Latest news with #NAACPLegalDefenseFund
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Blake Lively speaks of 'uplifting' others 'to live boldly' after being listed among 100 most influential people
Blake Lively has praised those who 'uplift' others to 'live boldly' after being named one of TIME's 100 most influential people of 2025. Brushing off her recent legal dramas, the 37-year-old actress spoke of the importance of being given a 'voice.' It comes amid a difficult year for the Hollywood star, who is embroiled in a nasty legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, her co-star on It Ends With Us. Blake brushed off the ongoing scandal as she took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday. She wrote: 'Thank you for the honor. I'm able to see this moment, almost looking back from the future, or looking ahead from childhood, and from every time period I can see how profound this is to me. 'Not just to be included, but to have a voice. It's a fortunate thing, when it should be a given. 'So thank you to @time and to each of you who uplift the many who live boldly, even when it's scary.' She also thanked civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill - who was head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund when Blake and her husband Ryan Reynolds gave $1 million to the organization in 2019 - for providing a glowing tribute in honor of her. 'Thank you @sherrilynifill for your words. Since the day I met you, you have shown me grace, kindness, curiosity, wisdom, strength, knowledge and the power of the female fire to illuminate in times of darkness,' she continued. 'You constantly illustrate how connected we all are and can be when division feels like the only ending. 'Thank you for your light, your fire, your work and your words.' The Gossip Girl star featured in the Titans section alongside the likes of tennis star Serena Williams, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and podcast star Joe Rogan. Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, fashion designer Miuccia Prada, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, and Palantir CEO Alex Karp also received recognition. In her testimonial, Sherrilyn hailed Blake as a 'philanthropist' and a 'serious person' who was 'committed to move this country forward'. 'I don't know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala. I never watched Gossip Girl,' Sherrilyn wrote. 'The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country's most intractable problems. She and her husband Ryan Reynolds reached out in 2019 to make a contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.' 'I'm always curious about the kind of research famous people do before they make that cold call to offer their support,' she added. 'The ones I have remained in relationship with are those who, like Blake, really did their homework.' Sherrilyn wrote that she 'admired immediately her curiosity, and her sincere work to understand the conditions that shape this country.'
Fox News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds crack jokes on Time100 carpet as they fight legal battle
NEW YORK CITY – Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds stepped out for the Time100 gala as the actors remain in the thick of their legal battle against Justin Baldoni. Lively wore a strapless pink dress with her blonde hair styled down and to the side. The "Gossip Girl" alum tied the look together with a pair of statement green earrings. Reynolds wore a classic black suit with a bow tie during the rare outing with his wife. The couple flashed big smiles as they posed for pictures on the red carpet prior to the event at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24. On the carpet, Lively said, "It's so nice without the yelling." Reynolds chimed in, "I know, right. It's so cordial." Reynolds also joked about the pair standing together, saying, "We do singles too. Don't worry. She'll leave." At one point, the press asked that Reynolds and Lively move down the carpet, and Reynolds jokingly said, "I'll f--- off. Don't worry." Prior to the event, Lively was named a "Titan" on the Time100 most influential people list, which sparked controversy online amid her legal battle with Baldoni. WATCH: BLAKE LIVELY, RYAN REYNOLDS CRACK JOKES ON TIME100 CARPET AS THEY FIGHT LEGAL BATTLE Lively and Baldoni took their filming feud to the next level by filing lawsuits against each other. The actress accused Baldoni of sexual harassment while the two filmed "It Ends With Us." The actor denied the allegations. While the two battle it out in an increasingly heated legal conflict, the "Gossip Girl" star was praised by civil rights activist Sherrilyn Ifill in the Time100 profile of the actress. "I don't know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala. I never watched 'Gossip Girl.' The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country's most intractable problems," Ifill wrote for Time. "She and her husband Ryan Reynolds reached out in 2019 to make a contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. I had been getting a few of these calls, as our work fighting against voter suppression and police brutality was receiving national attention. I'm always curious about the kind of research famous people do before they make that cold call to offer their support. The ones I have remained in relationship with are those who, like Blake, really did their homework." WATCH: BLAKE LIVELY AND RYAN REYNOLDS WALKED THE RED CARPET TOGETHER AT THE TIME100 GALA Ifill, the former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, opened up about one of the first moments she interacted with