Kehinde Wiley, an American artist best known for portraits that feature African Americans in the traditional settings of Old Master paintings. Wiley’s childhood experiences in the South Central neighbourhood of Los Angeles were enriched by his mother’s passion for education. At the age of 11, he took art classes at a conservatory at California State …
Michael Bakari Jordan born February 9, 1987, is an American actor and producer. He is known for his film roles as shooting victim Oscar Grant in the drama Fruitvale Station (2013), boxer Donnie Creed in Creed (2015), and Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018), all three of which were directed by Ryan Coogler. Jordan reprised …
Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates is an American author and journalist. Coates gained a wide readership during his time as a national correspondent at The Atlantic, where he wrote about cultural, social, and political issues, particularly regarding African Americans and White Supremacy. Coates has worked for The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, and TIME. He has contributed …
Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian film director, producer and actor. In 2006, he directed the first Nigerian film ever to be screened at the 2007 Pan African Film Festival, IRAPADA (REDEMPTION). Afolayan’s films have been screened at FESPACO, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the London Film Festival BFI, New York Africa Film Festival, amongst others.2010; …
Dakore Egbuson-Akande is an award winning Nollywood Actress. She is known for Fifty (2015), Isoken (2017) and One Too Many. She is an ambassador for Amnesty International, Amstel Malta and Oxfam of America. She was born in Bayelsa State,Nigeria as the first child of her parents. She attended Corona Primary School and Federal Government Girls’ …
Oyinade Adegite (Ogunade) is the Curator & Head, Marketing Guaranty Trust Bank Fashion Weekend & Food and Drink Festival. Under her leadership, GT Bank has been able to set a standard for brand storytelling and content marketing in Nigeria. Congratulations!!
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig is a Nigerian entrepreneur Founder & CEO of ART X. She is dedicated to defining a new narrative about Africa through culture. Tokini obtained a law degree with first class honours from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) and an MBA from INSEAD. After working in luxury brand management …
Jonelle Procope is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Apollo Theater. A position she has held since 2003. She became a member of the Apollo Board of Trustees in 1999. She leads a staff of sixty union and non-union employees and an executive team responsible for all financial, production and strategic functions of the legendary …
Caroline A. Wanga is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESSENCE, the No. 1 media, technology, and commerce company dedicated to Black women and communities. She also serves as Chief Growth Officer for ESSENCE Ventures, parent company of ESSENCE. Wanga joined Essence Ventures, parent company of ESSENCE, as Chief Growth Officer in 2020 from Target Corporation, where …
Ahmir Khalib Thompson, known professionally as Questlove, is an American musician, record producer, disc jockey, filmmaker, music journalist, and actor. He is the drummer and joint front-man for the hip hop band the Roots. Questlove was born on January 20, 1971, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Lee Andrews, had enjoyed commercial success in the late …