Featured Individuals

Today’s Pioneers

Jameeca Barnes is a college student, whose parents’ marital problems have begun to affect her grades. Her parents are seeking marriage counseling from the Washington, D.C.-based Wedded Bliss Foundation, which aims to save black marriages.

James and Tina Barnes, a couple from Waldorf, Md., have been married for 21 years.  On the brink of divorce, they seek marital counseling through Nisa Muhammad’s Wedded Bliss Foundation, which is dedicated to saving and strengthening black marriages.

Jayda Barnes, the youngest Barnes daughter, participates in a school modeling competition.  Her parents, James and Tina Barnes, are contemplating a divorce but seek counseling with the Washington, D.C.-based Wedded Bliss Foundation to save their marriage.

Everett Highbaugh is a case worker with Project Choice, a support group based in Oakland, Calif., aimed at easing the transition back into society for ex-convicts.

Andrew Josey works with Everett Highbaugh at Project Choice, a support group based in Oakland, Calif., aimed at easing the transition back into society for ex-convicts.

Nisa Muhammad has made it her mission to save black marriages.  In 2006, Muhammad, once divorced herself, founded the Wedded Bliss Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based program that promotes healthy marriages for African-American families through interactive classes and counseling.

Marcus Murray is the executive director of Project Brotherhood.  Project Brotherhood is a Chicago-based program that provides free healthcare and social services to black men.

Lisa Newman, MD, is a surgeon specializing in breast cancer at the University of Michigan hospital. 
Dr. Newman travels to Ghana on a regular basis to research a cure for triple negative breast cancer,
an aggressive form of the disease that’s twice as likely to affect African-American women as
white women.

Tyler Perry, a New Orleans-native who once faced homelessness, is a successful African-American actor/director/playwright who owns a major film and television studio in Atlanta.  Perry’s movies have grossed over $370 million to date.

Dawn Spencer is a patient of Dr. Newman, who also appears in the documentary for Newman’s work treating breast cancer in African-American women.  Spencer, from Southfield, Mich., has aggressive triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer affects African-American women at a higher rate than white women.

Chris Shurn, who was featured in 2008’s Black in America, was released from San Quentin State Prison after his conviction of crack and firearm possession in 2004.  In Black in America 2, Shurn searched for a job and worked with Project Choice, a program that helps ex-convicts re-enter society.  In June 2009, he was re-arrested and faces new charges.

Bonnie “Pete” Thomas, MD, is the medical director of Project Brotherhood, a Chicago clinic that provides free healthcare and social services for African-American men.  Dr. Thomas spreads the word about his program through barbershops as part of his community outreach.

Cicely Tyson launched her acting career during the Civil Rights era. Tyson walks with CNN anchor
and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien through her Harlem neighborhood, where she is interviewed by O’Brien about facing challenges of segregation and racial barriers while breaking into the film industry.

Frank Wilson has been left immobile after a heart attack.  Without health insurance, he benefits from Project Brotherhood, a program that provides services such as free healthcare and social services to African-American men in Chicago.

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