Two classmates from Georgetown University, Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen, planned to reshape the social landscape of Atlanta. Night after night, they gathered in Ryan's apartment, investing long hours to meticulously plot and strategize how to turn their vision into reality.Their dream was to create a haven for where Black professionals, creatives, and leaders could come together to network, collaborate, and support one another. With this vision in mind, they founded The Gathering Spot, a private membership club.As they pitched their concept to potential investors they were told no 97...
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Kehinde Wiley was born in Los Angeles, California. His artistic journey began when his mother enrolled him in after-school art classes. At age 11, he ventured to Russia as part of an art exchange program.After high school, he pursued his passion and obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from San Francisco Art Institute and later earned a Master of Fine Arts at Yale University. Wiley's signature style emerged as he painted heroic portraits of young African American men he met on the streets.In 2015, he received the National Medal...
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Born in Georgia on July 29th, 1981, Tremaine Emory's journey in the fashion world started with a humble beginning. Raised in Queens, New York, he started with various retail jobs, immersing himself in the style scene, understanding trends, and discovering his passion for design. By the late 2010s, he'd climbed the ranks, landing the Director at Large role at Stussy, a streetwear brand, where he began shaping his vision for the future.In 2019, Emory took a bold step, launching Denim Tears. More than just clothing, it was an artistic canvas...
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Joey Bada$$ has taken a step toward making a difference with ImpactMENtorship, a program he founded. This initiative offers mentorship, free of charge, to men of color 18 and older in the United States.Direct access to mentors who inspire you can change your life. It has the potential to reshape your entire perspective and pave the way for you to reach your goals.In a world where many talk about making a positive impact on the youth, Joey Bada$$ is standing on his word. Big shout out to all the mentors...
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In the 1920s, a wave known as the Great Migration swept across the United States. More than 750,000 African Americans left the oppressive conditions of the Southern United States in pursuit of better economic opportunities, education and freedom from racial segregation. This historic migration saw Black citizens relocating to vibrant urban centers like Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, and, notably, Harlem, New York.Drawing in 175,000 migrants, Harlem had the largest concentration of African-American individuals and became a beacon of hope for those seeking change. Some of the world's most skilled...
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In 2019, data from the Survey of Consumer Finances revealed the median white family held $184,000 in wealth compared to just $23,000 for the median Black family. This inequality is a result of various factors, including disparities in home equity, financial assets, and income.Systemic barriers have persistently obstructed Black families from achieving economic security through employment, education, and homeownership. It’s our responsibility as the Black youth to become aware to challenge oppressive institutions and systems.We can start by educating ourselves, learning about money, fixing our credit, saving and creating budgets,...
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Cassius Clay was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1942. When he was 12 years old, somebody stole his bike, and he told the officer he wanted to beat up whoever stole it. Officer Joe Martin told him he better learn how to fight first. Officer Martin trained him for the next 6 years.In 1956, Clay won the Golden Gloves beginners tournament. In 1959, he won the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions and the AAU national title. In 1960, Clay won a gold medal on the US Olympic...
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Born on April 29, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Percy "Master P" Miller and his four siblings were raised in the notorious Calliope Projects.After receiving an athletic scholarship, Miller attended the University of Houston for a brief period before transferring to Merritt College in Oakland, California, where he pursued a major in business administration. Miller's grandfather's passing left him with $10,000, which he used to open his own record store named No Limit Records in Richmond, California, in 1990.Initially intended as a store, No Limit Records evolved into a record...
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Born on February 27, 1989, in PG County, Maryland, Cameron “Cam Kirk” Kirkland was destined for a life behind the lens. With a father who was a photographer, Cam got his first taste of the craft as his dad's assistant on projects.Back in 2007 at Morehouse College, Cam caught the photography bug. Grinding through the years, he made his mark in the photography and videography industry, earning his stripes as one of the most credible visual storytellers.But Cam Kirk wasn't content with personal success alone. He identified a gap in...
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Olamide Olowe's interest in skincare started early, driven by her personal struggles with acne and hyperpigmentation. While attending UCLA on a track scholarship and pursuing a pre-med degree, she got her first taste of entrepreneurship by co-founding SheaGIRL in partnership with SheaMoisture. This experience exposed her to the possibilities of being a large business that could reinvest in and impact the community.In her senior year, SheaMoisture was acquired by Unilever, prompting Olamide to identify a gap in the skincare market related to inclusivity in chronic skincare. Despite knowing she wanted...
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Nicole Lynn's roots trace back to Tulsa, Oklahoma. She pursued her undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Oklahoma and pledged Delta Sigma Theta.In 2015, Nicole entered the NFL scene, making history as the first female agent for PlayersRep within the Young Money APAA Sports Agency owned by Lil Wayne. Her journey was on the rise.In 2019, she inked a deal with New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, becoming the first Black woman to represent a top-three NFL draft pick. Her vision for recognizing talent and breaking barriers...
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Emory Jones holds a special place in Jay Z's inner circle, having been a close friend long before Jay-Z’s career took off. Together, they got money from various avenues.In 1997, Jones faced legal troubles, pleading guilty to drug distribution charges and received a 16-year sentence in 2000.In 2006, Jay dedicated a song to Emory called "Do U Wanna Ride," which also featured John Legend and was produced by Kanye West.As time passed, Jay Z remained committed to getting his friend out of jail. In 2009, he wrote a letter to...
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