Nasir Meatchem

Nasir Meatchem, a current student who attends Cincinnati State is studying for his Associates of Arts and soon looking to transfer to the University of Cincinnati for Urban Design. Sets out to show there is nothing more normal than being oneself, by painting pictures that do just that in which display everyday feelings we tend to share amongst each other. He started drawing roughly around age 5, learning shading throughout high school he would later on venture to paintings.

Over the last two years he has gone on to be featured in local art shows such as “Artist Need Lunch Money” & “RAW”. Nasir looks to make the most out of his third year by hosting his own art show as well as attending Art Basel.

Augusta Savage

Born: Green Cove Springs, FL (1892) Died: New YorkCity (1962)

Up bringing: Born seventh of fourteen children to a father who was a poor Methodist minister who despised his daughters passion for art. Augusta would push through the whippings and harsh treatment in pursuit of her love for art.

Impact: Augusta Savage’s Career would blossom during the 1930’s during the Harlem Renaissance. She would soon be well known in Harlem as a sculptor, art teacher and community art program director.

Lois Mailou Jones

Born: Boston, Massachusetts (1905) Died: Washington, DC (1998)

Up bringing: After experiencing rejection from Boston Museum School based on her skin color. Lois went on to join the art department at Howard University teaching watercolour painting preparing her students for a competitive career in the arts

Impact: Lois work reflected the influences of African traditions. She would become a role model for African American artists who specialize in the fields of watercolor, costumes, textile designs, paintings and collages

Dorothy Height

Born: Richmond, VA (1912)

Died: Washington, D.C. (2010)

Up bringing: Dorothy Height and her family moved to Rankin, Pennsylvania where she attended racially integrated schools. In high school she would go on to be recognized for oratory on a national level

Impact: Focusing on the issues African-American women faced including unemployment, illiteracy and voter awareness. Dorothy would become known for the role she played as an American administrator and educator who worked as a civil rights and women’s rights activist

Shirley Chisholm

Born: New York City, NY (1968) Died: Ormond Beach, FL (2005)

Up bringing: Born the oldest of four to immigrant parents, Shirley being “Unbossed and Unbought” graduated from Brooklyn Girls’ High and Brooklyn College cum laude.

Impact: The first black women elected to the United Sates Congress while also representing New York’s 12th congressional district. Was an American politician, educator and author.

Marian Anderson

Born: New York City, NY (1968) Died: Ormond Beach, FL (2005)

Up bringing: Born the oldest of four to immigrant parents, Shirley being “Unbossed and Unbought” graduated from Brooklyn Girls’ High and Brooklyn College cum laude.

Impact: The first black women elected to the United Sates Congress while also representing New York’s 12th congressional district. Was an American politician, educator and author.

Naomi Sims

Born: Oxford, MS (1948) Died: Newark, NJ (2009)

Up bringing: After relocating to Pittsburgh, Naomi had no choice but to struggle in the foster system. But with determination and passion she outsourced and landed the cover of “The New York Times”.

Impact: One of the first successful black models while still in their teens to achieve worldwide recognition appearing on the covers of stature fashion and popular magazines

Little Richard

Born: Macon, Georgia (1932)

Up bringing: Forced to move out at the age 13, Richard would grow found of the church. Pursuing his passion through the church he would discover his talent to play the piano.

Impact: Established rock as a musical platform and inspired others such as the Beatles. Richard is one of the 10 original inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Betty Shabazz

Born: Pinehurst, GA (1934) Died: New York City, NY (1997)

Up bringing: Sheltered from racism by her foster parents, Betty would encounter a group of African American women who organized campaigns to support black owned businesses and boycott stores that refused to hire black employees.

Impact: An American educator and civil rights advocate. Who became influenced after experiencing her first encounter of racism.

Aaron Douglas

Born: Topeka, KS (1899) Died: Nashville, TN (1979)

Up bringing: Developing a love for art early, Aaron would graduate the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, teaching for two years before moving to New York in hopes of a better opportunity.

Impact: “New Negro Movement” Painter, Illustrator & Visual art Educator, who’s work addressed social issues within the black community.