Lawyer Henderson Hill was born in the Brooklyn neighborhood of New York City to Grady Hill, Sr. and Carmen Diaz Hill on May 17, 1956. Hill received his B.A. degree in economics from the City University of New York, Lehman College in 1977 and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1981.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Hill worked as a special litigation counselor, deputy chief of the appellate, and training director for the Public Defense Service in Washington, D.C. for ten years. In 1991, Hill became the director of the North Carolina Death Penalty Resource Center, where he worked for four years. Hill also founded and served as the director of the Center for Death Penalty Litigation (CDPL), a non-profit law office in the greater Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, for a year beginning in 1995. Hill then joined the law firm of Ferguson Stein Chambers in Charlotte as a partner in 1996. Hill held this role for fifteen years. In 2011, Hill was hired by the Federal Defenders of Western North Carolina as an executive director. Hill worked at the Federal Defenders of Western North Carolina for three years before serving as the founding executive director of the 8th Amendment Project in 2014. After receiving emeritus status at the 8th Amendment Project in 2019, Hill became the director of RedressNC, a start-up organization addressing mass incarceration, and senior counselor for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)’s Capital Punishment Project. Hill held both roles for over five years. In addition to his legal work, Hill served as an adjunct lecturer for numerous law schools such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and the Duke School of Law.

Hill founded the Charlotte Coalition for Moratorium Now (CCMN) and the Neighborhood Advocacy Center of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. After stepping down as director, Hill continued his service on the board of directors of the Center for Death Penalty Litigation.

In 2007, Hill became a fellow for the American College of Trial Lawyers. Hill received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including the Osborn Award from the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in 2014.

Henderson Hill was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on April 19, 2023.

Actress Margaret Avery was born in Mangum, Oklahoma and was raised in San Diego, California. Avery graduated from Point Loma High School in San Diego in 1961 and received her B.A. degree in education from San Francisco State University in 1965 and her M.S. degree in psychology from Phillips Graduate University in Chatsworth, California. Avery also attended the Judy Davis Voice Studio in Oakland, California, the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and the Jack Kosslyn Actors Workshop in San Francisco.

After graduating from San Francisco State University, Avery worked as a first-grade teacher at Anthony Chabot Elementary School in Oakland. In 1968, Avery moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District while she pursued her acting career. In the early 1970s, Avery performed in various commercials and plays including Revolution, Sistuhs, and Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? as the lead in 1973. In her first television movie, Steven Spielburg’s 1972 film Something Evil, Avery played the role of Irene. She also played the role of Lark in her first film, Barry Pollack’s Cool Breeze. Avery acted in numerous other movies including Ted Post’s Magnum Force with Clint Eastwood in 1973, Lee Philips’ Louis Armstrong: Chicago Style in 1976, Jeremy Kagan’s Scott Joplin in 1977, Fred Barzyk and David R. Loxton’s The Lathe of Heaven in 1980, Stephen Spielburg’s The Color Purple in 1985, Strathford Hamilton’s Blueberry Hill in 1988, Kevin Hooks’ Heat Wave in 1990, Sig Shore’s The Return of Superfly in 1990, Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns with Angela Bassett in 2008, and Dawn Wilkinson’s Block Party in 2022. On television, Avery performed in numerous series including The New Dick Van Dyke Show in 1973, The Cosby Show in 1992, Bones in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy in 2019, and Being Mary Jane in a recurring role from 2013 to 2019. Later in her career, Avery returned to the Los Angeles Unified School District as a psychotherapist.

Throughout her career, Avery received numerous awards and honors including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance for Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? in 1973, the NAACP Image Award for Best Actress for Louis Armstrong: Chicago Style, a Nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Best Actress for Scott Joplin, an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Color Purple from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1986, and an induction into the San Francisco State University Alumni Hall of Fame in 2014. Avery served as a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America.

Margaret Avery was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on March 22, 2023.

