The interdisciplinary field of Blacks Studies—alternatively called African American Studies, Afro-American Studies, Africana Studies, Pan African Studies, or Afro-Ethnic Studies, depending on the school where it is offered– is a relative newcomer on the academic scene and its proponents have had to defend its theoretical underpinnings and practicality, something which the traditional liberal arts fields are also challenged to do but not to the same extent. Since the establishment of the nation’s first Black Studies department in 1968 at San Francisco State University, and despite the wide acceptance and institutionalization of Black Studies in academia, there still remains the nagging question about its ability to produce outstanding citizens equal in quality to individuals who as undergraduates majored in, say, history or English or art. Black Studies has now been around long enough to notice its handiwork: men and women constructively contributing to society, employed in a wide spectrum of professions.
It is a difficult task to compile a list of noteworthy people who majored in Black Studies because there are so many who could easily qualify. This list merely scratches the surface. Black Studies attracts a broad span of interested scholars. Not only persons of African descent, but also persons of European, Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern, and Native American descent are represented in the list. Some of those mentioned are virtually household names or have received considerable local or regional attention. Their professions range from A (Astronaut) to Z (Zoo administrator). In short, the answer to those asking what can a person do with a Black Studies major is simple: . . . . Anything!
Most of the entries contain a brief sketch of the person’s career, the type of degree obtained in Black Studies, and additional (usually graduate) degrees in other disciplines which the person was granted.
Teaching Careers
Many students with degrees in African American Studies pursue teaching careers. There are several links on the left side of the page that describe programs that prepare individuals to teach in public schools and in colleges and universities.
The Teach for America Program is an excellent one that allows college graduates to teach in urban and rural schools for two years. It also provides assistance with the repayment of student loans.
The City Year Program allows students to tutor at-risk school children for one year. Each participant assists students with their school work both before and after school. They also interact with their parents and participate in community activities.
The mission of the Men Teach organization is to recruit male teachers (especially men of color) in public schools. The link on the left side includes a listing of funding opportunities for male (and female) teachers including a loan forgiveness program for students who teach in underserved communities.
The Breakthrough Internship Program trains teachers to work in 25 cities nationwide. These teachers tutor middle school students and prepare them for college.
These are just a few of the programs and organizations students can participate if they want to become educators.
Medicine & Health
Johnnie Allen…….President of the Board of Directors of Health Promotion and
Education (DHPE).
B.A., B.S., The College of Wooster. MPH, Tulane University.
Megan L. Comfort…….Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Center for AIDS
Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco.
B.A., Wellesley College. Ph.D., London School of Economics and Political Science.
Richard Lyn-Cook…….Physician. Co-authored article in the Journal of Neuroscience. Co-president of his medical school class and active in social and professional groups.B.A., Yale University, 1992. M.D., Yale Medical School.
William E. Dingus…….Dentist. Board certified specialist in orthodontics in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio.
B.A., University of Washington, 1979. D.M.D., University of Pennsylvania.
Nonkulie Dladla…….Doctor of Internal Medicine. Concord Medical Group.
B.A., Oberlin College. M.D. Cornell University.
Michael V. Drake…….Doctor of Ophthalmology. Chancellor of the University of
California at Irvine.
A.B., Stanford University. M.D., University of California at San Francisco.
Billy Ray Flowers…….Chiropractor. First black chiropractor in the state of Oregon. B.A., Western Washington State University. D.C., Western States Chiropractic College.
Brian L. Harper…….Physician-Administrator. Medical Director and CEO of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.
B.A., Brown University. M.D., SUNY-Health Science Center.
Rushelle Jones…….Physician. Works in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at Saint Louis University.
BA., Duke University. M.D., University of Tennessee.
Gbolahan O. Okubadejo…….Orthopedic Surgeon.
B.A., Brown University. M.D., Johns Hopkins University.
Ranna I. Parekh…….Psychiatrist. Practices child and adult psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Also clinical instructor at the Harvard Medical School.
B.S., M.D., Wayne State University.
Tyreese Gains- Reid…….Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Also medical journalist.
B.S., Northwestern University. D.O., Nova Southeastern University.
Anastasia Rowland-Seymore…….Physician. Currently completing a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona.
B.A., Amherst College. M.D., Columbia University Medical School.
Neo Tapela…….Doctor of Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
B.A., Wellesley College. M.D., Harvard University.
Claudia Thomas…….Physician. The first black female orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. B.A., Vassar College. M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical School.
Anastasia Thomas-Lewis…….Podiatrist. Practice in Athens, Georgia.
B.A., Cornell University. DPM. New York College of Podiatric Medicine.
Anita M. Wells…….Clinical Psychologist.
B.A., Yale University. Ph.D., Northwestern University
Keith A. Williams…….Physician. Fellow of the American Academy of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, Basic Cardiac Life Support. Practices in Port Charlotte, FL.
B.A., Brooklyn College. M.D., University of Pittsburgh.
