Celebrating Black History 365

Hello, Blog Nation!

It’s Black History Month 2026 and I’m here for it. Enjoy my annual list of people who’ve impacted me and the world – one to celebrate each day of February!

• Derrick Cooper, Special Education Educator My nephew is making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and I’m a proud Auntie.
• Teyana Taylor, 2026 Golden Globe’s Best Supporting Actress Winner Thanks for reminding brown sisters our dreams deserve space.
• Linda Thomas-Greenfield, 31^st United States ambassador from 2021 to 2025 Thanks for helping unite the world.
• Brad Lomax, late Black Panther and disability activist Thanks for connecting the Black Panthers with the disability movement and helping lead the 504-Sit-In which helped uphold my rights.
• Aaron Pierre, English Actor, Voice of Mufasa in The Lion King Thanks for bringing talent and beauty to the world! Wow!
• Sheinelle Jones, Cohost of The Today Show, showed the world how to prevail after tragedy in the wake of losing her husband to brain cancer.
• Shenice Sloss Tuner, newly elected Mayor of Dayton, Ohio I’m excited about her plans to improve the community!
• Douglas “Dougie” Furtick, Singer Thanks for the hit song making so many of us want to put our boots on the ground and fans in the air.
• Karla Mosley, Actress Character Dani Dupree on the soap “Beyond the Gates” is my new obsession.
• Wille Terrell Jr.-3^rd Vice Chair of Dayton NAACP, my cousin, and recipient of the John E. Moore Sr. Lifetime Leadership Award Thank you for upholding the civil rights of black people.
• Lil Wayne, Rapper, who is living with epilepsy. Thanks for helping me workout when listening to your rhymes!
• Tami Terrell, Singer Thanks for reminding us there “ain’t no mountain high enough to keep me from getting to you!”
• Alice McCollum, Probate Judge Thank you for upholding the law in Montgomery County.
• CJ Stroud, Quarterback for Houston Texans Thanks for defeating my favorite guy’s team (Pittsburg Steelers) in the playoffs!
• Megan Piphus, first black woman puppeteer on Sesame Street Thanks for bringing children joy while breaking the glass ceiling for other black female puppeteers.
• Opal Lee, Civil Rights Activist Thanks for helping in the movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
• Ryan Coogler, American Filmmaker who made Oscar history by receiving 16 nominations. I’m predicting his movie Sinners to win best film of 2026! That movie was fire!
• Andrea Dalezell, first registered nurse in history to use a wheelchair. Thanks for showing the world people with disabilities can do all things.
• Kareem Abdul-Jabarr, retired NBA player Thanks for being one of the greatest ballers of all times!
• Prince Rogers Nelson, Singer, Songwriter, Actor and Musician One of my top ten overall entertainers whose music always makes me want to dance! “Let’s go crazy!”
• Jamal Hill, Paralympian, motivated me to learn how to swim.
• Beatrice Dixon, CEO of The Honey Pot Thanks for creating female products to help women.
• Juanita Hall-Actress and singer and first African American to win a Tony Award in 1950. Thanks for being a trailblazer.
• Marla Gibbs, Actress Thanks for making me laugh as the spunky maid Florences on The Jeffersons!
• Robert Shuemak, Ohio Disability Advocate Thanks for advocating for Ohioans with disabilities and for your friendship.
• Latavia Sturdivant, Ms. Wheelchair America 2026 I’m happy to be a part of the sisterhood with this current queen.
• Jaleel White, American Actor and Game Show Host Thanks for doing an incredible job hosting the new game show, The Flip Side!
• Montell Jordan-American R&B singer, songwriter & producer Thanks for reminding the world, “THIS IS HOW WE DO IT!”

I hope you’ve enjoyed my 2026 Black History list of amazing people. I know it only represents a fraction of the influential people we could honor. Is there someone specific you’d like to add to the list? Tell us in the comments on our Facebook page, and let’s keep the celebration going!