For most 15-year-olds, the biggest concern is finding a way to balance their classwork and plan for upcoming school dances, but for Heman Bekele, the biggest worry of his high school career is finding a cure for cancer.
Following the murder of George Floyd, another unarmed black man who was brutally killed by police on May 25 in Minneapolis, the #BlackLivesMatter movement once again put their boots to the ground igniting protests worldwide garnering international attention. This movement contributed to amplifying and supporting the voices and work of black entrepreneurs, leaders, and artists. One of the notable artists whose work was highlighted is Titus Kaphar, a 44-year-old painter born in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
All writers know that there is a slim chance of getting published, and becoming a bestseller is even more rare. Roxane Gay, however, has done both. Gay, 43 of Nebraska is an author, editor, essayist, professor, and columnist. She has over ten published works including fiction, non-fiction, comics, and a memoir.
Decades before he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, he was just another working-class British Pakistani man. Years before he became the first male actor of South Asian and Muslim descent to win an Emmy, he was just another brown face in the entertainment industry. Weeks before he won the SAG award for best male actor in a miniseries, his father told him it wasn’t too late to become an investment banker. But time and time again Rizwan “Riz” Ahmed, has exceeded expectations. He’s no longer the frightful teenager that had knives held at his throat because of the color of his skin. Today, he’s a cultural icon, influencing the world for the better. In fact, when he’s not in front of the camera breaking through Hollywood’s not-so-diverse glass ceiling, he’s either rapping about social justice issues or encouraging activism and philanthropy. One thing is certain. Regardless of the stereotypes he’s been subjected to Wembley, London born actor, rapper and activist Riz Ahmed has the Midas Touch.