Science & Technology
Mae Jemison…….Astronaut. Rocketed into space aboard the shuttle Endeavor in 1992 as a mission specialist. Received her M.D. from Cornell University School of Medicine.
B.A., Stanford University. M.D., Cornell University.
David P. Johnson…….Teaches computer applications at the University of Maryland and owns of a desktop publishing business.
B.A., University of Maryland. Ph.D. in Occupational Studies, University of Georgia
James Steven Hoffmaster…….Professor of Physics at Gonzaga University. B.A., Edinboro State U. Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, Stevens Institute of Technology. Edward E. Tarver…….Chemist-Inventor. Founder and CEO of Etaran Instruments Inc.
B.A., University of California-Berkeley. Ph.D., Washington State University.
Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.…….Electrical Engineer and a Gates Millennium fellow whose special interest is photonics (Quantum Optics). He has published technical papers.
B.A., University of Pennsylvania. Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Boston University.
Law
Abimbola S. Bamgboye…….Attorney. Associate in the Park Avenue firm of
WilmeHale, representing clients in hedge funds and institutional investors.
B.A., SUNY-Binghamton. J.D., American University.
Felicia A. Bowen…….Associate in the law firm of Donoghue, Thomas, Auslander & Drohan. Recipient, West Publishing Award for Clinical Achievement in Consumer Law.
B.A., Wesleyan University. J.D., George Washington University
Erin Dozier…….Associate General Counsel at the National Association of Broadcasters.
B.A., Hampshire College. J.D., George Washington University
Karen Freeman-Wilson…….President and CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). A former drug court judge in Gary, Indiana and former Attorney General for the state of Indiana.
B.A., Harvard University. J.D., Harvard University.
Wesley Fields…….General Counsel for the Kansas City Tax Increment Finance
Commission. Partner in the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP
B.A., Yale University. J.D., University of Virginia.
Sarah Goldfrank…….Attorney with the firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLC in
Washington, D.C. Focuses on consumer litigation.
B.A., Smith College (Phi Beta Kappa). J.D., Georgetown University.
Tanya Greene…….An attorney in the Capital Defender Office in New York City
representing people charged with capital crimes. Received the 1999 Reebok International Human Rights Award for her work against the death penalty.
B.A., Wesleyan University. J.D., Harvard University.
Leslie Harris…….Judge. Suffolk (Massachusetts) Juvenile Court judge.
M.A., Boston University, 1994. J.D., Boston College.
Latonia Early-Hubelbank…….Attorney. Specializes in matrimonial, family, and
adoption law in the firm of Cohn, Steinberg, Goldstein & Early-Hubelbank in New York.
B.A., Princeton University. J.D., Hofstra University.
Monica Little…….Assistant Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. B.A., University of Washington. J.D., Northwest Law School.
Jennifer Madden…….Deputy District Attorney for Alameda County, California.
B.A., University of California-Berkeley. J.D., University of California-Berkeley.
Peter Paris…….Assistant Chief Investigator in the Office of Police Complaints in Washington, D.C. Former Boston police officer and varsity lacrosse player at Harvard University.
B.A., Wesleyan University. J.D., Stanford University.
Richard W. Roberts…….Judge. Appointed In 1998 appointed By President Clinton to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He had previously worked in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
B.A., cum laude, Vassar College. J.D., Columbia University.
Loriani Santos…….Attorney specializing in commercial litigation in the firm of DLA Piper (San Francisco office). Former Treasurer of La Raza Law Student Association.
B.A., Wellesley College. University of California at Berkeley.
Peggie Smith…….Professor of Law at the University of Iowa. Was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Women’s Law Journal. Teaches contracts, employment relationships, and gender work.
B.A., Yale University. M.A., J.D., Yale University.
Tanisha M. Sullivan…….Attorney. Associate in the Boston law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery, specializing in corporate law.
B.A., University of Virginia. J.D. and MBA, Boston College.
Roger S. Wareham…….Attorney. Partner in the firm of Thomas, Wareham, and Richards in Brooklyn, New York. He is also General Secretary of The International Association Against Torture.
B.S., Harvard University. J.D., Columbia University.
Yael Zakai…….Attorney for the Children’s Law Center in Washington, D.C.
B.A., University of Maryland. J.D., Stanford.
Politics & Government
S. Kathryn Allen…….Commissioner of the District of Columbia Office of Banking and Financial Institutions.
A.B., Smith College. J.D., Boston College.
Carl Andrews…….Former New York State Senator and Majority Whip (Democrat). Elected in 2002 representing the 20th State Senatorial District.
M.A., State University of New York at Albany.
Ahndrea L. Blue…….Attorney. Former executive policy advisor and Legal Counsel to the Governor of the State of Washington and former CEO of the Seattle Urban League.
B.A., J.D., University of Washington.
William Boone III…….Delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention
representing New York. He works as a Brooklyn Democratic Party campaign consultant.
