Kayla Grant, Author at Rolling Out

Since the creation of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” in 1954 at the New York City Ballet, there has never been a Black ballerina in the principal role of Marie — that is until 11-year-old Charlotte Nebres. “To me, it just feels like when I dance I feel free, and I feel empowered. I feel like…

Larry Scott-Walker is the executive director and co-founder of Transforming HIV Resentments into Victories Everlasting Support Services Inc. Shortly after coming to grips with his sexual orientation, the Baltimore native was introduced to the works of novelist James Baldwin, filmmaker Marlon Riggs and poet Essex Hemphill. Falling in love with their passion, persistence and use of…

On Dec. 1, 2019, Chief Deputy Melody Maddox will make history as the first female to assume the position of sheriff in DeKalb County, Georgia. She will replace Sheriff Jeff Mann, who retires Nov. 30. The Morris Brown College graduate began her career in law enforcement in 1988 with the Atlanta Police Department. She worked…

Hakika Wise is an entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Kika Stretch Studios, a business she started with her last $500 and a desire to help people improve their physical health and well-being. Wise, who has a bachelor’s degree in dance from Montclair State University, worked professionally as an actor, a trainer and a…

In her 20 year career as a photographic artist, Asia Hamilton cultivated a talent for capturing raw composition as a reflection of her authenticity. The Detroit, Michigan, native specializes in portraits, landscapes and texture photography and curates spaces that allow herself and other Black artists to professionally exhibit their work. She is the founder, director…

Dorothy Butler Gilliam was the first Black female reporter at The Washington Post. The Memphis, Tennessee, native arrived at The Post in 1961 after graduating with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and worked as a reporter, an editor and a columnist there until she retired in 2003. During her illustrious career, Gilliam…

In celebration of the third year of the AT&T Filmmaker Mentorship Program, the black carpet was rolled out on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The event premiered five short films written and directed by 10 of the program’s mentees at Hollywood’s NeueHouse. Notable attendees included screenwriter, producer and actress Lena Waithe, who served as this year’s…

With homecoming festivities, sports events, house parties and other social activities happening on campuses at historically Black colleges and universities, personal safety is a concern among some female undergraduates. Rolling out asked female students at HBCUs in Atlanta if they are worried about the possibility of sexual assault on campus. “Unfortunately, … sexual assault happens…

Safety is a concern for many young women. Elle Clarke knows that only too well. In her 20s, she worked for five years as a detective in Nassau, Bahamas, putting accused killers and rapists behind bars. Then in 2005, one of several men who broke into her home late raped her. “I had already made…

After taking a six-year break from the music industry, Isaac Carree released a new single in August titled “HER,” which will be featured on his forthcoming album, No Risk…No Reward. The gospel recording artist will appear at the inaugural Imaginarium Film and Music Festival Oct. 18-19, 2019. The festival will be hosted by Pastor Jamal…

The “Hotties” came out in droves and ready to twerk. Hotties — the name Megan Thee Stallion calls her fanbase — is a term for the “hot boys” and “hot girls” all over the country who love and support Thee Stallion. More than 1,000 hotties turned out for the sold-out All Women Hip-Hop concert on…

ConocoPhillips has elevated its focus on diversity and inclusion by recruiting students at one of the nation’s public historically Black universities for the company’s information technology, supply chain and finance functions. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips is the world’s largest independent exploration and production company based on proved reserves, production of liquids and natural gas.…

Actress Raven-Symoné will guest star on the Disney special “Just Roll With It: You Decide LIVE!” on Friday, Oct 4, 2019. During the special, TV viewers watching across the country will be able to vote at certain times on what the actors will do in the next scene using the DisneyNOW app or by going to…

JetBlue Airways provided free flights to Virginia for 46 students from the University of the Bahamas-North campus who were affected by Hurricane Dorian so they can attend Hampton University this fall. All 46 arrived on campus Sept. 24. Icema Gibbs, JetBlue’s director of corporate social responsibility, discussed how the airline got involved with the initiative…

Actor Tobie Windham is one of the stars of Disney’s comedy series “Just Roll With It.” The Birmingham, Alabama, native fell in love with acting at 12 years old after seeing the musical Thunder Knocking on the Door by African American playwright Keith Glover. It inspired him to pursue acting and spread the joy he…

Hampton University announced that it will provide free admission, tuition, and room and board during its fall semester to 46 students from the University of the Bahamas-North campus who were displaced by Hurricane Dorian. Calvin L. Butts Jr., a 2002 graduate of Hampton University who sits on its board of trustees, helped to connect Pastor…

Leaders at two of the country’s top companies urged participants at rolling out’s 2019 RIDE Conference to explore and embrace the latest technological advances. In its third year, the RIDE Conference is a skills-building event that brings together innovators and influencers in media, business and tech to share their knowledge and expertise to empower the…