Mo’ne Davis
(2001-Present)

Mo’ne Davis (2001-present) Mo’ne Davis was born in Philadelphia in June 2001. She is the first female baseball player to earn a win and throw a shutout in Little League World Series history! She is also the first Little League baseball player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, while active in that league. Mo’ne Davis defies sports and gender stereotypes while showing young people how to hit home runs by simply being themselves!

Kenny Gamble
(1943 – Present)

Kenneth Gamble was born in Philadelphia in August 1943. Credited with creating the Philadelphia Soul, genre of music in the 1970s, Kenny Gamble’s Philadelphia International Records went on to write and produce tons of the city’s popular soul hits. Gamble understood that music is universal and often wrote songs centered around pride, activism, and community. He went on to found Universal Companies, a non-profit organization that manages eight charter schools in Philadelphia, furthering his commitment to community.

Quinta
Brunson
(1989-Present)

Quinta Brunson is a writer and comedian who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the creator, executive producer, writer, and star of the award-winning ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, and the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the Emmy Awards’ comedy category. She has received an Emmy and two Golden Globe awards for her work and continues to impress fans with both her acting and writing skills!

Patti LaBelle
(1944-Present)

Patricia Louise Holte was born in Philadelphia in May 1944. Most widely known as the“Godmother of Soul,” Patti LaBelle began her career as the front woman for a singing group, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. After a name change and several albums, LaBelle led the group to a whirlwind tour making them the first group to play at the Metropolitan Opera House, and the first African American vocal group to land the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. LaBelle is also often credited for introducing talented musicians like Elton John, thus spreading her influence into multiple genres of music.

Jill Scott
(1972-Present)

Jill Heather Scott was born in Philadelphia inApril 1972. Originally discovered as a spoken word artist by Philadelphia’s Questlove, Jill was invited to co-write the song “You Got Me.”This song won a Grammy and became part of Jill’s debut performance at the award show. Continuing to showcase her versatility as an artist, Jill Scott went on to perform in a production of the Broadway musical Rent. Following her love for arts education, Jill Scott established the Blues Babe Foundation, which helps pay university expenses for minority students and has donated to students in creative arts high schools.

Cecil B. Moore
(1915-1979)

Cecil Bassett Moore was born in West Virginia in 1915. He was a lawyer and activist who championed North Philadelphia’s African American community after earning his law degree from Temple University. Moore played a key role in integrating Girard College and restoring order after the 1964 Columbia AvenueRiots. He served as president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP and on the city council, preceded by Ethel D. Allen and succeeded by former mayor John Street. Moore’s lifelong commitment to the community led to Columbia Avenue being renamed in his honor (Cecil B.Moore Avenue) in 1987.

Alain Locke
(1885-1954)

Alain LeRoy Locke was born in Philadelphia in September 1885. Widely known as the “Dean”of the Harlem Renaissance, Locke is the first African American Rhodes Scholar. Locke is often credited with teaching the first courses on race relations at Howard University, which undoubtedly led to his philosophies on race as a concept influenced most strongly by society and culture. Through his writings and influence, Locke championed the idea of cultural pride, cultural pluralism, and self-expression, encouraging African Americans to embrace their heritages.

Guion Bluford, Jr.
(1942-Present)

Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr. was born in Philadelphia in November 1942. He is most widely known as the first African American astronaut to travel in space. A U.S. Air Force officer and aerospace engineer, Bluford was elected as a NASA astronaut in 1978 and flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger onAugust 30, 1983, during the STS-8 mission. He completed four spaceflights, contributing to space exploration and science. Guion Bluford,Jr. has worked to promote STEM education, particularly for Black and minority students, to increase diversity and representation in the aerospace industry.

Dr. Ethel D. Allen
(1929-1981)

Dr. Ethel D. Allen was born in Philadelphia in May 1929. She was a pioneering physician and politician, becoming the only African American and female member of the Obstetrics-Gynecology Society at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 1975, Dr. Allen made history as the first Black woman elected to the Philadelphia City Council. A respected physician, she worked in both private practice and public health, advocating for healthcare and education. Dr. Allen later served as a clinician with the Philadelphia School District. In 1982, a school was named in her honor, celebrating her significant contributions to healthcare and public service.

Ellen Powell Tiberino
(1937-1992)

Ellen Powell Tiberino was born in Philadelphia in1937. She was an influential artist celebrated for her vibrant, expressive works. Largely self-taught, she attended the PennsylvaniaAcademy of Fine Arts and became the second African American woman to win the prestigious Cresson Traveling Scholarship at just 19. Tiberino’s art, deeply rooted in African American culture and history, explored themes of identity, spirituality, and the human condition through painting, sculpture, and printmaking. After the 1985 MOVE incident, she created the sculpture The MOVE Confrontation. Committed to her community, Powell hosted workshops and art classes, fostering the growth of the West Philadelphia arts scene.

Horace Pippin
(1888-1946)

Horace Pippin was born on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in February 1888. A renowned artist known for his distinctive style, his paintings expressed his emotions and experiences, heavily influenced by his time in World War I and traditional folk art. Pippin’s work often depicted scenes of the Black experience, history, and spirituality. He gained recognition in the 1930s and became the first Black artist to be the subject of a monograph, Horace Pippin: His Art and Life. This ground breaking achievement highlighted his unique contributions to American art, cementing his place in history.

Trey Brown
(2005-Present)

Trey Brown was born in Philadelphia in December 2005. At just 15 years old, he proved that young people can make meaningful change! Brown combined his love for design and passion for community to launch SPERGO, a clothing brand that would inspire youth all over the world. Under his leadership, Spergo has gained recognition for its unique designs and collaborations, elevating the brand’s status in the fashion industry. Brown is also known for his commitment to giving back to his community, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and promoting diversity in business.

Marley Dias
(2005-Present)

Marley Dias was born in Philadelphia in January 2005. She is best known for founding the #1000 Black Girl Books campaign at just 11 years old after she noticed the lack of Black girls in the books she was reading. The campaign’s goal was to collect and donate 1,000 books featuring African American girls as protagonists. Dias went on to become an author and a powerful voice advocating for diversity and youth empowerment in literature. Marley Dias has also gone on to host and executive produce Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Netflix), where celebrities and authors read books centered around identity, respect justice and action.

Nafees Norris
(1994-Present)

Nafees Norris is a community change maker born and raised in Philadelphia. A dedicated cell culture scientist, educator, and advocate for increasing diversity in STEM fields, Nafees is the first African American to graduate with a degree in Biopharmaceutical Process Engineering.He founded Nafees Innovations LLC, where hefocuses on making science engaging andaccessible for youth through hands-onworkshops and educational programs. Passionate about mentoring students and sharing his love for science, he aims to inspire the next generation of innovators, give back to his community, and create pathways for underrepresented youth to thrive in STEM careers.