Model Beverly Johnson was born on October 13, 1952 in Buffalo, New York to Henry Leon Johnson Jr. and Glorida Ledoux Johnson. Johnson attended Bennett High School in Buffalo, New York and Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she studied criminal justice.

While attending Northeastern University, Johnson was scouted by editor in chief of Glamour magazine, Ruth Whitney, and she went on to become the first African American model to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine in 1974 and French Elle magazine in 1975. Throughout her career, Johnson appeared on over 500 magazine covers for numerous publications including Cosmopolitan, Ebony, Essence, and Glamour. In 1979, Johnson released her music own album Don’t Lose The Feeling with Buddah Records. She also appeared on numerous television series and films including Law & Order, Crossworlds in 1996, Crossroads in 2002, and the reality show, Beverly’s Full House, which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2012. Johnson has published numerous books including Beverly Johnson’s Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty through Times Books in 1981, True Beauty: Secrets of Radiant Beauty for Women of Every Age and Color through Grand Central Publishing in 1994, and The Face that Changed It All: A Memoir with Allison Samuels through Atria Books in 2015. She has also served as founder, chairwoman, and CEO of Beverly Johnson Enterprises and launched The Beverly Johnson Luxurious Lifestyle Brand.

Johnson served on the board of directors for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and as a spokesperson for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Ask4Tell4, and AIDS. In addition, she has received numerous awards and honors including a feature on the New York Times’ “20th Century’s 100 Most Influential People in the Fashion Industry” list in 2008, a Fashion Icon Award from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in 2008, a Special Recognition Award from the Black Retailers Action Group (BRAG) in 2012, the McDonald’s Black 365 Award in 2013, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation in 2014, the Voice of Courage Award from Palm Springs Women in Film and Television in 2015, and the Athena Inspiration Award from the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce in 2016. U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed Johnson as an Ambassador of Goodwill to the Fashion Industry.

Johnson resides in Rancho Mirage, California. She has one daughter, Anansa Sims, and six grandchildren.

Beverly Johnson was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on March 21, 2023.

Media executive Scott M. Mills was born on May 12, 1968 in New York City, New York, to Stephen Leroy Mills and Fern Morgan Mills. Mills received his B.S. degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1990.

After graduating from the Wharton School, Mills worked as a deputy treasurer for the City of Philadelphia and as an investment banker for the Lehman Brothers. In 1997, Mills joined Black Entertainment Television (BET) Media Group as senior vice president of business development. Mills was then promoted to the positions of executive vice president and chief officer of operations of BET Interactive, chief financial officer and president for BET Networks, and president and chief operating officer for BET Networks. Mills oversaw the launch of numerous projects at BET including BET.com, BET Mobile, BET’s digital video distribution operations, the CENTRIC channel, and the Content for Change philanthropy program. Mills then moved to Viacom in 2012, where he worked as executive vice president and chief administrative officer and was responsible for facilities and security, human resources, media technology services, real estate, and programming acquisitions. Mills returned to BET in 2018 as president and was promoted again to president and chief executive officer in 2021. At BET, Mills also created partnerships with numerous notable celebrities such as Gabrielle Union, Kenya Barris, Lee Daniels, Taraji P. Henson, and Tyler Perry. Under Mills’ direction, BET raised almost $20 million in COVID-19 relief funds for African American communities. Mills worked at BET for over twenty years and oversaw BET Networks’ programming, ad sales, digital teams, business functions, finance functions, strategic planning, and corporate research.

Mills served on the board of directors for the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Principal Financial, Inc. as lead director, the Principal Life Insurance Company, and the Lincoln Center Theater.

Throughout his career, Mills has received numerous awards and honors including the Frederick Douglass Award from the New York Urban League in 2010, an Outstanding Business Leader Honor from the Riverside Hawks in 2021, the Excellence in Leadership Award from INROADS, Inc. in 2022, and the Cultural Impact Award from the National Action Network in 2024.

Scott M. Mills was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on February 16, 2023.

