COMMUNITY RECOGNITION · A DECADE OF US
For the people whose everyday work makes more room for Black joy. Celebrate the leaders already building a stronger community.
HELP US HONOR THE PEOPLE. GIVE THEM THEIR FLOWERS.
HELP US HONOR THE PEOPLE. GIVE THEM THEIR FLOWERS.
HELP US HONOR THE PEOPLE.
Help celebrate the people building a stronger community.
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2026
2026 Black Joy Parade Icons Among Us Celebration
Dr. Brandon Nicholson
CEO, Hidden Genius Project
Amelia Ashley-Ward
Publisher, The Sun Reporter
Faye Carol
Founder, The School of the Get Down
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2025
Joyce Gordon
Founder, Joyce Gordon Gallery
Gigi R. Crowder
CEO, NAMI Contra Costa
Tyrone Stevenson Jr. (Champ)
Founder and CEO, Original Scraper Bike Team
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2024
Donald Frazier
CEO, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) | Executive Director, Reentry Providers Association of America
Jameelah Hanif
CEO, Watch Me Grow
Shelene Huey-Booker
Founder / Executive Director, Youth Utilizing Power and Praise Organization
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2023
Antoine Hunter
Founder / Director, Urban Jazz Dance Company
Dr. Angela Wellman
Founding Director, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music
Chef Mimi
Founder, The Black Food and Wine Experience
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2022
Adamaka Ajaelo
Founding Executive Director - Self Estem
LaNiece Jones
Executive Director - Peralta Colleges Foundation
Milan R Balinton
Executive Director, African American Community Service Agency
MEET OUR ICONS
CLASS OF 2021
Ben McBride
CEO, Empower Initiative
Cathy Diane Adams
President & CEO - Oakland African America Chamber of Commerce
Maurice Woods
Executive Director & Founder, Inneract Project