M.A., State University of New York-Albany. J.D., CUNY-Queens College.
Lynn Gilmore Canton…….Former Executive Director of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), appointed by President Bill Clinton. Also former Assistant Deputy Comptroller for management Audit for the state of New York.
B.A., M.S., SUNY-Albany.
J.R. Clairbourne…….City Councilman. 2nd Ward Alderman with a seat on the City of Ithaca (NY) Common Council. Former reporter at the Ithaca Journal.
B.A., University of Kansas.
Willard Cooper…….Police Officer. Founder of the Wilson School (PA) Police Athletic League.
B.A., Temple University.
George Cushingberry Jr…….Michigan State Representative. First elected in 1975 at age 21. Was on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners for 16 years.
B.A., Wayne State University. J.D., University of Detroit.
Tom Davidson…….Maine State Representative (Democrat) in his fifth term. Also a highly successful businessman as Vice President of Tyson Corners, an investment firm.
B.A., Bowdoin College.
Jendayi Frazer…….Distinguished professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Former Senior Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council, appointed by Condoleezza Rice. Taught at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
B.A., Stanford University. Ph.D. in Political Science, Stanford University.
Carl Kemp…….Lobbyist. Head of a political lobbying firm, the Kemp Group. Former two-term student body president at California State University at Long Beach.
B.A., MPA, California State University at Long Beach.
Do Kim…….Attorney. Founder of the Korean American Youth Leadership Program and President of the Korean Democratic Committee.
B.A., Harvard University. J.D., University of California-Los Angeles
Alyce Lee…….Former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s Chief of Staff . Board member of the Boston Museum.
B.A., Wesleyan University.
Marc H. Morial…….Former Mayor of New Orleans and former Louisiana State
Senator. In 2003 he became President of the National Urban League.
B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1980. J.D., Georgetown University.
Peter Shapiro…….Chairman of the Prince Georges (Virginia) County Council.
A Truman Scholar, he was elected to the Council in 1998 to represent to 2nd District.
B.A., University of Maryland.
Jabari Simama…….Benedict College administrator. Former Executive Director,
Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Community Technology. Media consultant and writer. Former Atlanta city councilman and professor.
M.A., Atlanta University. Ph.D. in American Studies, Emory University.
Kelvin Simmons……. Head of the Office of Administration for the state of Kansas. Former 2-term Kansas City Councilman. Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission.
B.A., University of Missouri-Columbia.
Adewale Troutman…….Director of the Louisiana Metro Health Department. Formerly director of the Fulton County (Atlanta) Department of Health and Wellness.
M.A., State University of New York-Albany. M.D., New Jersey Medical School.
Sharon W. West…….Currently, she is Executive Director of the Buffalo Housing
Authority.
B.A., University of Buffalo.
Business & Industry
Adewunmi W. Alugbin…….Economic Development Consultant. Employed by
Price waterhouse Cooper (PwC) as a consultant to the World Bank/British Council on development policies in Nigeria.
B.A., SUNY-Binghamton. M.A. SUNY-Albany.
Peter C.B. Bynoe…….Pro Basketball Franchise Owner. First African American to own a NBA franchise when he purchased the Denver Nuggets in 1989. Other business ventures followed.
B.A., MBA, J.D., Harvard University.
James Brantley…….Director of Community Relations for Zoo New England-Franklin Park Zoo.
B.S., B.A., majored in Zoology and African American Studies, University of Tennessee.
Mishka Brown…….CEO of Aerolith Incorporated, a media consulting and technology development company in New York City.
B.A., Yale University.
Rochelle Brown…….Television producer-author. Producer of the top-rated show “Emeril Live” on the Food Network.
B.A., Rutgers University.
Paul E. Butler……. Director of Program Enterprises for VH1 Music First and Country Music Television (CMT).
B.A., University of Rochester. J.D., Harvard University.
Nicole Childers…….Executive Producer, National Public Radio (NPR).
B.A., University of Pennsylvania.
Brad Davidson…….Vice President, Top 40 Promotion, Columbia Records.
B.A., University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Jinida Doba…….Advertising Account Executive, Highland PR in Akron Ohio.
B.A., Kent State University.
Jessica Ingram-Bellamy…….Advertising Director. Better World Advertising, a social marketing agency.
B.A., Cornell University. M.A., Columbia University.
Karume James…….Union Organizer. Employed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Former chairman of UCLA’s Afrikan Student Union.
B.A., UCLA
Julia Baker Jones…….Business consultant. Graduated in the top 10 percent of her business school class at Stanford.
B.A., Carlton College. MBA, Stanford University.
Laurie M. Jonsson…….Founding director of Expedia and former co-owner of a cruise line, an investment company, and co-founder of the University of Washington’s Center for Women and Democracy.
B.A., University of Washington.
Daymi Lembesi…….Yoga/Pilates Instructor. Owner of Brahman Sports, teaching yoga and pilates to athletes.
