A prominent magazine geared toward young African-American women has named its top 25 most influential African-Americans who have made great strides for the black community.
Topping the list featured in Essence magazine is Sen. Barack Obama, one of the leading Democratic presidential candidates. The Illinois senator received the most votes in an online poll on Essence.com, earning him the recognition as the "Readers' Choice" for this year's most influential African-American.
"Making their voices heard on Essence.com, the overwhelmingly positive response from our 8 million readers for Senator Obama as African-American of the Year is noteworthy, as African-American women are predicted to be the tipping point for the Black vote in the 2008 election," said Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray.
In response, Obama said he was “deeply honored.”
“Michelle (Obama’s wife) and I have long admired Essence for its invaluable role in celebrating the rich talents, beauty and spirit of African American women. It means a great deal to me to have the support of my fellow Essence readers."
Also in the top 25 are "The Jena Six" and the Revs. Jesse L. Jackson and Al Sharpton. The two well-known ministers helped lead a huge civil-rights demonstration with more than 10,000 people protesting against what they considered unjust treatment of six black teenagers from Jena, La., who beat a white schoolmate last year.
"Some of the most poignant moments in African-American history took place in 2007, from the unified stance that was taken in support of the Jena Six and the Rutgers University Women's Basketball team to the triumphant victory made by Barry Bonds," said Burt-Murray.
Rutgers University’s Scarlet Knights, who were NCAA finalists, drew national support when radio host Don Imus called the basketball players "nappy-headed hos." The women’s team accepted Imus' apology in April but noted that his statements were still unacceptable. Imus' comments further drew attention to greater culture ills such as lyrics associated with mainstream rap and hip-hop music that denigrate women.
Renowned minister Bishop T.D. Jakes has also been named one of the most influential African-Americans by Essence readers. The Pentecostal preacher, who leads Dallas megachurch The Potter's House and is author of several bestselling books, recently joined the conference of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, which convened African-American leaders from all sectors last month for the first time to help end the AIDS crisis. Jakes was also recognized by Time magazine in 2001 as America's best preacher.
Others in the top 25 list include entertainer Beyonce Knowles, Oprah Winfrey, Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith, and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy who became this year the first black coach ever to win the Super Bowl.
25 Most Influential List:
• Senator Barack Obama
• Gina McCauley- Blogger, whataboutourdaughters.com
• Tyler Perry - Writer, Producer, Director
• Majora Carter - Environmentalist, Founder, Executive Director,
• Sustainable South Bronx
• Victoria Lanier- Former Youth Director, NAACP, Northeast Region
• Rev. Jesse L. Jackson - Civil Rights Activist, Minister
• Rev. Al Sharpton - Civil Rights Activist and President, National
• Action Network
• The Jena Six
• Beyonce Knowles - Singer, Songwriter, Actress
• Oprah Winfrey - Media Mogul, School Founder
• Timbaland - Music Producer, Recording Artist
• Cory A. Booker - Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
• Lovie Smith - Head Coach, NFC Champions, Chicago Bears
• Tony Dungy - Head Coach, Super Bowl Champions, Indianapolis Colts
• Deval Patrick - Governor, Massachusetts
• Don Cheadle - Actor, Activist
• Shonda Rhimes - Creator, Executive Producer, Grey's Anatomy and Private
• Practice
• Venus Williams - Tennis Champion
• Charles Rangel - Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means
• Barry Bonds - "Home Run King"
• Cynthia Tucker - Syndicated Columnist, Editorial Page Editor, Atlanta
• Journal-Constitution
• The Scarlet Knights - Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team, NCAA
• Finalists
• Kiri Davis - Filmmaker, Youth Activist
• Bishop T.D. Jakes - Founder, Senior Pastor, The Potter's House of
• Dallas
• Steve Harvey - Radio Personality, Comedian, Actor
Comments
I know I'm going against the flow here, but intellectualcurrency DID get this one right!
With that said, should these types of lists be done? I don't know....I wish we were at the point just to name 100 Most Influential AMERICANS (regardless of race and gender) but I guess we may not be ready for that.... :(
That said, I do disagree with several names on this list....where is Dr. Condoleeza Rice and Gen. Colin Powell? Not to mention former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts from Oklahoma? Being familiar with the publication that published this list, I knew the names would be of a certain "political" bent....so sad....
I didn't see any mention of a time line...is this the 25 most influential African-Americans today or throughout history?
If it's throughout history...there are numerous African-Americans who have influenced our lives through their writings, inventions, medical innovations, etc...
Here is a quick but simple education on why African Americans tend to have "the most 25 Influential African American this and that". For centuries in America and around the world, blacks were not and are not honored for their accomplishments. Essentially, they decided to honor themselves and give accolades to the citizens they determined where outstanding in their community. The trend has not stopped. You ask why? Even to this day, most white citizens will never honor a black person. In my experience with white people, primarily from America. They look at me and my successful black colleagues and think two things. (1) "How did this black person succeed with the systematic foot of consistent racism and discrimination on their back that has been primarily created, instituted and maintained by me (or my community) or (2) "This black guy is different from the rest". The first question indicates "truth". The scond question indicates "ignorance". Bottom line, we finally decided to honor ourselves rather than wait on a community that isn't interested in honoring us for the contributions to society. I wonder how many of America's wealthy family (and even middle-class) familes would be ahead today if they didn't have access to more than 200 years of free labor, legal Jim Crow, unfair housing against blacks, and worthless legislation to support the civil liberties of minorities in this country.
Barry Bonds - Roid King ( oh what a hero to all he is )
Barry Bonds....can you be influential from behind bars? Just curious....
how about the most influential hillbillys now that would be a list to behold
I like Tony Dungy, because of the way he carries himself.He and Joe Gibbs are two of the classiest guys in the NFL, regardless of race.Which begs the question, why bring race into it? Good point, zeno.
'The Scarlet Knights - Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team, NCAA'
Isn't this the girls that got whats his face thrown off the radio? How are they influential other then being a victim of a racist rant? Is the black community any better because of them? I don't see how they could be...
Next Up, the Most Influential White Men in America.. followed by calls of racism, hate and greed.
Next Month, the 25 Most Influential Latino Men In America and in our Feb. addition, the 25 most Influential Illegal Immigrant Men in America (Including addresses and phone numbers)...
Yes, I said it.