Lively. "I admired immediately her curiosity, and her sincere work to understand the conditions that shape this country," Ifill explained. "I remember an early conversation in which she expressed frustration that so much of our nation's history was not part of the instruction she had received as a student. Her commitment to filling those gaps — and becoming the most fully informed and prepared citizen — is what I appreciate most about her. Blake is a serious person. She's a risk taker. And she's committed to moving this country forward. For her children. And for mine." Many social media users were unhappy with Lively being included on the list, with many calling it a PR stunt. "Blake Lively?!?! good heavens, what did her PR team pay you to get her on that list?" one user wrote. Another added, "Blake Lively probably made the donation to the NAACP in 2019 after people found out she and her hubby were married on a plantation…" Others accepted Lively's placement on the list, believing she deserved it, with one X user writing, "another blake lively win." "Absolutely, Blake Lively's inclusion on TIME's 2025 100 Most Influential People list in the 'Titans' category is well-deserved. Sherrilyn Ifill praised her for her philanthropy and deep engagement with social issues, highlighting her as a risk-taker and informed citizen," one fan wrote in defense of the actress. "While her 2019 $2 million donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund is notable, it's part of a broader impact, not the sole reason for her recognition. Her work reflects a transformative commitment to social change." Lively sued Baldoni first for sexual harassment after the two starred together in the Colleen Hoover-adapted film "It Ends With Us." Since the premiere of the movie in August, Lively has also accused Baldoni of participating in a deliberate smear campaign to ruin her reputation. Baldoni later accused Lively of tormenting him, his family and colleagues in a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York in January. Baldoni's legal team claimed Lively has no evidence of a deliberate smear campaign and instead worked to repair her reputation by accusing the actor and others of sexual harassment. Reynolds is also named in Baldoni's lawsuit against Lively. In documents related to the case, the "Deadpool" actor is accused of of "defamation, false light invasion of privacy, tortious interference, and civil extortion," and is referred to as a "co-conspirator." Lively and Baldoni's back-and-forth legal battle seemingly has no end in sight. After they filed their respective lawsuits against each other, the two have shown no signs of settling outside of court.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Blake Lively awarded 'Time100 Most Influential People' amidst Justin Baldoni lawsuits; netizens say 'She has no influence'
Blake Lively 's appearance with husband Ryan Reynolds at the 2024 Time100 Gala sparked a wave of controversy, as the actress was honoured as one of magazine's Most Influential People — even as she faces a highly publicised $400 million with actor-director Justin Baldoni . The Gossip Girl alum, walked the red carpet at the New York City event in a striking off-the-shoulder Zuhair Murad gown, accompanied by Ryan, and her mother, Elaine Lively. Lively's recognition comes on the heels of her being praised for her philanthropic work. Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, who contributed a tribute to the list, described her as 'a student of our country's most intractable problems' and highlighted the couple's 2019 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo However, not everyone agreed with the choice. Her inclusion drew sharp criticism online, largely due to the ongoing legal dispute with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Though the trial is not set to begin until March 2026, some internet users cited that just as Justin had to return some of his awards based on mere allegations by the actress, she should do the same. One trolled her for the reason why she was being honoured, saying in a tweet, "Blake Lively, according to Time, is one of the most influential people of 2025. Because she gave money to the NAACP. 'Blake is a serious person. She's a risk taker. And she's committed to moving this country forward'." "Blake Lively is not 'influential' – she's a manipulative, conniving bully,' read one post on X. Another tweeted, 'Only in Hollywood can being a liar land you on a 'Most Influential' list.' Another said, "Can't believe Time Magazine is honouring these scammers tonight… and we just found out about their fake lawsuit malfeasance—only narcissists like Blake Lively and Ryan would proudly show their faces like this." Political commentator Megyn Kelly also took aim at Lively on the red carpet, telling Daily Mail, 'It's a ridiculous joke. She shouldn't be here. She has no influence over anything.' Kelly went on to allege that Lively had 'launched a fake MeToo allegation' against Baldoni, claiming many of the actress's assertions have since 'fallen apart.' 'It's a scandal,' Kelly said. 'To try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing and then be honoured for it? It sends the wrong message.' Best Hindi Movies | Best Tamil Movies | Best Telugu Movies | Best english Movies | Best Malayalam Movies |
News.com.au
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Blake Lively rocks strapless gown for date night with Ryan Reynolds at Time100 gala