Fashion designer Jeffrey Banks was born on November 3, 1955 in Washington, D.C., to Eleanor and Clarence Banks. Banks attended McKinley High School in Washington, D.C. and the Pratt Institute in New York City, New York. Banks graduated from the Parsons School of Design in New York City in 1975.

While working at the Britches of Georgetown as a high school student, Banks met fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Weeks after graduating from high school, Banks went to work in 1971 as a design assistant for Ralph Lauren. Banks was then hired as a design assistant for Calvin Klein in 1973, leaving in 1976 to complete his degree at the Parsons School of Design. In 1976, Banks was hired as a designer for Nik-Nik Clothing and Sportswear and, subsequently, he started his own design studio, Jeffrey Banks Studios, Jeffrey Banks Ltd., and Jeffrey Banks International. Banks created designs for numerous clothing companies including Alixandre Firs, Merona Sport, Bloomingdales, Johnnie Walker Scotch, Neema Clothing, Watson Brothers, and Platinum Hosiery. As a fashion consultant, Banks also worked with Haggar Clothing Company, HMX Sportswear, and Hartmarx Sportswear. In 2009, Banks joined HSN as a designer and partner. His career as a fashion designer spanned over more than four decades.

Banks also published numerous books with co-author Doria de La Chapelle that included Tartan: Romancing the Plaid in 2007, Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style in 2011, and Patricia Underwood: The Way You Wear Your Hat in 2015.

Banks served on the executive board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), as vice-chair of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and as a senior member of the board of trustees for the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

Throughout his career, Banks received numerous awards and honors including the Pratt Award for Design Excellence, the Earnie Award for Boyswear from Earlshaw’s Kids Magazine, the Coty Award for Outstanding Fur Design with Alixandre Furs from Coty, Inc. in 1975, the Coty Award for Outstanding Menswear from Coty, Inc. in 1982, and the Cutty Sark U.S. Menswear Designer of the Year Award from the Cutty Sark Men’s Fashion Awards in 1987.

Jeffrey Banks was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on February 17, 2023.

Lawyer Steven H. Wright was born on September 8, 1956 in Buffalo, New York to Ledonia Smith Wright and Sylvester Martin Wright. Wright received his B.S. degree in business administration from East Carolina University in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1978 and his J.D. degree from the Boston College Law School in Newton, Massachusetts in 1981.

After graduating from the Boston College Law School, Wright served as a law clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court before being hired as an assistant attorney general for the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General’s civil litigation bureau in 1982. In 1985, Wright moved to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, where he served as an assistant general counsel, before returning in 1987 to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office as chief of the industrial accident division in the civil litigation bureau. He was then promoted to chief of the trial division, deputy bureau chief, and assistant attorney general in 1989. In 1991, Wright was hired as a deputy counsel for New York Mayor David Dinkins, and then returned to Boston in 1994 to co-found the law firm of Chin, Wright & Branson, P.C. Wright then joined the law firm of Sherburne, Powers & Needham, P.C. in 1997 as a partner. Sherburne, Powers & Needham were then acquired by Holland & Knight LLP in 1999. Wright worked at Holland & Knight LLP for over twenty years. In 2019, Wright joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as its senior vice president and general counsel.

Wright served on numerous boards and committees including the Best Lawyers National Advisory Committee, the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, and the East Carolina University board of visitors. Wright also served as national chairperson of East Carolina University’s Ledonia S. Wright Cultural Center, director and executive committee member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association. In the legal arena, Wright has been a member of the following bar associations: the American Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. He has also served on several corporate boards including SBLI Mutual Insurance Company and Atrius Health.

Wright has received numerous honors including an Outstanding Counsel designation from the National Bar Association’s Commercial Law Section in 2009, an Outstanding Alumni Award from East Carolina University in 2011, an Outstanding African-American Role Model Award from the Boston Renaissance Charter School in 2010, the Good Guys Award from the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus in 2016, and the Cora T. Walker Award from the National Bar Association’s Commercial Law Section in 2021. He has also been featured in the following legal and business publications: Super Lawyer Magazine’s Corporate Counsel Edition in 2012 and the Boston Business Journal’s “Power 50” list in 2012 and 2014.

