Media Partner
Icons Among Us
Black Joy Parade is teaming up with Comcast to recognize activists icons yet to be crowned.
Upon selection, Icons will receive a $5,000 contribution to a nonprofit of their choice to recognize their commitment and contribution to creating more space for Black joy to thrive.
NOMINATION
CRITERIA
To be eligible, nominees must be
Primarily based in the 9 Bay Area counties
Engaged in social equity work elevating the community for at least 7 years
Work must be tied to an official organization (preferably a nonprofit but not mandatory) in good standing and primarily focus on benefiting the Black community
PAST YEAR’S ICONS
MEET OUR ICONS
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
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
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
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
2021
Ben McBride
CEO, Empower Initiative
Cathy Diane Adams
President & CEO - Oakland African America Chamber of Commerce
Maurice Woods
Executive Director & Founder, Inneract Project