Blanche J
Authentic.Resonate.Soulful
Blanche J is a singer, songwriter, and SoulFunk innovator who is redefining what it means to create music from the heart and soul. A native Floridian with North Carolina roots and raised in a musical family, Blanche J grew up immersed in melody, rhythm, and the transformative power of song. She honed her craft and her purpose at Florida A&M University (FAMU), earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology and strengthening her commitment to music as a tool for healing and uplift.
What sets Blanche J apart is not just her warm, soulful tone, but the way her music connects deeply with listeners across the globe. From her debut EP iAmMuziq to her internationally acclaimed voice memos series, Blanche J has blended R&B, Soul, Funk, and Gospel into a sound that is unmistakably hers, soulful, infectious, and impossible to forget. voice memos b spent three consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.K.-based Global Soul Radio charts and earned her nominations for Best Soul Female Artist and Best Soul EP at the Ground Breakin’s People’s Choice Awards, proving that her artistry resonates far beyond the United States.
Blanche J’s talent is trusted by the industry’s elite, including Grammy-nominated artist Ari Lennox, with whom she toured globally as a background vocalist on the A/S/L Tour. Her recent singles, “Now, It’s Above Me” and “LemmeGo,” highlight her ongoing commitment to creating music that uplifts, heals, and moves the soul, while staying true to her unique SoulFunk style.
At her core, Blanche J is more than a singer, she is a truth-teller through music. Her artistry examines love, faith, and human connection, reminding us that music is not just entertainment; it’s a form of healing, empowerment, and cultural storytelling. Through every note she sings, Blanche J continues to make Black history, one groove, one lyric, and one unforgettable performance at a time.
Ryan Davis
Sharp-Witted.Smart.Formidable
Ryan Davis is a comedian, writer, actor, and digital disruptor who’s redefining what it means to build a comedy career on one’s own terms. From humble beginnings in North Carolina, Davis transformed his sharp observations on culture, relationships, and everyday life into viral moments that have earned him over 1 billion views across social platforms.
What sets him apart is not just how many people see him, but how deeply they connect with him. Davis has translated his online momentum into sold-out tours, acclaimed performances, and television appearances on Insecure, Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO’s All Def Comedy, and more.
When major streaming platforms passed on his self-produced comedy special Underrated, Davis doubled down on independence, releasing it first on Patreon and recently FREE to fans on YouTube. His move cemented his reputation as a pioneer for creators taking ownership of their art and audience.
At his core, Ryan Davis is more than a comedian, he’s a truth-teller. Through humor, he examines identity, accountability, and the Black experience in America with fearless honesty and emotional depth. For Davis, making people laugh isn’t just entertainment, it’s a form of healing, connection, and cultural commentary that reminds us laughter itself can be revolutionary.
Ms. Vicki Meek
Curator. Iconic.Unapologetic
Vicki Meek is an iconic artist, celebrated curator, and cultural activist whose work has profoundly shaped the contemporary Black art scene in Texas and across the nation.
Unapologetic in her vision, Meek creates installation art that serves as powerful social commentary, sparking meaningful dialogue and encouraging reflection on the celebration of Black identity and history. Rooted in African diasporic history and spirituality, her acclaimed work is included in major collections such as the African American Museum in Dallas and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She has completed major public art commissions, including a fellowship at the Nasher Sculpture Center focused on urban historical reclamation.
As a visionary curator and administrator, including nearly 20 years as Manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center, Meek has championed and mentored countless emerging artists. Her steadfast commitment to the arts has earned her numerous accolades, most notably the 2021 Texas Artist of the Year.
Through decades of artistic innovation, mentorship, and cultural advocacy, Vicki Meek leaves a lasting legacy of creativity, resilience, and cultural excellence, inspiring new generations to engage with the transformative power of art.
Albert C. Black Jr.
