Appiah, Kwame Anthony. Groundbreaking scholar and philosopher.
Austin, Lloyd. Highest-ranking African-American officer in the U.S. military.
Banda, Joyce. First woman president of Malawi.
Beckwith, Naomi. Rising curator at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.
Bilal. Critically acclaimed neo-soul singer and songwriter.
Bradley, Adam. Scholar who drew attention to poetic roots of rap and hip-hop.
Buress, Hannibal. Stand-up comic and writer for 30 ROCK.
Celestin, Josaphat. First Haitian American to lead major American city.
Clark, Carl. World War II hero recognized for bravery more than 60 years later.
Cobbs, Bill. Character actor remembered for stage and screen roles.
Crum, George. Restaurateur who invented the potato chip.
Delpit, Lisa. Advocate of culturally appropriate teaching methods.
Diamond, Lydia R. Award-winning dramatist whose STICK FLY opened on Broadway in 2011.
Dove, Rita. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.
Elise, Kimberly. Actress known for emotional roles in DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN and FOR COLORED GIRLS.
Fishbone. High-energy alternative rock band from LA.
George, Nelson. Thought-provoking filmmaker and cultural critic.
Gilmore, Artis. Hall of Fame center known as "A Train".
Glasper, Robert. Innovative pianist who fused jazz and hip-hop.
Greene Jr., Frank S. Engineer whose technology was applied in aerospace industry.
Henderson, George Washington. First African American inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
Johnson, Magic. NBA superstar of the 1980s and spokesman for AIDS awareness.
Jones, Genevieve. Modern-day Holly Golightly, dubbed "Girl of the Moment".
Jones, Rashida. Actress known for roles on THE OFFICE and PARKS AND RECREATION.
Joseph, Jamal. Black Panther activist who rose to prominence as an educator and dramatist.
Kony, Joseph. Notorious Ugandan warlord charged with crimes against humanity.
Koontz, Elizabeth Duncan. Schoolteacher who became the first black president of the National Education Association.
Lacks, Henrietta. Unwitting research subject whose cells enabled important medical breakthroughs.
Langston, John Mercer. Abolitionist and attorney who became the first black Congressman from Virginia.
Maponya, Maishe. South African playwright and activist known for anti-Apartheid works of the 1980s.
Maponya, Richard. South African businessman who helped undermine apartheid.
Millinder, Lucky. Bandleader who influenced popular music in the 1940s and 1950s.
Montgomery, Robbie. Reality TV star and proprietor of Sweetie Pie's soul food restaurant in St. Louis, MO.
New Edition. R&B group remembered for "Candy Girl" and "Mr. Telephone Man".
Thiong'o, Ngugi wa. Important Kenyan writer of the postcolonial era.
Norton, Ken. Heavyweight boxing champion of the 1970s.
Okonjo-Iweala, Ngozi. Nigerian finance minister and former World Bank economist.
Powell, Keith. Actor and director known for role on 30 ROCK.
Price, David. Lefty ace for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Proof. Detroit rap artist and mentor to Eminem.
Puryear, Martin. Prominent sculptor known for working with natural materials.
Reedy, Jessica. Gospel singer who gained fame on BET's SUNDAY'S BEST.
The Roots. Grammy-winning hip-hop group and Jimmy Fallon's house band.
Sall, Macky. Senegalese president elected in hard-fought election in 2012.
Sanha, Malam Bacai. President of Guinea-Bissau who died in office in 2012.
Scott-Young, Mona. Mastermind of VH1's LOVE & HIP HOP.
Seymour, Richard. Defensive lineman who helped lead Patriots to three Super Bowl titles.
Shepp. Archie. Protégé of John Coltrane who experimented with free jazz.
Shyne. Belizean rapper who restarted his career after prison term.
Sklarek, Norma Merrick. First black female admitted to the American Institute of Architects.
Smith, Lee. Dominating relief pitcher who set all-time saves record.
Stradford, J.B. Businessman falsely accused of inciting 1921 race riot in Oklahoma.
Sumlin, Hubert. Blues guitarist and accompanist to Howlin' Wolf.
Thurston, Baratunde. Comedian, television host, and author of the best-selling book HOW TO BE BLACK.
Watts, André. World-renowned classical pianist awarded the National Medal of Arts.