Matthew Whitaker: The Great Jazz Hope
Photo by Jacob Blickenstaff “The music really speaks for itself.” When 20-year-old jazz prodigy and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Whitaker takes the stage, audiences are in…
Christine Simmons: Academy Trailblazer
Christine Simmons with her son Christian. Photos by April Johnston. “You don’t have to work within the system.” In Rancho Cucamonga, a suburban city…
Ron Simons: The Maestro of Broadway
Photos by Bobby Quillard “Know a good story when you see one.” Growing up in Detroit in the late 60s and 70s, Ron Simons…
The Game Theory Wizardry of Mike and Josh Grier
Brothers Mike and Josh Grier are the co-founders of Ember Lab, an independent animation, digital, and gaming studio. Photo by Luke Fontana. “Find what…
Ed Welburn: Master of Design
Photos courtesy of Ed Welburn “Look at what’s next and what is different.” Before “graduating from his last corporate gig,” Ed Welburn designed cars…
Hill Harper: Investing in Us
Photos courtesy of Hill Harper “Time is the most valuable thing you have.” Hill Harper comes from a rich history of black entrepreneurship. “The…
David Steward II and Carl Reed: Intersectionality on the International Stage
Photos by Paul Colletti “Diverse stories are global.” David Steward II and Carl Reed are the co-founders of Lion Forge Animation, an Academy Award-winning…
David L. Robbins: The Foundation of a Writer
Photo courtesy of David L. Robbins “Whatever you are writing about, you want it to be authentic.” David L. Robbins, the son of WWII…
Deborah Joy Winans: More to Come
Photos by J. Bolin “Always look for ways to grow.” When Deborah Joy Winans was growing up in the influential and legendary Winans family,…
Vernā Myers: Bringing Inclusion and Equity to Netflix
Photos by Laurie Bishop “Your life is a life no one has lived.” Vernā Myers, the Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, grew…