Civic-Minded. Entrepreneur.Influential
Charles O’Neal
Organizer.Instigator.Tenacious
Albert C. Black, is a visionary entrepreneur and civic leader who has built a remarkable legacy in Dallas, Texas. As the current Chairman of On-Target Supplies and Logistics, a company he founded in 1982, he has been a driving force in business for decades. His influence extends far beyond the corporate world; he made history as the first African American Chairman of the Dallas Regional Chamber and has championed community health initiatives, including his instrumental role in establishing the Baylor Diabetes Health & Wellness Institute.
His lifelong dedication to service and leadership was recently honored with the naming of the Albert C. Black Jr. STEAM Academy in Dallas, which held its grand opening in 2025. The school serves as a testament to his lasting impact and commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders.
Charles O’Neal, may prefer to be referenced as a "Regular Ole' Brother," but his extensive career proves he is much more than that. He is a leading figure in business and community development, having dedicated his career to advancing the economic interests of Black-owned businesses. Appointed to spearhead the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC), he leverages his expertise in business development and strategic communications to advocate for over 350,000 Black-owned businesses across Texas.
O'Neal's leadership extends to a national level, where he serves as Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC). His deep roots in the Dallas community include a distinguished tenure as President of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and a 14-year role as Vice President for Business & Economic Development. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. business district. His two decades in the newspaper industry provide him with a unique and insightful perspective on the African American experience.
Dean Felecia Epps
Principled.Guiding.Advocate
Dean Felecia Epps, is a trailblazing legal scholar, veteran, and leader dedicated to advancing justice and education. Since 2018, she has served as Dean and Professor of Law at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, where she successfully led the school to earn ABA accreditation.
A magna cum laude graduate of Creighton University School of Law and former Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, Dean Epps rose to the rank of Major and was awarded both the Naval Achievement Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal for her service.
Her commitment to equity and access to justice carried into her civilian career as managing attorney at Georgia Legal Services Program and later as a professor and Associate Dean at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law. She also served as Dean of Florida A&M University College of Law before joining UNT Dallas.
Across every chapter of her career, Dean Epps has championed social and criminal justice, strengthened institutions, and inspired the next generation of legal minds through her service, scholarship, and leadership.
Dr. Onjaleke Brown
Academician.Passionate. Nurturing
Dr. Kimberly Riddick
Stem Advocate.Student Success Champion.Inspiring
Dionne Kirby, PHD Candidate
Bridge-builder.Versatile.Luminary
Dr. Onjaleke Brown, a lifelong educator and leader, has devoted her career to transforming schools and empowering communities through academic excellence and social-emotional learning. With experience as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in Dallas ISD, she most notably reopened N.W. Harlee as a reimagined early childhood center, creating a foundation for student success.
Today, Dr. Brown serves as superintendent and principal of St. Anthony Public Charter School, an International Baccalaureate campus in Dallas, TX, where she leads with vision, innovation, and heart. Rooted in a multigenerational family of educators, she continues to inspire students, families, and communities by championing learning environments that foster both achievement and well-being.
Dr. Kimberly C. Riddick is a transformative leader with over 15 years of experience in education and strategic partnerships. Holding a Ph.D. in Nanoengineering and an MBA, she uniquely blends her technical and business expertise to drive impactful change. As Director of Student Leadership and Success at the University of North Texas at Dallas, she spearheads programs that boost student retention and foster academic success. Dr. Riddick is a passionate advocate for STEM and educational equity, and her work includes directing the TRIO McNair Scholars Program to help first-generation students on their path to graduate school. She is dedicated to empowering students and shaping policies that create systemic change.
Dionne Kirby, PHD Candidate brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Lumin's mission of transforming education. With a solid background in teaching and extensive experience in the Dallas nonprofit sector, she is dedicated to inspiring children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
Dionne has a long career of community service and driving positive change. She taught English for six years, supported school principals in Dallas ISD’s School Leadership Department, and held leadership roles with nonprofits like Literacy Achieves and the Dallas Dinner Table. She also served as Deputy Director of an after-school arts and education program in Washington, D.C.
Dionne holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lincoln University and a master’s in Humanities from Tiffin University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change.