Spotted at the Time100 gala. Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, 37, made an appearance on the red carpet at the annual event in New York City, looking chic in a fuchsia Zuhair Murad off-the-shoulder gown. The actress, who was honoured as one of the 'Most Influential People in the World' in this year's Time100 list, was highlighted for contributing to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which fights racial injustice. On the accessories front, Lively oozed glamour in Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings, cuffs and jade rings. She styled her trademark wavy blond hair in an old Hollywood look while stunning in peach-coloured makeup. The Blake Brown Beauty founder was accompanied by her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, 48, who wore a black suit and bow tie, and mum, Elaine Lively, who wore a sparkly dress. Other honorees at the event included Serena Williams, Snoop Dogg and Nikki Glaser, with others, including Reynolds and Meghan Markle, speaking at the Time100 Summit on Wednesday. Lively expressed her enthusiasm about scoring a spot on this year's list via an Instagram post last week. 'It's an honour to be acknowledged on the @time100 list for 2025,' the A-lister wrote in the caption. 'To be written about by the great @sherrilynifill is not something I take lightly,' she added, referring to the writer of her Time spotlight, which was written by Sherrilyn Ifill. Elsewhere in the caption, Lively described the accolade as one of the most 'surreal and meaningful moments' of her life. 'My 10 year old self is pretty blown away right now.' Lively concluded. Friends seem to think the honour was much deserved. Paul Feig, the director of A Simple Favor, wrote, 'This is the Blake I know too. Love you, my friend.' However, others weren't as thrilled by her making the list, especially amid her drama-filled legal battle with It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni. After the magazine revealed this year's most influential people, many were surprised to see her name included with other stars like Moore and Snoop Dogg.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
21 Black Leaders Who Shaped History
Late Pope Francis and U.S. President Barack Obama talk in the Oval Office during the arrival ... More ceremony at the White House. America has always been shaped by Black resistance, Black vision and Black leadership. From courthouses to study halls and pulpits to Senate floors, Black leaders have changed the world's vision about what access to justice looks like in real time. This list doesn't focus on who came first or who had the biggest platform and the numbers don't rank them, because every name here moved the country forward in their way. Some are household names, others were left out of the spotlight. But all of them changed history. Field: Law and Justice Thurgood Marshall was the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in a historic moment that marked the integration of the nation's highest court. But long before he wore the black robe, Marshall built a reputation as a rigorous legal strategist for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He argued 32 cases before the Supreme Court, winning 29, a staggering record that included the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Marshall understood that laws shape lives, and he used the Constitution as both sword and shield to protect Black Americans from state-sanctioned discrimination. His courtroom victories dismantled pieces of Jim Crow brick by brick, setting the legal precedent for broader civil rights gains in the 1960s. On the bench, he continued to advocate for civil liberties, often standing as the court's conscience on issues of racial justice, workers' rights and the death penalty. Marshall's legacy shapes his work as symbolic of what could be achieved when Black brilliance met institutional power. His legacy continues in every courtroom fight for equality, and in every Black child who sees themselves reflected in places once designed to exclude them. NAACP Chief Counsel Thurgood Marshall in front of the Supreme Court where he made a last-ditch ... More appeal that would permit African American children to reenter Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Legal resources expressed belief there was little chance the move would succeed. Field: Politics In 1968, Shirley Chisholm made history as the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, representing New York's 12th District with a fearless, incisive and unyielding voice. But she didn't stop there. In 1972, she launched a bid for the presidency, becoming the first Black woman to seek the nomination of a major political party. Her campaign, run on the bold slogan 'Unbought and Unbossed,' was one of a kind that ignored tokenism for transformation. Chisholm's candidacy challenged the entire political establishment. She ran not just as a symbol, but as a serious contender, openly confronting racism, sexism and political gatekeeping. Though she didn't win the nomination, she won something deeper: she showed millions what was possible. During her seven terms in Congress, she fought tirelessly for marginalized communities, championing education, labor rights, healthcare and poverty legislation. She was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus, building lasting infrastructure for change. Chisholm's life made clear that being the 'first' was about breaking through so others could follow. Field: Journalism and Anti-Lynching Activism Born into slavery in 1862 in Mississippi, Ida B. Wells became one of the most fearless disruptors of her time. As a journalist, she launched an unrelenting crusade against the lynching of Black Americans, exposing it not as frontier justice, but as state-sanctioned racial terror used to uphold white supremacy. She co-owned and edited