Creative Inspiration
Below are the names of the artists, advocates, luminaries and visionaries whose creative works inspired me over the years.
Journalists
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Jazmine Hughes – Writer and editor known for her work at The New York Times
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Nikole Hannah-Jones – Investigative journalist behind The 1619 Project
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Ayesha Rascoe – NPR journalist covering politics and culture
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Tyler Brooks – Photojournalist
Poets & Spoken Word Activists
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Rudy Francisco – Acclaimed spoken word poet
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Ayanna Gay – Rising voice in performance poetry
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Amanda Gorman – Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of the United States
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Javon Johnson – Scholar and spoken word performer
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Porsha Olayiwola – Poet Laureate of Boston
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Ebony Stewart – Poet and mental health advocate
Authors & Literary Figures
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Michael Arceneaux – Essayist and author of I Can’t Date Jesus
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Marquis Brown – Author of The Feeling of Finding Home
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Octavia Butler – Pioneer of Afro-futurism in science fiction
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Ta-Nehisi Coates – Journalist and author of Between the World and Me
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Khaled Hosseini – Author of The Kite Runner
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Honorée Jeffers – Poet and novelist
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Mika Nygren – Contemporary writer and professor
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Nichole Perkins – Writer and pop culture critic
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Neal Shusterman – Author of speculative fiction
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Clint Smith – Historian and poet
Activists & Scholars
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Stacey Abrams – Politician and voting rights advocate
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Patrisse Cullors – Co-founder of Black Lives Matter
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Jessica Johnson – Merit and Achievement Scholar
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Carmen Kynard – Educator and activist
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Benjamin Mays – Civil rights leader and mentor to Dr. King
Musicians & Cultural Innovators
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Kevin Abstract – Artist and member of Brockhampton
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Helen Adu (Sade) – Legendary singer-songwriter
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Denzel Baptiste – Producer and musician
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Swizz Beatz – Hip-hop producer and entrepreneur
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Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) – Multidisciplinary artist
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David Hynes (Blood Orange) – Musician and producer
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Kourtney Iman – Emerging artist
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Alicia Keys – Singer, songwriter, and activist
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Steve Lacy – Guitarist and singer-songwriter