Dr. Jasmine Collier
Strategic.Collaborative. Purposeful
Loletha Horton, MBA
Steadfast.Composed.Community-Oriented
Dr. Jasmine Collier builds futures with precision and purpose. A strategist, growth architect, and servant leader, she reshapes the landscape of opportunity for young adults, not with flash, but with focused, intentional action. As a driving force at Year Up, she merges heart and infrastructure to expand access to careers, mentorship, and mobility for those historically left out of the room.
Her leadership is quiet but catalytic. Every move is deliberate: aligning markets, forging partnerships, and creating systems that elevate potential into power. Rooted in equity and driven by results, Dr. Collier doesn’t just scale programs, she scales people.
Carrying forward a family legacy of making history by shattering barriers, Dr. Collier’s work honors the past while boldly building new paths for the future.
Loletha Horton, MBA, a South Dallas native, has dedicated over 35 years to community service and leadership through her contributions at the Metropolitan Dallas YMCA. With a steady, purposeful, and reserved approach, she has quietly transformed countless lives by creating opportunities and nurturing growth.
Most recently, Horton led the successful reopening of the $15 million Park South YMCA, a vital hub for health, wellness, and connection in the community. Her leadership reflects a lifelong legacy of impacting people and communities through servant leadership.
Grounded in resilience and driven by deep purpose, Loletha Horton’s quiet strength and steadfast commitment continue to drive progress toward a more equitable future for South Dallas.
Jeremy Biggers
Creator.Storyteller.Alchemist
Jeremy Biggers turns vision into vibration. A multidisciplinary artist from Dallas, he fuses fine art, design, and film into one magnetic language, bold, layered, and deeply rooted in Black identity. Whether through hyperreal portraits, cinematic visuals, or large-scale murals, Biggers doesn’t just reflect culture, he remixes it, crafting work that demands you feel before you analyze.
Every stroke and frame tells a story: of beauty, vulnerability, and truth. Through his creative lens, the everyday becomes sacred, and the personal becomes universal.
“Making Black History Today” features Jeremy Biggers, a transformative force whose work isn’t just seen; it’s experienced, shifting how we witness, value, and archive Black lives.
Fran Harris
Champion.Pioneer.Disruptor
Fran Harris doesn't just play the game; she redefines it. From WNBA Champion to serial entrepreneur, she consistently shatters expectations, building her own path. Her journey is a masterclass in relentless drive and strategic vision, proving true impact extends beyond a single arena.
More than an athlete or businesswoman, Fran's a dynamic force, inspiring others to embrace their power and innovate fearlessly. She didn't just break barriers; she built new pathways for success, embodying a game-changing spirit. "Making Black History Today" features Fran Harris, whose legacy is defined by her profound influence as a trailblazing leader and unwavering advocate for self-made achievement.
Richard Miles
Catalyst.Reformer.Visionary
Richard Miles' incredible journey begins with 15 years of wrongful incarceration, yet he emerged with an unwavering commitment to redefine justice and freedom. His story isn't just about survival; it's a testament to unyielding resilience.
Founding Miles of Freedom, Richard became a powerful catalyst for empowerment, actively equipping and uplifting countless individuals and families impacted by the justice system. He didn't just overcome personal adversity; he transformed the landscape for others, embodying game-changing compassion. "Making Black History Today" features Richard Miles, whose legacy in Black history is defined by his profound hope and tireless advocacy.
Michelle Carter
Olympian. Shot Diva. Trailblazer.
Forget every stereotype about strength. Michelle Carter rewrote the playbook. Her groundbreaking Olympic gold wasn't just a win; it was a declaration, carving a new path where athletic dominance dances with undeniable feminine grace. More than an athlete, she became a cultural icon, a symbol of unapologetic power and breathtaking beauty, inspiring a generation to stand taller and shine brighter. Her impact didn't just shake the field; it redefined championship and what it means to make history with style.
She didn't just win; she transformed the landscape with her unique vision. “Making Black History Today” features Michelle Carter, whose legacy in Black history is a testament to fearless individuality and game-changing femininity that continues to resonate.