the Memphis Free Speech newspaper, where her fiery editorials drew national attention and violent backlash. White mobs destroyed her press, forcing her into exile. But Wells refused to be silenced. She documented lynchings with meticulous research and unflinching clarity, laying the groundwork for investigative journalism as a tool of justice. She was also a suffragist, co-founder of the NAACP and lifelong advocate for civil rights. In 2020, she was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize, more than a century after her truth made the powerful uncomfortable and the oppressed seen. Portrait of Civil rights Leader, journalist, and one of the the Founders of the National Association ... More for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Ida B Wells-Barnett (1862-1931), Chicago, Illinois, 1893. Sallie E. Garrity. Field: Academia and Political Thought William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a towering intellectual force who never separated scholarship from struggle. As the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard, Du Bois viewed education and data as tools that could be used against racial injustice. His 1903 classic, The Souls of Black Folk, introduced the world to the concept of 'double consciousness,' the psychological tension of being Black and American in a society built to deny both. As a co-founder of the NAACP in 1909, Du Bois combined journalism, activism and historical analysis to challenge white supremacy from every angle. He believed the fight for Black liberation required political organizing and cultural pride. Toward the end of his life, frustrated by the limits of U.S. progress, he moved to Ghana and renounced his American citizenship. Still, his legacy remains deeply American: a challenge to live up to the country's ideals by confronting its truths. Field: Revolutionary Organizing Huey P. Newton symbolized Black resistance, who leveraged strategy and community power. In 1966, alongside Bobby Seale, he co-founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California, aiming to protect Black neighborhoods from police brutality and to empower them through direct action. The Panthers weren't just about carrying rifles; they fed children, ran health clinics and educated communities when the government would not. Newton's philosophy blended Marxist theory, Black nationalism and anti-imperialism into a unique vision for liberation. The FBI's COINTELPRO heavily targeted him, and his struggles with addiction and state repression complicated his later years. Still, Newton's legacy lives on in the ongoing debates about community safety, mutual aid and the right to self-defense in the face of systemic violence. Field: Education and Public Service Mary McLeod Bethune turned a vision into a legacy by proving that education could be the foundation of freedom. Born in 1875 to formerly enslaved parents in South Carolina, she believed literacy was the key to liberation. With just five dollars and a few students, she founded Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, one of the nation's most prominent HBCUs. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom. As a close advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she served as the highest-ranking Black woman in the federal government. She founded the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune used every tool, including organizing, policymaking and speechmaking, to fight for equal education, voting rights and gender equity. Her will, a poetic list of values passed down to future generations, still circulates today as a manifesto of Black dignity and hope. Field: Abolition and Women's Rights Sojourner Truth was born enslaved in 1797, but she spent her life making sure no one could ignore her truth. After escaping slavery with her infant daughter in 1826, she became a traveling preacher and electrifying orator. Her most famous speech, 'Ain't I a Woman?' delivered in 1851 at a women's rights convention, dismantled the racist and sexist arguments used to exclude Black women from feminist and abolitionist circles. Truth spoke with fire and moral force, advocating for the rights of the enslaved, people with low incomes and women in a nation not yet ready to see them as fully human. She also fought for land rights and reparations for freed people after the Civil War, well before those conversations became part of national discourse. Truth's name was prophetic, and she forced the nation to confront its contradictions and listen to the voices it tried to silence. Field: Military Benjamin O. Davis Sr. broke military barriers when he became the first Black general in the U.S. Army in 1940, a symbolic victory in a military still governed by segregation. Over his nearly five decades of service, Davis navigated the contradiction of serving a country that did not grant full citizenship to Black people. He led with integrity, proving that excellence was not the exception but the expectation. His leadership helped lay the groundwork for integrating the armed forces, which President Truman ordered in 1948. Davis's legacy paved the way for his son, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who became the commander of the Tuskegee Airmen. Together, their lives told a story of discipline, dignity and defiance in uniform. Field: Science and Space When Mae Jemison boarded the Endeavour in 1992, she didn't just become the first Black woman in space; she redefined the possibilities of Black achievement in science. A physician, engineer and multilingual dancer, Jemison shattered stereotypes in multiple fields before ever stepping onto a launchpad. She later founded The Jemison