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
Micae Brown works to support entrepreneurs and small business owners as a Business Access Advisor for U.S. Bank in Chicago and Milwaukee. With a career that spans marketing, small business lending, and media, she’s a force of nature who’s all
In the heart of Detroit’s North End, something special is percolating—Sepia Coffee Project, a minority-owned, Black-led coffee roastery redefining how communities experience coffee. Led by Martell Mason, CEO, and head roaster, Sepia Coffee is more than just a café. It’s
Trademark attorney Rosezena Pierce draws from her dual career background to protect entrepreneurs from costly intellectual property mistakes while advocating for community empowerment. Attorney Rosezena Pierce speaks with conviction as she delivers a metaphor that crystallizes her entire legal philosophy:
From the classrooms of New Orleans to the high-octane world of billion-dollar action franchises, Greg Tarzan Davis has carved an extraordinary path in Hollywood. The Louisiana native, who once taught first grade while nurturing dreams of acting, now finds himself
Rob Lockett isn’t just leading LISC Detroit—he’s reshaping how community development works in a city poised for transformation. Since stepping into the Executive Director role in late 2024, Lockett has brought a bold, service-centered vision to an organization with a
In a world where leadership is too often defined by position and power, Dafina Ward stands as a shining example of grace, grit, and radical empathy. As the Executive Director of the Southern AIDS Coalition, she leads not just with
Sixx King, the visionary director behind “JONESING: When Love Is a Habit,” brings a refreshing perspective to Black love narratives in film with this spiritual sequel to Love Jones, same soul, new story. As founder of Sixx Degrees Media with
Warren Thompson is the President and Chairman of Thompson Hospitality Corporation, the largest minority-owned food service and facilities management company in the U.S. Under his leadership, Thompson Restaurants operates 18 brands across 70-plus locations, with 6,000 associates and nearly $1
In the hazy midday light of a neighborhood pitch in Atlanta, Sekou Thornell watches as a gathering of young players move fluidly across the field, their interactions transcending mere sport. For Thornell, creative director and founder of Kitboys Club and
Greg Tarzan Davis has quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s rising stars, appearing in billion-dollar franchises alongside industry titans. The New Orleans native, who made his film debut in 2019’s The Call of the Wild, starring Harrison Ford, has
Denise Forte doesn’t just talk about educational equity – she engineers it. As President and CEO of EdTrust, Forte has become a pivotal force in reforming America’s educational landscape by leveraging a surprisingly straightforward superpower: relationship building. Named one of
In an age when attention spans shrink and digital experiences dominate, creating meaningful encounters with history presents unique challenges for cultural institutions. Robert Parker, curator at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, has met
For Dr. Shantesica Gilliam, the disturbing statistics on Black maternal mortality aren’t just numbers, they represent lives disrupted and families forever changed. As an assistant professor in Spelman College’s Environmental Health Science Department, Gilliam has pioneered a revolutionary approach to
In the heart of Kansas City stands a monument to triumph, resilience, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Black America. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum preserves not just baseball history, but a seminal chapter in American civil rights. Leading this vital
