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“Carol’s Daughter”
Lisa Price, born on May 18, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York, is a beauty entrepreneur and the founder of Carol’s Daughter, one of the first African American-owned natural hair and skincare brands to achieve national success. What started in her kitchen with a love for fragrance and aromatherapeutic oils transformed into a multi-million-dollar beauty empire that continues to thrive more than 30 years later. Encouraged by her mother, Carol, Price began selling her homemade creams and hair products in 1993 with just $100 in cash. Selling at flea markets and... Read more...
“HOV”
Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised by his mother in the Marcy Projects, Jay-Z grew up surrounded by drugs, violence, and poverty. He turned to rap as a creative escape, drawing on his experiences to craft autobiographical lyrics. In 1989, he collaborated with Jaz-O, which earned them a spot on Yo! MTV Raps and inspired his stage name, Jay-Z, as an homage to his mentor and his childhood nickname, “Jazzy.” In 1996 he co-founded Roc-a-Fella Records with Damon... Read more...
"Ms. Lauryn Hill"
Lauryn Hill was born in South Orange, New Jersey. Her musical journey began in high school when she performed with her classmate Prakazrel ("Pras") Michel under the name Tranzlator Crew, later joined by Wyclef Jean. She also showcased her acting talent in the Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. With her earnings from acting, she financed her group, which was renamed the Fugees in 1993. Although their debut album, Blunted on Reality (1994), received modest reviews, critics often highlighted Hill's standout performance, suggesting she pursue a solo career. The... Read more...
“Don Peebles”
Born on March 2, 1960, Roy Donahue Peebles grew up in Washington, D.C., the only son of a civil servant and a real estate broker. Following high school, Peebles enrolled at Rutgers University, intending to pursue a career in medicine. In 1979, he began his real estate career as an appraiser, opening his own firm within three years and securing major clients like the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.i Peebles’ career soared in 1983 when Mayor Marion Barry appointed him to the District of Columbia’s Board of Equalization... Read more...
"Jasmine Crockett"
Jasmine Crockett, born on March 29, 1981, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a attorney and politician dedicated to protecting civil liberties and uplifting underrepresented communities. Raised in a family committed to public service, with her father as a preacher and teacher and her mother a USPS employee, Crockett’s values of justice and equality were instilled early. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Rhodes College and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, becoming licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and federal courts. Crockett began her... Read more...
"Karl Kani"
Carl Williams, better known as Karl Kani, was born in Costa Rica and migrated to the U.S. with his family at just two years old, settling in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Inspired by his father, who had his clothes made by a tailor, Carl developed an early interest in fashion. At age 16, he made his first suit, and by 21, he moved cross-country to pursue his dreams. He opened a store in Los Angeles, but his progress was derailed by an armed robbery that left him starting over from scratch. Undeterred,... Read more...
"Marsai Martin"
Born in Plano, Texas, Marsai Martin began acting before she could even talk. At just five years old, she landed her first national commercial for The Choice Hotel in the ad “Voice of the People.” After relocating to Los Angeles, Martin was cast as Diane Johnson on the Emmy-nominated hit comedy Black-ish. Her role as the youngest daughter on Kenya Barris’ ABC sitcom earned her nominations at the NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and SAG Awards. In April 2022, Martin became the world’s youngest executive producer to star in her... Read more...
“K.DOT”
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, named after Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Growing up in Section 8 housing, Kendrick and his family faced homelessness while navigating the challenges of gang violence and police brutality in their community. His seventh-grade teacher, Mr. Inge, sparked his love for poetry and creative writing, leading Kendrick to process his experiences through rhymes and metaphors. By high school, Kendrick adopted the name K-Dot, releasing his first mixtape, Y.H.N.I.C. (2003), which landed him a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment.... Read more...
“Shirley Chisholm”
If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. Shirley Chisholm, was born in New York City. She was a pioneering African-American politician and advocate for women and minorities. She grew up in both Barbados and Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor's Degree in 1946. Before entering politics, she served as the director of a childcare center and an education consultant. In 1964, Chisholm was elected to the New York State Legislature, where she served for four years. Her career... Read more...
"Cash Money Records"
The Magnolia Projects, one of the largest and poorest housing projects in New Orleans, was home to Birdman and his brother Slim. Birdman was drawn to the allure of the streets, inspired by the fly, iced up hustlers around the neighborhood. Recognizing the poverty and lack of opportunities in Magnolia, he desired more. Hustling became second nature, and the fast money from selling drugs got him respected.Slim, on the other hand, was the quiet, laid-back one with a sharp business mind, always thinking about ways to make money. Together, Birdman's... Read more...
Dr Dre
From taking the stage as Dr. Dre in the early 80s, André Young's journey in music began as a hip-hop DJ and member of World Class Wreckin’ Cru, performing at clubs and parties in LA's south-central district. In 1986, he co-founded N.W.A (N***** Wit Attitudes) with Eazy-E and Ice Cube, giving a voice to the streets with raw and unapologetic lyrics. Their second album, Straight Outta Compton (1988), sold over 2 million copies and pioneered the gangsta rap genre, notably with the controversial track 'F*** tha Police,' which even drew... Read more...
“Floyd Mayweather”
Floyd Mayweather Jr. grew up in both New Jersey and Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his family faced challenges with addiction and poverty. Boxing ran deep in his bloodline, with his father Floyd Mayweather Sr. being a welterweight contender, and his uncles Jeff and Roger Mayweather also making their marks in the sport.Mayweather began his amateur boxing career after high school, finishing with a record of 84-8 by 1992. He won the national Golden Gloves championships in 1993 and 1996 before representing the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in... Read more...