Group and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, promoting science education and innovation in underserved communities. Jemison also served as a role model on screen, appearing in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and used her platform to argue that inclusion in STEM revolved around both access and imagination. Her presence in space told generations of Black girls: this universe includes you, too. Field: Politics In 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. His campaign, built on hope, change and grassroots momentum, mobilized millions and shattered centuries of racial exclusion from the nation's highest seat of power. A constitutional scholar and former community organizer, Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, repealed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and ordered the killing of Osama bin Laden. But outside of policy, his presidency was a symbol of possibility, especially for young Black Americans. His presence in the Oval Office didn't end racism, but it changed forever who could sit in the chair. Field: Public Health, Education and Cultural Leadership As the first Black First Lady, Michelle Obama redefined the role with intelligence, grace and substance. A lawyer and Princeton- and Harvard-educated professional in her own right, she launched national initiatives like 'Let's Move!' to combat childhood obesity, 'Reach Higher' to promote education, and 'Let Girls Learn' to support global education for young women. Through her bestselling memoir Becoming and wildly successful book tours, she inspired millions to own their stories. Michelle Obama has become one of the most trusted voices in American public life, offering visibility, relatability and a bold message: a person's background doesn't limit their impact. Former US First Lady Michelle Obama arrives to speak on the second day of the Democratic National ... More Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Field: Politics and Law In 2020, Kamala Harris became the first Black, first South Asian and first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States. As a former U.S. senator and attorney general of California, Harris built her career in public service with a focus on civil rights, consumer protection and criminal justice reform. Her historic election was both historic and seismic and her presence in the White House cracked multiple glass ceilings at once and redefined the future of American political leadership. Whether leading pandemic recovery efforts or standing in global diplomatic forums, Harris continues to represent a bold shift in power and possibility. Though Harris's 2024 presidential bid was ultimately unsuccessful, her campaign created a turning point that came with serious conversations around American politics. Field: Black Nationalism & Human Rights Before the world recognized him as Malcolm X, he was Malcolm Little, shaped by poverty, racial violence and the prison system. Through discipline, study and transformation, he became a minister in the Nation of Islam and a bold voice for Black self-determination. He rejected respectability politics and told the truth without softening the blow. Later in life, he expanded his global view, broke with the NOI, and began advocating for Pan-African unity and human rights on the world stage. His evolution was ongoing until it was cut short in 1965. Even now, his insistence on Black pride, dignity and power resonates with those who believe freedom can't be begged for, but must be built. Field: Abolitionist Theory & Academia As a scholar, author and former political prisoner, Angela Davis didn't ask for attention, but she demanded justice for those who were marginalized. Davis spent decades pushing the conversation beyond surface-level reform and did everything from critiquing the prison system to fighting racial and gender oppression. Her ideas about prison abolition and intersectional justice were radical when she started, but now they're central to mainstream debates. Through her work, Davis has helped shift not just what we fight, but how we imagine freedom. Thanks to her lectures, books and grassroots organizing, she's helped redefine what liberation can look like, which is not just inclusion in broken systems but the transformation of those systems altogether. Today, her vision still guides movements fighting mass incarceration, police violence and systemic inequality around the world. Field: Revolutionary Organizing At 21, Fred Hampton led the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and built the original Rainbow Coalition, aligning poor Black, Latino and white communities against systemic inequality. He spoke with power, clarity and conviction, delivering speeches that moved crowds and scared officials. Under his leadership, the Panthers launched free breakfast programs, community health clinics, education initiatives and political education classes that directly served the people the government overlooked. His ability to organize across race, class and ideology terrified the state, which saw his growing influence as a threat to the status quo. That's why he was killed in his sleep during a 1969 FBI-led raid, orchestrated in coordination with the Chicago Police Department. But Hampton left behind a model for what it means to lead with both revolutionary fire and grassroots love. His legacy lives on in every mutual aid program, every radical coalition and every generation that refuses to let justice be delayed. Field: Community Organizing Ella Baker believed movements should be built from the ground up, not from behind a podium. As a longtime strategist and organizer, she worked