Steven H. Wright was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on June 13, 2023.

Librarian Tracie D. Hall was born on November 17, 1968 in Los Angeles, California to Betty Jean Scott and George Bernard Hall. Hall received her B.A. degree in law and society and her B.A. degree in African American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1991, her M.A. degree in international relations and affairs from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and her M.L.I.S. degree from the University of Washington Information School in Seattle in 2000. Hall also attended the University of Nairobi in Kenya and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

After graduating from Yale University, Hall returned to California and served at the Ocean Park Community Center. Hall also worked as a youth services coordinator at the Seattle Public Library and as a community librarian at the Hartford Public Library in Connecticut. Hall became the director of American Library Association’s Office of Diversity in Chicago, Illinois in 2003. In 2006, Hall worked as an assistant dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. That same year, she also started her own consulting firm called The Goodseed Group. She then joined the Boeing Company’s Global Corporate Citizenship Division as a strategy integration specialist in 2008 and was promoted to the position of Chicago community investor in 2011. In 2012, Hall joined the Queens Library in Queens, New York as vice president of strategy and organizational development. She then moved to the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as the deputy commissioner of arts and creative industries in 2014. Then, in 2016, she was hired as the director of the Culture Program at the Joyce Foundation. In 2020, Hall was hired by the American Library Association as its first African American female executive director. Hall returned to her alma mater, the University of Washington Information School, as a distinguished professor of practice in 2024.

Hall has served on numerous boards including the Chicago Cultural Advisory Council, the American Academy of Poets, College Unbound, the Court Theatre in Chicago, and the Crossroads Fund.

During her career, Hall has received numerous awards and honors including two Cave Canem fellowships in 1999 and 2000, the Mover and Shaker Award from the Library Journal in 2004, the Rising Star Award from Queens Metropolitan Hospitality in 2013, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation in 2022, a feature on the TIME Magazine “100 Most Influential People of 2023 list, a feature on Forbes Magazine’s “50 Over 50” list in 2023, the Public Humanities Beacon Award from the State of Illinois in 2023, and the Medal of Free Speech from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Institute in 2023.

Tracie D. Hall was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on May 1, 2023.

Nonprofit executive Stacie NC Grant was born on October 4, 1970 in Albany, New York to Neville Clarke and Fay Rhoden. She received her B.A. degree in sociology, pre-law from St. John’s University in Queens, New York in 1992. While there, Grant had also served as the founding president of the school’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. chapter.

In 1994, Grant founded C&G Enterprises, a leadership training organization, before also founding C&G Professional Event Coordinators in 1996, Destiny Designers University, a program for training faith-based entrepreneurs, in 2014, and C&G Enterprises Unlimited, LLC in 2016. That same year, Grant published Action Action Despite The Distraction: 7 Life Lessons To Thrive & Live Your Destiny Now!!. Throughout her career, Grant served as a featured spokesperson for numerous organizations including Black Women of Influence, Medgar Evers College, the New York City Department of Education, the New York Urban League, the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Sumit, the Women’s Academy of Excellence, and the Women Doing It Big Foundation.

Grant has also been active in numerous organizations including Workshop in Business Opportunities, Cambria Heights Civic Association, the African American Advisory Board for the New York City Queens District Attorney, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Achieving Leadership’s Purpose, Inc., and the JFK International Airport Redevelopment Community Advisory Council. She also served co-president of the Queens affiliate of the National Cares Mentoring Movement and president of the St. John’s College Black Alumni Association. Additionally, Grant worked as a community consultant for the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly. In 2022, Grant became the 26th international president and chief executive officer of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Throughout her career, Grant has received numerous awards including an honorary doctorate degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University in 2014, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service from President Barack Obama in 2016, the fellowship from the Most Excellent Order of International Experts in 2017, the World Civility Ambassador Award from I CHANGE NATIONS (ICN) in 2019, the InspireHER Award from the New York City Black Women’s Political Club in 2022, the Visionary of LOVE Award from Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Nu Omicron Chapter in 2022, and the Business Person of the Year Award from the Queens New York City Chamber of Commerce in 2022. She has also been featured in the following publications: Network Journal’s “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business” list in 2021 and VIP Global Magazine’s “Top 50 Women in Business” list in 2021.

