#1: Jordan Coleman
Film director and voice actor. You might know him as Tyrone the Moose on Nickelodeon's The Backyardigans. He knew he was destined to do more and set his sights on something bigger. He directed, produced, and wrote his first film "Say It Loud," a film about the importance of education for African-American boys. His newest "Paying The Price" is about teen violence. His goal in life is to make a film every two year which focuses on social problems that affect teenagers.
#2: Marvelyn Brown
Having contracted AIDS/HIV at the young age of 19, Marvelyn Brown remained upbeat while battling her illness and instead saw an opportunity to do something powerful and life changing. She started traveling and telling her story, while spreading education regarding AIDS/HIV. In 2008, she she published her autobiography, "Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive." She is now the ambassador for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign.
#3: Asean Johnson
In 2013, when Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel planned to shut down more than 50 local schools in the city, student Asean Johnson of Marcus Garvey Elementary, made headlines by speaking outand quite articulatelylaunching the chant, "Education is our right, that is why we have to fight." The passion he displays at the age of 9 will hopefully continue as he grows older.
#4: Janet Mock
Since her coming out a Transgender Woman in 2011, Janet Mock has become one of the most visible transgender icons. She is a former editor of People magazine and in 2014, she released her first book titled Redefining Realness.
#5: Adele Taylor
At the age of 13, Adele noticed that many of her classmates and friends struggled with words. This bothered her so much that she took on a massive project called the Adele's Literacy Library in 2008. Furthermore, she host "Storytelling With Adele," where she reads to groups of all ages, she created a reading competition, and recently helped build a solar-powered learning center in Africa that houses 20 laptops, a reading room, and a 4,000-book library.
#6: Darius Weems
Having suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Darium Weems never left his hometown of Athen ,George. This all changed with the help of Project Reach. This nonprofit was able to help Darius take a cross-country trip to Los Angeles. His trip was documented in the documentary film Darius Goes West. Through his film he was also able to raise awareness of disability rights and a greater need for wheelchair accessibility.
#7: Divine Bradley
After realizing that little opportunities existed for youths to keep them off the streets after school, at the age of 17 Divine Bradley decided it was time to start a community center in Canarsie, Brooklyn. By 2002, he started the nonprofit organization Team Revolution and raised $25,000 to convert his parent's home into a community center. He continues to be a great motivational speaker, reaching out to children and creating the next generation of community leaders and social entrepreneurs.
#8: Sasheer Zamata
In 2014, Sasheer Zamata became the first black female cast member of SNL.Â
#9: Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is the first African American to create and executive-produce a top-rated one-hour TV series that has aired more than one season which is Grey's Anatomy. Hopefully, she will this kind of luck with Scandal.
#10: Peter Ramsey
Director of the of 3D computer-animated fantasy film Rise Of The Guardians. This made him the first African-American to direct a big budget animated feature.
#11: Charlene Carruthers
Charlene Carruthers, has worked with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Center for Community Change. She is an activist and has helped in the restoration of Haiti after the horrible earthquake. In the future, she hopes to do more for her community of South side Chicago.
#12: Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes was the first player to be signed to the WNBA. She has become a three time MVP and one of the first high profile athletes to come out publicly.
#13: De’Jaun Correia
Due to having it such a personal affect on his life, De'Juan has been speaking out against the death penalty since his uncle has been sitting on death row. Only 18 years old, he has already spoken to the British Parliament and continues to give speeches to help put an end to the death penalty.
#14: Thione Niang
Thione Niang has a remarkable story. He came to the United States from West Africa with only $20. Since then, he has become a profilic political activist and consultant. He was national chairman for the Young Democrats of America college caucus in 2008, helping out with the Obama campaign. Amazingly, he is now the CEO of Give1Project which encourages the youth to become community leaders.
#15: Bryant Terry
An eco-chief and food activist who encourages the youth to create a more sustainable food system through his project b-healthy!