B.A., San Francisco State University.
Ashindi Maxton…….Director of Research & Special Projects, Democracy Alliance, a socially responsible financial investment company.
B.A., University of California at Berkeley.
Lutalo McGee…….Real Estate Agent. Also middle school teacher in Chicago.
B.S., Eastern Illinois University.
Robert J. Morris…….Former Executive Vice President of Century Housing based in Culver City, California, and Chairman of the Board of the LINC Housing Corporation.
B.A., University of California-Santa Barbara.
Yvette Moyo…….President of and CEO of Resource Associates International , Ltd., a marketing firm. President of Real Men Cook/MOBE.
B.A., Eastern Illinois University.
Jesse Norfleet…….Director of Programming at Community Media Center in Palo Alto, California. Produces community affairs and sports shows on cable television.
B.A., Stanford University.
Steven Phillips…….Attorney. At age 28 became the youngest member of the San Francisco Board of Education. Started his own successful high tech company, law firm, and nonprofit company. Written numerous newspaper articles and made many television appearances.
B.A., Stanford University. J.D., Stanford U. Law School.
Bridget Porter…….Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. Detroit, Michigan.
B.A., Indiana University.
Dawn Ridley…….President of the marketing firm Ridllye & Associates LLC. Also
teaches marketing at Johns Hopkins University.
B.A., Indiana University. MBA, Clark Atlanta University.
Mark Douglas Smith…….President and CEO of California Healthcare Foundation. A.B., Harvard University. MBA, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of
Business. M.D., University of California at San Francisco.
Craig Thompson…….Founder and President of Thompson Communications, an education and media consulting firm. An Associate in the law firm of Peter Angelos, owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Hosts radio and television talk shows in Baltimore.
B.A., University of Maryland. J.D., University of Maryland.
Stephen White…….Vice President for Product and Content Management for Gracenote, a digital media technology subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeremiah Wise…….Director of New Airport Business Development, Indianapolis International Airport.
B.A., Yale University. M.A., New York University.
Carter Woodruff…….Former Secretary/Treasurer of the American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees of Iowa, and Chief Stewart Negotiations Chair, Local 3673.
B.A., Luther College.
Performing Arts & Entertainment
Michelle H. Anderson…….Singer and beauty contestant and consultant. Was Miss Delaware 1995. Has sung at pro sports events, casinos, and at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.
B.A., Duke University.
Gabrie’l J. Atchison…….Choreographer and dancer. Established a production company.
B.A., Brown University. Ph.D. in Women’s Studies, Clark University.
Angela Bassett…….Actress. Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1994 and an Oscar nominee for the movie “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
B.A., Yale University. M.A., Drama, Yale University.
Ryan Michelle Bathe…….Actress. Appeared in “ER”, “Boston Legal”, etc.
B.A., Stanford University. MFA, New York University.
Andrew Case…….Musician. Drummer with the 10-piece world beat Outer Circle
Orchestra in Buffalo, New York. Day job is Physician’s Assistant in orthopedic surgery.
B.A., University of Buffalo. B.S., D’Youville College.
Julius Brewster-Cotton…….Professional dancer with the El Taller Coreografico in Mexico City, Mexico. Formerly with the Dayton (Ohio) Contemporary Dance Company. He was an Arts Commissioner for the city of Centerville, Ohio.
B.A., Southern Methodist University.
Rody Chiong…….Actor and musician. Has appeared in Hollywood movies, plays, and accompanied Sania Twain and Celine Dion with his violin and fiddle.
B.A., Indiana University.
Harlina Churn-Diallo…….Choreographer-Artistic Director. Founder and Director of Imani Dance Company. Winner of several regional awards.
B.S., University of Louisville.
Yaya DaCosta…….Model-Actress. Appeared on the TV reality show “America’s Next Top Model,” winning second place. Later signed with the famed Ford Modeling Agency.
B.A., Brown University.
Andre De Shields…….Actor, director, narrator, labor union activist, adjunct professor. Has appeared in a number of movies, television shows, and stage shows. He has won an Emmy and been nominated for a Tony Award.
M.A., New York University.
Charles Dumas…….Actor, director, and theater professor at Penn State. Appeared in several popular Hollywood movies and is seen on such TV shows as “Law & Order.”
B.A., State University of New York-New Platz. J.D., Yale University.
Ava DuVernay…….Filmmaker. Owner of The DuVernay Agency, a marketing and PR firm.
B.A., UCLA.
Stacy Epps…….Singer-Attorney. Hip hop and jazz singer. Law clerk at B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates.
B.A., University of Virginia. J.D., University of Southern California.
Lafayette Gilchrist…….Jazz Pianist. Has released four albums. Leads the band The New Volcanoes.
B.A., University of Maryland.
Donald W. King…….Acting Director. Artistic/Executive Director of the Providence (RI) Black Repertory Company.
B.A., Brown University.
