Brian Ellison sees the march of the United States Colored Troops not just as military discipline, but as a form of resistance rooted in African diasporic traditions. The Houston-based conceptual and performance artist brings this vision to life in the
Ann “Sole Sister” Johnson transforms everyday materials into powerful historical testimony. The experimental printmaker and Prairie View A&M professor brings her signature approach to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum’s “Terms & Conditions: The Promise vs. Reality,” using cotton, brick, and
After 21 years of military service and a middle-class engineering career, Tay Butler found his true mission in the Black archive. The Houston-based artist’s latest work for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum’s “Terms & Conditions: The Promise vs. Reality” transforms
When Phillip Pyle II reimagines an 1863 regimental flag painted by David Bustill Bowser, he’s not just updating history. He’s interrogating the conditional nature of Black freedom in America. The Houston-based visual artist’s Sic Semper Tyrannis, featured in the Buffalo
With his unmistakable warm baritone and signature newsboy cap, Gregory Porter has become one of jazz’s most compelling ambassadors. The Bakersfield-born artist, who began his journey singing in small San Diego jazz clubs while on a football scholarship, has evolved
Sixx King speaks with the composed assurance of someone who has weathered storms to reach clear skies. The independent filmmaker’s journey to bring “Jonesing: When Love Is a Habit” to AMC theaters nationwide represents a masterclass in creative determination. As
The Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, the dynamic pastor of metro Atlanta’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has built a reputation for delivering powerful messages that resonate far beyond the pulpit. He brings the same passionate energy to his role as
On a bright spring morning in Merrillville, Ind., nearly 400 women and their families form a line outside the Dean and Barbara White Center, waiting for the doors to open. They’ve come for what was advertised as a health fair,
Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant stands at the intersection of spiritual leadership and social activism, carrying forward a legacy that spans generations. As a third-generation pastor leading New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Ga., just east of Atlanta, Bryant has
In the early 2000s, when hip-hop was undergoing a seismic shift from its New York origins to the emerging sounds of the South, DJ Sense was quietly orchestrating one of the culture’s most significant transformations. The Philadelphia native, who had
For Terrance Pratt, scent isn’t just about smelling good — it’s about memory, legacy, and the deep emotional bonds we carry with us. The founder of Memoir Fragrances, a Chicago-born brand with national and global appeal, has turned his childhood
Caleb McLaughlin, one of Hollywood’s most exciting young stars, is expanding his artistic horizons into the world of audio storytelling. Best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Lucas Sinclair in Netflix’s global phenomenon “Stranger Things,” which concludes with its
Silicon Valley technology veteran Hilmon Sorey has witnessed firsthand the evolution of barriers that once seemed insurmountable for aspiring entrepreneurs. With three successful exits as an executive, investments in over 117 startups, and partnerships in 2.12 Angels venture capital firm,
Jazz pianist Eric Scott Reed has spent over three decades crafting his musical voice, from his early days as a child prodigy in Philadelphia to his years touring with Wynton Marsalis and leading his own ensemble. Now, at 54, Reed
Tony Jolly transformed his passion for coffee into a thriving community space in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park neighborhood with crucial support from U.S. Bank. Starting his career at Starbucks at age 19, Jolly gained expertise working with coffee in Ethiopia
Sarah R. Harris brings more than 25 years of experience as both a Black Business Association member and business owner to her groundbreaking role as the first female president and CEO of the Black Business Association. Her expertise in strengthening
With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, Delphine Pruitt has become a formidable force in banking. As a Business Access Advisor at U.S. Bank, she empowers businesses in communities with financial tools and resources essential for sustainable
Broadway veteran and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” star Taye Diggs has built a career spanning theater, film and television over more than two decades. From his breakout role in the original Broadway production of “Rent” to starring in
In an era when big-budget studio productions dominate theater screens across America, Sixx King has accomplished something increasingly rare: creating, self-financing, and securing national theatrical distribution for an independent film that centers Black love. The visionary director’s “JONESING: When Love
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, having the right financial foundation is crucial for success. Stephen Keys, a highly sought-after tax professional from Chicago with more than 10 years of experience, runs Expedient Tax, alongside his wife Essence Keys. This
