Present

• Present
• Present

  Politics - General William E. "Kip"
  WardWard is the first officer to hold the position of Commander, U.S. Africa Command. While Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, US Army Europe and Seventh Army, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice elected him as the United States Security Coordinator, Israel - Palestinian Authority. He held that position from March to December 2005. (Photo: Caleb Jones, AP)

• Present

  Politics - Senator Barack Obama
  The presidential hopeful, whose first name means "Blessed" in Hebrew, is currently the only African-American in the U.S. Senate. (Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images)

• Present

  Sciences - Lonnie Johnson
  The nuclear and mechanical engineer invented the Super Soaker water gun, which has grossed over $200 million in sales since 1990. (Photo: John Bazemore, AP)

• Present

  Fashionistas - Andre Leon Talley
  As Editor-At-Large at glossy fashion bible, VOGUE, Andre Leon Talley is the most recognized Black man in fashion. Talley has used his influence to promote some of fashion's newest stars and his influence to critique designers for the lack of models of color on the runway. Last year, he curated a retrospective of Oscar fashion exhibited during the Academy Awards; he authored 'A.L.T.: A Memoir' and 'A.L.T.:365 ' and was the inspiration behind the Academy Award-nominated 'The Devil Wear Prada' character, Nigel. (Photo: Francois Durand, Getty Images)

• Present

  Models - Naomi Campbell
  Known for her athletic body and confident, always-imitated-never-duplicated stride, Campbell was one of the original members of the "supermodel" era in the early 1990s, becoming the first Black woman to appear on Vogue UK, Vogue Paris, Vogue Nippon and Time magazines. She's appeared on over 500 magazine covers, and released an album, two books and fragrances, appeared in film and television and championed great causes. She is currently writing for British GQ and in 2007, began scouting models in Kenya to open an agency there. (Photo: Francois Durand, Getty Images)

• Present

  Designer - Tracy Reese
  Detroit native Tracy Reese is ranked as one of the most successful fashion designers today. The Parsons School of Design graduate launched her namesake ultra-feminine and vintage-inspired line initially at age 23, and then its sister line, Plenty in 2002. Reese now offers footwear, accessories and Plenty Home. With a flagship store in New York City's ultra-hip Meatpacking District and presently offering her tenth anniversary collection, it is no surprise that Reese is considered one of the best American designers today. (Photo: AOL)

• Present

  Fashion Entrepreneur - Edward Wilkerson
  Lafayette 148 New York's Design Director Edward Wilkerson is an avid traveler and passionate photographer. The former designer for Anne Klein, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan joined Lafayette 148 in 1998. Wilkerson's direction has led the designer's bridge line, (sizes 0-24) to become one of the top brands at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. His travels continue to infuse a global aesthetic into the collection. The company's offices and his home are often featured in design magazines. (Photo: Hal Horowitz, WireImage.com)

• Present

  Model-Preneur - Tyra Banks
  As a model, Tyra Banks was the first African-American on the covers of GQ, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and the Victoria's Secret catalogue. Banks retired walking their runway show shortlyafter debuting her talk show in 2005. Two years before, Banks was the creator, executive producer and host of 'America's Next Top Model,' a Daytime Emmy Award-winning TV Show. After being listed twice in TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People, (one out of 4 African-Americans to do so) she's proven to be an unstoppable force. (Photo: Scott Gries, Getty Images)

Black History Month 2008

Black History Month

• Black History Month

  Film, Sydney Poitier
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• Black History Month

  Film, Ethel Waters
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• Black History Month

  Film, Melvin Van Peebles
  (Sony Pictures Classics)

• Black History Month

  Dance, Katherine Dunham
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• Black History Month

  TV, Bill Cosby
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• Black History Month

  Art, Jean-Michel-Basquiat
  (AP)

• Black History Month

  Models, Beverly Johnson
  Beverly Johnson was the first Black model on the cover of VOGUE in 1974 after appearing first on GLAMOUR's cover in 1971. Johnson graced GLAMOUR's cover six more times within the next two years -- their circulation doubled after her first time. Coined the "supergirl next door," she reappeared on VOGUE's cover in 1975. As the first to also appear on the cover of French ELLE, Johnson later became an actress and singer and was honored by Oprah Winfreyin her LegendsBall special for her success. (Ron Galella, Ltd., WireImage.com)

• Black History Month

  Model, Iman
  
  Iman was one of the first models to be successful in both print and runway in the 1970s and 1980s. After retiring from modeling, she launched a cosmetics line in 1994 to offer better make up options to women of color. She has also teamed up with Missy Elliott to create the Misdemeanor lipstick to benefit a non profit against domestic violence and is currently featured the 'Save a Child' campaign against HIV and AIDS. The Somalian-born beauty recently expanded her empire by launching an accessories and jewelry line. (Reuters)

• Black History Month

  Fashionistas, Dianna Ross
  Diana Ross has always wowed style watchers with her triumphant style. The singer and actresses' signature bouffant hair and body hugging, fashion-forward ensembles remain en vogue today. The Golden Globe winning,Oscar-nominated diva performed at the Costume Institute's Goddess exhibit for the cognoscenti in 2003 wearing a custom Gucci dress; she was featured in a MAC ad campaign in 2005 and, of course, was inspiration for Beyonce's character in the Academy Award-winning film Dreamgirls. (Getty Images)

• Black History Month

  Designer, Patrick Kelly
  In the 1980s, iconic fashion designer Patrick Kelly launched a bold, colorful collection inspired by his Southern roots and often incorporated controversial messages into his designs to address racism. His clothing was such a hit that the Mississippi native became the first American to be inducted into the prestigious Chambre Syndicale, an elite organization for French designers. Since his death in 1990, Kelly's collection is still celebrated through exhibitions around the world. (Julio Donoso, Corbis)

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., (1929 - 1968), addresses crowds during the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., where he gave his 'I Have A Dream' speech. (Central Press/Getty Images)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King gestures and shouts to his congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. on April 30, 1967 as he urges America to repent and abandon what he called its "tragic, reckless adventure in Vietnam." (AP Photo)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King is pictured at an integration rally in Montgomery, Ala., May 21, 1961. (AP Photo/Horace Cort)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King is embraced by his wife, Coretta Scott King, during a news conference at Harlem Hospital in New York. The Sept. 30, 1958 file photo was taken as he recovered from a stab wound following an attack by a woman. (AP)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King displays his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize medal in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 1964. King was honored for promoting the principle of non-violence in the civil rights movement. (AP Photo)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King sits for a police mug shot after his arrest for directing a city-wide boycott of segregated buses. (Photo by Don Cravens/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  The Rev. Ralph Abernathy, right, and Bishop Julian Smith, left, flank King during a civil rights march in Memphis, Tenn., on March 28, 1968. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell)

• Martin Luther King Jr.

  King and Malcolm X smile for photographers on March 26, 1964, in Washington D.C. They shook hands after King announced plans for "direct action" protests if Southern senators filibustered against the civil rights bill. (AP Photo/Henry Griffin)