Yolanda King…….Actress-instructor. Daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Taught
theater at Fordham University and acted in stage productions across the country.
B.A., Smith College.
Sanaa Lathan…….Award-winning Hollywood actress. Most played the female lead role in the movie “Out of Time’ (2003) starring Denzel Washington and has appeared in episodes of television’s “Nip/Tuck..
B.A., UC-Berkeley. M.A., Yale School of Drama.
Leigh Morfoot…….Film Production Company Co-founder. Produced two films
pertaining to media and law.
B.A., University of Virginia.
Drew Shoals…….Jazz drummer. Award-winning drummer who has performed with top jazz artists. Composes for the Drew Shoal Collective (CD release in 2007).
B.A., Whitman College.
Melissa Walker…….Professional jazz and pop singer. Sang at Lincoln Center under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, the Berlin Jazz Festival, etc. Four CD albums to her credit.
B.A., Brown University.
Brandon Wilson…….Filmmaker, screenwriter, and high school teacher.
B.A. and MFA, UCLA.
Visual Arts
Jim Barry…….Artist and art instructor at the California Institute of Technology.
B.A., University of California-Santa Barbara, 1986.
Rod Brown…….Comic book artist and creator Native Comics.
B.A., Emory University. B.A., Art Institute of Atlanta.
Robert Henry Graham…….Artist-educator. His paintings have been displayed in more than 70 solo exhibits since 1968. He is Professor of Art at Virginia Tech.
M.A., University of Wisconsin. M.F.A., University of Wisconsin.
Sarah J. Glover…….Award-winning photographer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
B.A., Syracuse University.
Thelma Golden…….Art museum director. Executive Director of the Studio Museum in Harlem. She has contributed to books and articles on American art.
B.A., Smith College.
Eugenie J. Joo……Curator. Contemporary art curator at the New Museum in New York City. Winner of the 2006 Walter Hopp Award for Curatorial Achievement.
B.A., Vassar College. Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley.
Dawit Lessanu…….Entrepreneur. Formerly web animator, writer, and creator of
“Maatkara” science fiction adventure featured on SCIFI.com. He is a managing partner of Stimulation Station.
B.A., Rutgers University.
Aaron McGruder…….Creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip “The Boondocks.”
B.A., University of Maryland.
Amani Willett…….Photographer and real estate agent. His work has appeared in Glamour and Color Magazine. Solo exhibition titled “Fragments” at the Taranto Gallery in Manhattan.
B.A., Wesleyan University.
Yacob Williams…….Mural Artist. Paints in the Albany, New York neighborhood of Arbor Hill.
B.A., SUNY-New Platz
Literature & Poetry
Michael Datcher…….Award-winning poet and journalist who has made numerous TV and radio appearances. Author of Raising Fences: A Black Man’s Love Story (2001).
M.A., UC-Berkeley.
Suzette Harrison…….Romance novelist. Author of two black romance novels.
B.A., University of California-Santa Barbara.
Bruce A. Jacobs…….Winner of the prestigious Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award, and author of the critically acclaimed nonfiction book Race Manners (1999).
B.A., Harvard University.
Devorah Major…….In 2002 she officially became the third Poet Laureate of San Francisco. She is also a trained actress, dancer, novelist, instructor, and editor.
B.A., San Francisco State University.
Felicia Mason…….Author of 11 romance novels. Winner of Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur Best Contemporary Ethnic Novel Award.
M.A., University of Maryland.
Ethelbert Miller…….Award-winning poet, editor, college administrator and founder of the D.C. Humanities Council.
B.A., Howard University.
Gloria Naylor…….Novelist. Winner of the prestigious National Book Award in 1983 for The Women of Brewster Place (Viking Press). Guggenheim Fellow and National Endowment Fellow. She has taught at Penn, Cornell, and the University of Kent (England). Established her own multi-media production company.
M.A., Yale University, 1983.
Jill Nelson…….Novelist, freelance journalist and former staff writer at the Washington Post. Winner of the America Book Award for her memoir, Volunteer Slavery (1993). She is Associate Professor of Journalism at the City College of New York.
B.A., City College of New York. M.A., Columbia School of Journalism.
Sandra Jackson-Opoku…….Poet-Novelist. Also award-winning educator and travel journalist.
B.A., University of Massachusetts.
Irene Smalls…….Award-winning author of 17 children’s books.
B.A., Cornell University.
Natasha Tarpley…….Award-winning author of books for children and adults.
B.A., Harvard University.
Sports
Christopher Asher…….Head Coach of Track and Field at California State University at Los Angeles.
B.A., California State University at Northridge.
Vince Carter…….Pro basketball superstar currently with the New Jersey Nets. .
B.A, University of North Carolina.
Lewis Chitengwa…….Professional Golfer who, in 1993 became the first black African (Zimbabwean) to win the South African Amateur Championship. The Lewis Chitengwa Foundation and the $100,000 Canadian Golf Tour’s Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Championship was established in his honor after his untimely death at age 26 in 2001.
