Black History Month

Debra Austin is the first African American female dancer for the New York Ballet and is a Ballet Master and founding member of the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, NC.

Donna Cheek is the first African-American woman to join the U.S. Equestrian Team and first African-American Equestrian inducted in the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Gilda Cobb-Hunter left teaching to ensure that jobs in South Carolina would not be threatened as the state rapidly grew at the expense of rural communities.

Eboni Williams is the first African American woman to star on Real Housewives of New York and has also been a lawyer, TV anchor, and host.

Phyllis Newhouse is the first African American woman CEO to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and win Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award.

Marva Smalls is one of the most powerful executives in American business. She was Executive VP of Viacom, Inc. and has been the Executive VP and Global Head Inclusion for ViacoCBS Inc. since 2019.

Susan Taylor was editor-in-chief for Essence Magazine from 1981 to 2000 and is the founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement.

Tanya Trotter got her start as a vocalist in “Sister Act 2” and from there has had a successful music career as part of “The War and the Treaty.”