the instit ...
, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute *
Lisa P. Jackson Lisa Perez Jackson (born February 8, 1962) is an American chemical engineer who served as the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2009 to 2013. She was the first African American to hold that position. B ...
, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency * James McLurkin, electrical engineer and robot specialist *
Jerome Ringo Jerome C. Ringo (born March 2, 1955) is an environmental justice, clean energy, and quality jobs advocate who founded and chairs renewable energy developer Zoetic Global. Ringo previously chaired the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), becoming ...
, president of the Apollo Alliance * Beverly Wright, head of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice *
Robert Bullard Robert Doyle Bullard (born December 21, 1946) is an American academic who is the former Dean of the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School Of Public Affairs (October 2011 – August 2016) and currently Distinguished Professor at Texas Southern ...
, author and environmentalist *
Shelton Johnson Shelton Johnson (born 1958 in Detroit, Michigan) is a park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service, and works in Yosemite National Park. As of 2021 he had worked in Yosemite for 28 years of his 35-year career. Johnson began his career in ...
, park ranger at Yosemite National Park * Agnes A. Day, associate professor of microbiology at Howard University * Shani Davis, Olympic speed skater * Michael Hill, general manager of the Florida Marlins baseball team *
James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr. (born December 21, 1985), also known as Bubba Stewart, is an American former professional motocross racer who competed in the AMA Motocross and the AMA Supercross Championships. Through his years of racing, he earned the nic ...
, champion motocross driver * Evander Kane, member of the Atlanta Thrashers NHL team * LeBron James, member of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team * Adrian Peterson, member of the Minnesota Vikings NFL team *
Allyson Felix Allyson Michelle Felix (born November 18, 1985) is a retired American track and field athlete who competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. She specialized in the 200 meters from 2003 to 2013, then gradually shifted to the 400 me ...
, Olympic track and field athlete * Candace Parker, member of the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA basketball team * Serena Williams, professional tennis player *
Cheyenne Woods Cheyenne Nicole Woods (born July 25, 1990) is an American professional golfer. Early life Woods was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a daughter of Susan Woods and Earl Dennison Woods Jr., who is golfer Tiger Woods' half-brother, making Cheyenne ...
, golfer * Wyclef Jean, musician and philanthropist * Craig Watkins, Dallas District Attorney * Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, New Jersey * Richard Buery Jr., president and chief executive officer of Children’s Aid Society in New York *
Alysa Stanton Alysa Stanton (born August 2, 1963) is an American Reform rabbi, and the first African American female rabbi. Ordained on June 6, 2009, in August 2009 she began work as a rabbi at Congregation Bayt Shalom, a small majority-white synagogue in Gre ...
, first female African-American rabbi * Majora Carter, environmental justice advocate * Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, first African-American female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force * Kari Fulton, national campus campaign coordinator for the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative * Yolanda Wimberly, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia * Joshua DuBois, minister and head of the White House Office for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships * Tyra Banks, model and media entrepreneur * Tyler Perry, producer/director * Christina Norman, chief executive officer of OprahWomensNetwork (OWN) * Fred Mwangaguhunga, founder of Meditakeout.com * Byron Pitts, correspondent for CBS News’ “60 Minutes” * Roland Martin, journalist * Steve Harvey Radio host, author * David Drummond, SVP of corporate development and chief legal officer of Google *
Mary Spio Mary Spio is a deep space engineer, tech innovator and entrepreneur. She is the CEO and founder of CEEK Virtual Reality. Early life and education Spio was raised in Ghana. She had her secondary school education at Holy Child High School in Ca ...
, co-founder of Gen2MEDIA and digital media expert * Mara Schiavocampo, ''NBC Nightly News'' digital correspondent *
Teresa King Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or re ...
, first female commander at U.S. Army’s Drill Sgt. School *
Freeman A. Hrabowski III Freeman Alphonso Hrabowski III (born August 13, 1950) is an American educator, advocate, and mathematician. In May 1992, he began his term as president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), one of the twelve public universities ...
, president of University of Maryland; education expert * Spirit Trickey, daughter of one of Little Rock 9, park ranger at Central High School Visitor’s Center *
Barrington Irving Captain Barrington Irving Jr. (born November 11, 1983) is a Jamaican-born American pilot who previously held the record for the youngest person to pilot a plane around the world solo, a feat he accomplished in 2007. He is also the first black pers ...
, pilot; founder of Experience Aviation *
Roland Fryer Roland Gerhard Fryer Jr. (born June 4, 1977) is an American economist and professor at Harvard University. Following a difficult childhood, Fryer earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas at Arlington, but once there chose to conc ...
, professor of economics at Harvard University * Omo Moses, founder and executive director of Young Peoples Project * Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute * Tim King, founder of Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago * Ashanti Johnson, assistant professor of Chemical Oceanography at College of Marine Science in St. Petersburg, FL * John Jackson, president and CEO of The Schott Foundation for Public Education


References

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External links

* “Introducing theGrio’s 100 class of 2012: America's best” http://thegrio.com/2012/01/31/introducing-thegrios-100-class-of-2012/ * "TheGrio's 100" http://thegrio.com/category/thegrios-100/ Awards established in 2010