William Ellis “Billy” Porter II is an actor, singer, and author who is most recognized for his Broadway performances and runway attire. Porter was born on September 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to William E. Porter and Cloerinda Jean Johnson Porter Ford and revealed to … Read MoreBilly Porter (1969- )
Ritchie John Torres is a Democratic politician in the state of New York, representing the 15th congressional district. Torres was born on March 12, 1988 in the Bronx, New York. He identifies as Afro-Latino, as his mother is African American and his father is Hispanic … Read MoreRitchie Torres (1988- )
New York Congressman Mondaire Jones was born in Nyack, New York, on May 18, 1987. He grew up in a single-parent household with his mother in Spring Valley, New York. Although he had humble beginnings, his mother did everything possible—including living in Section 8 housing, … Read MoreMondaire L. Jones (1987- )
Bella Forsgrén is the first black woman elected to the Parliament of Finland. Born February 10, 1992, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, she was adopted at age 3 by a Finnish couple. Her official, legal name is Asha (meaning hope, given by her … Read MoreBella Forsgrén (aka Asha Maria Belaynesh Forsgrén) (1992- )
Alexis Nikole Nelson is a queer actor, writer, producer, social media marketing manager, and forager. Born on March 27, 1992, in Columbus, Ohio, Nelson sang in the children’s choir at her father’s Baptist church at just three years old. At five years old, she began … Read MoreAlexis Nikole Nelson (1992- )
Lulu Merle Johnson was pioneer in education and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the state of Iowa. Born on September 14, 1907 in Gravity, Iowa to Jeanette (Burton) and Richard Johnson, her mother was the daughter of freed slaves, and … Read MoreLulu Merle Johnson (1907-1995)
John Eric Teamer was a gay public high school teacher in Sacramento and San Francisco, California, who emerged as an important community activist in San Francisco and leader in the nationwide LBGTQ community. Teamer was born in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 26, 1941. Beginning … Read MoreJohn Eric Teamer (1941-1994)
Arlan Hamilton is the founder of Backstage Capital and the author of “It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage,” which was published in 2020. Hamilton was born on October 30, 1980, in Dallas, Texas. Her first interest was the … Read MoreArlan Hamilton (1980- )
Jonathan T. Capehart is a journalist and television anchor. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on July 2, 1967. Capehart graduated from Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School, located in Newark, in 1985. He then attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, earning his B.A. in political … Read MoreJonathan Capehart (1967- )
Alana Mayo is a film production executive who was born in New York on May 2, 1985. Mayo was raised in Chicago, but she returned to New York after high school to attended Columbia University. She double majored in English and Film Studies, and graduated … Read MoreAlana Mayo (1985- )