B.A., University if Virginia.
Dorothy Gaters…….As head coach of the girl’s basketball team at Marshall High
Scholl in Chicago she has won 8 state championships and has over 900 career victories.
M.A., Governor’s State University.
Monique Hennagan…….Sydney, Australia 2000 Olympic Games gold medalist in the 4×400 relay.
B.A., University of North Carolina.
Adam Hutchinson…….Head basketball coach at Washington and Lee University, formerly head basketball coach at Case Western Reserve University.
B.A., Amherst College.
Allan W. Houston Jr…….Pro Basketball Star. Played with the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks.
B.A., University of Tennessee.
Keisha D. Marvin…….Head Track Coach. San Gabriel Valley High School. Former
UCLA All-American.
B.A., UCLA
Keiko Price…….UCLA Assistant Academic Director for Student Athletes. Was
Academic All-American, PAC-10 100 meter freestyle swimming champion, and swim team captain at UCLA.
B.A., University of California-Los Angeles.
Duer Sharp…….Commissioner, Southwestern Atlantic Conference (SAC).
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison. M.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jerry Stackhouse…….High scoring basketball star with the Washington Wizards who later played for the Dallas Mavericks.
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Education
Daniel Altschuler…….Rhodes Scholar (2006). Studied at Oxford University.
B.A., Amherst College.
Jared Ball…….Communications Professor-Radio Host. Teaches at Morgan State
University. Founder and host of FreeMix Radio.
M.A., Cornell University. Ph.D., University of Maryland.
Maisha Baton…….Poet, historian, and lecturer at the University of New Mexico.
B.S., University of Pittsburgh. Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh.
Christopher A. Bracey…….Law professor at Washington University. Has published in the Harvard Law Review, among others.
B.S., University of North Carolina. J.D., Harvard University.
Rakim H. D. Brooks…….Rhodes Scholar (2009). Slated to study comparative social policy at Oxford University.
B.A., Brown University.
Sean T. Buffington…….President and CEO of The University of the Arts in
Philadelphia (enrollment 2,300).
B.A., Harvard University. M.A., University of Michigan.
Dale Colston…….Principal librarian in the Business, Science, and Technology Center at the Newark Public Library.
B.A., Rutgers University. M.L.S., Rutgers University.
Marta J. Effinger-Crichlow…….Teacher, playwright, and founder of The Mosaic
Project which promotes human relations education to children.
M.A., University of Pittsburgh. Ph.D. in theater, Northwestern University.
Kristie Dotson…….Philosophy Professor. Michigan State University.
B.A., Coe College. Ph.D., University of Memphis.
Michael V. Drake……. Chancellor of the University of California at Irvine and Doctor of Ophthalmology.
A.B., Stanford University. M.D., University of California at San Francisco.
Cheryl Finley…….Assistant Professor of Art and African American Studies at Cornell University. Author of Harlem Guaranteed: The Photographic Legacy of James VanDerZee (2002).
Ph.D., Yale University.
Cheryl T. Grills…….Professor of Psychology at Loyola Marymount University .
B.A., Yale University. Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles.
Tremaine Grimes……. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Iona College (New York).
B.A., Harvard University. Ph.D., Columbia University.
Charlene Hayes…….Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at Johns Hopkins University.
B.A., Cornell University. J.D., George Washington University.
Jumoke Hinton Hodge…….Education activist. Board member of the Oakland (CA) Unified School District. Co-founder and director of the Parent Leadership and Engagement Academy Initiative (PLEA).
B.A., Oberlin College.
Endesha Ida Mae Holland…….Was theater professor at the University of Southern California, award-winning playwright, and author of several books.
B.A., University of Minnesota. Ph.D. in American Studies, U. of Minnesota.
Dwight Hopkins…….Theology Professor, University of Chicago.
B.A., Harvard University. Ph.D., Union Theological Seminary. Ph.D., University of
Cape Town.
Diane Hughes…….Professor of Psychology at New York University.
B.A., Williams College. Ph.D., Michigan State University.
Adrienne Israel…….Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean at Guilford College.
M.A., Howard University, 1973. Ph.D. in History, Johns Hopkins U.
Genteen L. Jean-Michel…….Principal, Lee Academy Pilot School, an elementary
school in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
B.A. and M.Ed., University of Massachusetts-Boston.
Agatha Jeffers…….Accounting Professor, Montclair State University. Also Certified Public Accountant.
B.S., Hunter College. Ph.D., Rutgers University.
Cedric Kwesi Johnson……. Political Science Professor, Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York.
M.A., Ohio State University. Ph.D., University of Maryland.
Chana Kai Lee…….Associate Professor of History at the University of Georgia. Her award-winning book is For Freedom’s Sake: The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer (1999).
B.A., University of California-Berkeley. Ph.D., UCLA.
Haipeng Li…….Born in the Chinese Province of Jilin, he is a reference librarian at Oberlin College.