with the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and helped launch the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Baker believed in grassroots power and rejected the idea of charismatic, top-down leadership, famously saying, 'Strong people don't need strong leaders.' She mentored young organizers who would later shape the Civil Rights Movement in their own right, and she quietly redefined what leadership could look like: not spotlight-driven, but sustained and collective. Baker's organizing model laid the foundation for future decentralized movements, from Black Power to Black Lives Matter. Her legacy isn't tied to one speech or moment; it's in the thousands of people she empowered to fight for their freedom. Field: Voting Rights Fannie Lou Hamer knew the price of speaking truth in the Deep South. A sharecropper turned powerhouse activist, she put her life on the line to demand that Black people have the right to vote and be counted. In 1962, she was fired and beaten for attempting to register to vote. Two years later, as co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, she testified before the Democratic National Convention, detailing the abuse she endured just for trying to exercise a constitutional right. Her televised testimony shocked the nation and exposed the violent reality of Jim Crow. She didn't speak like a politician but spoke like someone who had lived it. That authenticity and her steady moral compass made her one of the most respected voices in the movement. Hamer reminded the country that democracy doesn't work if it only serves the powerful. And she proved that even without formal education or political backing, one voice can shake the system. Field: Civil Rights Before her name was widely known, Claudette Colvin made history as a teenager who refused to give in. In March 1955, at just 15 years old, she defied a segregated bus system in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks would do the same. Arrested and forcibly removed from the bus, Colvin's bold act was fueled by her classroom lessons on Black history and a deep sense of justice. Despite her bravery, she was pushed to the margins of the movement due to her age, working-class background and later, her pregnancy. Regardless, she became a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the court case that ultimately struck down bus segregation. Colvin's story challenges the idea that only certain people get to make history. She wasn't the "perfect" symbol, but she was a fighter. And her early act of resistance helped legally dismantle one of the most visible forms of Southern segregation. Black and white photo of Claudette Colvin. Field: Civil Rights Strategy Bayard Rustin was the tactical genius behind many of the Civil Rights Movement's most pivotal moments. A Quaker, pacifist and lifelong advocate of nonviolent resistance, Rustin was the lead organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. This logistical feat brought over 250,000 people to the nation's capital and gave a global stage to Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech. But Rustin's role was often downplayed. He was openly gay in a homophobic era and had past ties to socialism, facts that many civil rights leaders saw as political liabilities. Still, Rustin was resolute. He mentored King, introduced him to Gandhian principles of nonviolence, and served as a behind-the-scenes architect of some of the movement's most effective campaigns. Later in life, Rustin also became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and global human rights. His story is a testament to how transformative leadership doesn't always live in the spotlight, and how true visionaries work whether or not they get the credit. Field: Activism & Policy Reform As a former school administrator turned activist, DeRay Mckesson became one of the most recognizable voices in the fight against police violence. He used social media to document protests in real time, connect movements across cities, and create a digital front line. His tweets from Ferguson after the killing of Michael Brown were seen by millions, helping to mobilize a new generation of organizers and turn local outrage into a national movement. The momentum of his work helped McKesson co-found Campaign Zero in 2015, a data-driven policy platform that offers concrete solutions to end police brutality and reform public safety systems. His activism sits at the intersection of technology, narrative and public policy. Whether on the streets, in front of a camera, or inside a city council chamber, McKesson represents a new generation of Black leadership that is raw, unapologetic, informed and willing to take the fight wherever it needs to go. Field: Civil Rights & Moral LeadershipMartin Luther King Jr. was more than a dreamer, he was a strategic, moral and important force in one of the most consequential social movements in U.S. history. As a Baptist minister and theologian, King brought nonviolent resistance to the center of the Civil Rights Movement, combining the teachings of Gandhi with the urgency of Black liberation. He led key campaigns across the South, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Birmingham protests, and delivered some of the most iconic speeches of the 20th century, including 'I Have a Dream,' which moved a nation and inspired the world. But King was surveilled, arrested and ultimately assassinated for challenging not just racism, but militarism and economic inequality. In his later years, he focused on the interconnected struggles of poverty and war, launching the Poor People's Campaign to build a multiracial movement for economic justice.