Grant lives with her husband, Andrew Grant, in New York, New York. They have two sons, Josiah and Jeremy.

Stacie NC Grant was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on May 10, 2023.

Gospel singer Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams was born in Durham, North Carolina, to Hallie Martin Caesar and James “Big Jim” Caesar. After graduating from Hillside High School in 1956, Caesar attended North Carolina College in Durham where she studied business education. Caesar received her B.S. degree in business administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1984 and then attended the Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina.

Caesar began singing at ten years old, performing as “Baby Shirley” throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. She recorded her first song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” in 1951. In 1958, Caesar left North Carolina College and joined Albertina Walker’s gospel group, The Caravans. Caeser then formed her own group, the Caesar Singers, in 1966. Throughout her career, Caesar released over forty albums including Rejoice in 1980, Go in 1981, Sailin’ in 1984, Christmasing in 1986, I Remember Mama in 1989, He’s Working It Out For You in 1991, Stand Still in 1993, Shirley Caesar Live… He Will Come in 1995, Just A Word in 1996, A Miracle In Harlem in 1997, Christmas With Shirley Caesar in 1998, and You Can Make It in 2002. Caesar became the first female gospel singer to perform at the Harvard University Memorial Church in 1989. In 2015, Caesar performed alongside Aretha Franklin at the White House for U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Caesar served as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and as a pastor for Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she runs an outreach ministry.

During her long career, Caesar has received numerous awards and honors including a RIAA Gold Certification, a SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, eighteen Dove Awards, fourteen Stellar Awards, two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Gospel Artist in 1987 and 2002, an Essence Award, the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1999, inductions into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music in 2016. She was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in 2016, and twelve Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2017. Caesar also received an honorary degree from Shaw University and an honorary degree from Southeastern University.

Shirley Ann-Caesar-Williams was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on April 22, 2023.

State representative H.M. “Mickey” Michaux Jr. was born on September 4, 1930 in Durham, North Carolina to William Thomas Henry McKinley Michaux Sr. and Isadore M. Coates. Michaux received his B.S. degree in biology in 1952 from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, where he also played on the tennis team. In 1964, Michaux earned his J.D. degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

After completing his B.S. degree in 1952, Michaux enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years beginning in 1954. During this period, Michaux was also actively involved with the civil rights movement and had a friendship with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1973, Michaux was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. Michaux was then appointed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a U.S. Attorney in 1977, making him the first African American U.S. Attorney in the South since the Reconstruction era. In 1983, Michaux returned to the North Carolina House of Representatives and served until 2019, making him the longest-serving member in North Carolina House of Representatives’ history. In 2020, Michaux was appointed as a temporary senator for the North Carolina State Senate.

Michaux served as a member of North Carolina Central University’s board of trustees, national president of the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, director of the North Carolina Central University Foundation, Inc., and the fourth African American member to join the North Carolina Bar Association.

Throughout his career, Michaux received numerous awards and honors including an induction to North Carolina Central University’s Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988, the Shepard Medallion from his alma mater, North Carolina Central University in 2010, an induction into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2011, the John McNeill Smith Jr. Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Award from the North Carolina Bar Association in 2019, the Distinguished Service Award from the Cook Society at Duke University in 2020, the North Carolina Award for Public Service from the State of North Carolina in 2022, and a Black History Month Honor from the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission in 2023. In 2007, the North Carolina Central University School of Education dedicated the H.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education Building in his honor.

Michaux lives with wife, June Michaux, in Durham, North Carolina. They have two children and five grandchildren.

The Honorable H.M. “Mickey” Michaux Jr. was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on April 16, 2023, and April 22, 2023.