M.A., University of Mississippi.
Sharif Z. Liwaru…….Family teacher at the historic Boys Town (Father Flanagan’s
Boys Home), Omaha, Nebraska.
B.A., University of Nebraska.
Herbert R. Marbury…….Asst. Professor of Hebrew Bible, Vanderbilt University and University Chaplain at Clark Atlanta University. With knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, French, and German he is one of the rare black experts on the Dead Sea Scrolls
B.A., Emory University. Ph.D., Vanderbilt University.
Pamela B. Organista…….Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University of San Francisco.
B.A., Washington University. Ph.D., Arizona State University.
Kimberly L. Phillips…….Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the College of William & Mary. Her award-winning book is AlabamaNorth: African American Migrants, Community, and Working-Class Activism in Cleveland (1999)
M.A., Yale University. Ph.D., American Studies, Yale University.
Michael Ralph…….Anthropologist. Assistant Professor of Social and Cultural
Anthropology at New York University.
B.A., Morris Brown College Ph.D., University of Chicago.
Gabriel Rogers…….Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library.
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison. M.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Clayton F. Rosati…….Geography Professor at Bowling Green State University.
B.A., Ph.D. Syracuse University.
Saadi Simawe…….English Professor at Grinnell College.
M.A., University of Iowa. Ph.D., University of Iowa.
Maboula Soumahoro…….Women’s Studies professor at Barnard College. M.A.,
Universite Paris-XII Creteil. Ph.D., Universite Francois Rabelais de Tours.
Stevie J. Swanson…….Law professor at the University of Michigan.
B.A., Yale University. J.D., University of Michigan.
Richard Brent Turner…….Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa. Author of Islam in the African-American Experience (Indiana U. Press, 1997).
M.A., Boston University. Ph.D., Princeton University.
Ayana Williams…….Dance Instructor, DreamYard Preparatory School (Bronx, NY).
B.A., College of Wooster.
Lori Woodall-Schaufler…….Theater Professor. Performs in plays, movies, and
commercials in Wisconsin and California. Teaches at Concordia University.
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison. M.A., California Institute of the Arts.
News Media
Janus Adams…….Syndicated columnist, Emmy-winning news writer and talk show host on Connecticut television, author, and historian.
M.A., Mills College.
Karen Grigsby Bates…….Journalist-novelist. She has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, People magazine, and the Los Angeles Times; made appearances on National Public Radio (NPR), ABC’s “Nightline” and the “CBS Evening News.”
B.A., Wellesley College.
Tiffany Black…….Editorial producer for InStyle.com. At age 23, she was an online editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
B.A., University of North Carolina.
James T. Campbell…….Editorial writer for the Houston Chronicle. Former director of the Press Club of Houston.
B.A., University of Houston.
Clay Cain…….Entertainment journalist. Has written for a number of high=profile
magazines and has interview top entertainment celebrities.
B.A., Rutgers University (Phi Beta Kappa).
Haven Daley…….Video journalist for Associated Press. Former television anchorman on “New 24” in Houston Texas. He is a member of the Native American Journalists Association.
B.A., Pennsylvania State University. M.A. in Broadcast Journalism, Northwestern U.
Douglas Flynn…….Sports writer for Boston Sports Media Watch.
B.A., Brown University.
Jessie Graham…….Freelance print and radio journalist. Has worked for National
Public Radio (NPR) and the New York Post.
B.A., Wesleyan University.
Selwyn S. Hinds…….Former editor-in-chief of The Source, the leading hip hop
magazine. He is also the author of two books.
B.A., Princeton University.
Aliya S. King…….Freelance writer. His articles have appeared in Vibe, The Source, Essence, Us Weekly, Black Enterprise, New Music Monthly, etc. Editorial positions at Billboard magazine and The Source.
B.A., Rutgers University.
Pearl Stewart…….Professor and founder of Black College Wire. In 1992 she became the first black female to become editor of a major daily newspaper, the Oakland Tribune.
B.A., Howard University.
David Van Taylor…….Vice President of Lumiere Production Inc. Has written,
directed, and edited highly acclaimed documentary films including the 1993 Emmynominated “Dream Deceivers.”
B.A., Harvard University.
Erica Terry Derryck…….Communications Director. Formerly an MTV segment
producer and news reporter.
B.A., Wesleyan University. M.A., University of California at Berkeley.
Japhet Week…….Editor and freelance writer working in Shanghai, China.
B.A., Brown University
Bill Whitaker…….CBS new correspondent based in Los Angeles. Frequently seen on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.
M.A., Boston University.
Lloyd Kam Williams…….Syndicated film and book critic.
M.A., Brown University, MBA, University of Pennsylvania, J.D., Boston University.
Social, Community, & Humanitarian Services
Peter Bouckaert…….Emergency director for Human Rights Watch investigating human rights abuses around the globe.
B.A., University of California-Santa Barbara. J.D., Stanford University.
Jonah M. Edelman…….Son of Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Defense
Fund, he graduated summa cum laude and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He is the Executive Director of Hunt Alternatives Fund.
B.A., Yale University. Ph.D. in Politics, Oxford University.
Derrick C. Evans…….Community Activist and Professor. Founder and Executive
Director of the Turkey Creek (Mississippi) Community Initiative formed after Hurricane Katrina. Teaches part-time at Boston College.
B.A., MAT, Boston College.
Calvin Holmes…….Executive Director of the Chicago Community Loan Fund.
B.A., Northwestern University.
Antoinette Jackson…….Habitat for Humanity Board Chairperson (Houston). Also attorney in the firm of Coasts, Rose, Yale, Ryman & Lee.
B.A., University of Virginia. J.D., Texas Southern University.
Katherine Kennedy…….Was Executive Director of the San Francisco office of the Summer Search Foundation which identifies at-risk youth and shows them a way to a better future.
B.A., University of Pennsylvania.
Brian J. Kreiter…….Co-founder of the National Student Partnership. Winner of the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 or Under.
B.A., Yale University. MBA, Harvard University.
Bil Mooney-McCoy…….Director of Safe Families for TechMission.
B.A., Brandeis University. M.A., New England Conservatory of Music.
Sonja Okun…….Founder of exalt, a juvenile crime prevention agency in Brooklyn, NY.
B.S., MBA, Harvard University.
Sanetta Ponton…….Homeless Advocate. Executive Director of SonRise House.
B.A., Columbia University
Wendy D. Puriefoy…….President of the Public Education Network, the nation’s largest network of community-based school-reform organizations.
M.A., Boston University.
Zulayka Santiago…….Executive Director of El Pueblo, a Latino advocacy organization in North Carolina.
B.A., Barnard College.
Elizabeth Siwo-Okundi…….Founder of Orphan Wisdom Inc., a non-profit organization that assists orphans in Kenya.
B.A., Denison University. M.T., Harvard Divinity School.
Jacci Thompson-Dodd…….Founder of WeSpeakLoudly, a women’s health education and advocacy group in Seattle, Washington.
M.A., Boston University.
David Walker…….Executive Director of the Morristown Neighborhood House.
Teaches program evaluation at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.
B.A., Stanford University. J.D., Georgetown U. M.S.W., Columbia University.
Jason Warwin…….Co-founder and co-director of Brotherhood/Sisterhood Sol which counsels and teaches black and Latino adolescents in New York City.
B.A., Brown University.
Teddy Wright…….Salvation Army/YMAC specialist, Seattle, Washington.
B.A., Harvard University.
Religion
Alise D. Barrymore…….Dean of University Ministries and Campus Pastor at North Park University in Chicago. Winner of academic and preaching awards.
B.A., Yale U. M.Div., McCormick Theological Seminary.
Joseph A. Brown…….Catholic Priest. Poet and author of books on religion who teaches at Southern Illinois University.
M.A., Yale University. Ph.D., Yale University.
Janelle Hooper…….Lutheran Pastor. Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Our Savior
Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois.
B.A., University of Texas-Austin. M.Div., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Mustafaa Islam…….Imam, An-Nur Islamic Center in Springfield, Ohio.
B.A., Brown University.
Yolanda D. Lehman…….Pastor of the multi-ethnic Resurrection African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
B.A., Wesleyan U. M.Div., Harvard School of Divinity.
Danny S. Pyon…….Owner of Ours Inc. in Compton, California, focusing on
empowering youth. Former Youth group pastor at the First Korean Church of New Jersey.
B.A., Brandeis University.
Frank M. Reid…….Senior Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore. Prolific author, heard or radio and seen on television, and founder of Frank M. Reid Ministries.
B.A., Yale University. D.Min., United Theological Seminary.
W. Franklyn Richardson…….Senior Pastor of the 4000-member Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York.
M.Div., Yale U. D.Min., United Theological Seminary.
Stephen P. Samuel…….Pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Trenton, New Jersey.
B.A., Morehouse College. M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary.
Cheryl Sanders…….Pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C.
B.A., Swarthmore College. D.D., Harvard University.
Gary V. Simpson…….Pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.
Author of articles on religion. Phi Beta Kappa.
B.A., Denison University. D.D., Union Theological Seminary.
Weldon G. Thomas…….Pastor of New Bethel CME Church in Rochester, New York. Former Presiding Elder of the New York-New England District of the Washington Region of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church.
B.A., University of Maryland. J.D., Georgetown University.
Richard Toliver…….Rector of St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in Chicago, former
Peace Corps administrator and university professor. Profiled in Ebony and Business Week.
M.A., Boston University. Ph.D., Howard University.
Dexter B. Upshaw Jr…….Director of Youth and young adults at Rising Star Baptist Church (Conroe, Texas), and Marketing Director for Gamma Phi Delta Christian Fraternity.
B.A., Yale University.