Visionaries
Learn about leaders, change-makers, artists, athletes and activists who've had a lasting impact on American culture.
It requires a combination of incredible imagination and wisdom to see what’s possible in the world. Furthermore, it requires great courage to pursue those possibilities and manifest their reality. Below are just a few of the great visionaries who have embodied these qualities and left a legacy of a better world for all.
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Cecilia Chung
Cecilia Chung is a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, known for her unwavering commitment to social justice and equality. Born on June 21, 1969, in Hong Kong, her journey from a tumultuous childhood to becoming a respected advocate is a testament to her resilience and determination.
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Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma, a name synonymous with brilliance and virtuosity, has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional talent and profound musicality.
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Margaret Cho
In the realm of comedy and advocacy, few have left a more significant mark than Margaret Cho. From her early life marked by struggles to her fearless approach to challenging societal norms, Cho’s journey is a testament to the power of humor and the importance of self-advocacy.
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Amanda Nguyen
Amanda Nguyen, a prominent figure in the AAPI community, was born on July 1, 1991, in Washington, D.C., to Vietnamese parents who had immigrated to the United States. Growing up, Amanda experienced the rich tapestry of the AAPI culture, which strongly influenced her sense of identity and her commitment to social justice.
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Eric Yuan
In the ever-changing world of technology, Eric S. Yuan’s name stands tall as an innovator and trailblazer.
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Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee broke down barriers for Asian American representation in Hollywood with his renowned martial arts and his highly prolific acting career.
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
From his humble beginnings as a college football player to his rise as one of the most influential Black and Samoan wrestlers in WWE history to his current status as a Hollywood star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable.
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Grace Lee Boggs
Grace Lee Boggs was a human rights activist and author, who influenced and inspired the world on important causes like civil rights, labor rights, education reform, feminism, and environmentalism for seven decades.
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Sunisa Lee
Sunisa “Suni” Lee is paving the way for Hmong Americans gymnasts around the world in collegiate sports and the Olympics.
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Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix was a guitarist, singer and songwriter inspired by American rock and roll and electric blues.
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Maya Angelou
An American poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, Angelou published seven autobiographies, several books of poetry, multiple books of essays, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years.
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Jean-Michell Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat became an art prodigy in just eight years, dying at the young age of only 27, but leaving behind an incredible legacy of art.
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Harriet Tubman
Born into slavery in 1822, Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and humanitarian who saved hundreds of lives as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, and later as a nurse and caretaker.
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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is an American viral immunologist who was influential in creating the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Serena Williams
Through her formative years, Serena Williams developed tenacity, resilience and fortitude — qualities that would characterize her game on and off the court.
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Alicia Garza
Alicia Garza is an organizer, innovator, writer, and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a spark who sought to ignite equality by any means necessary, proving provocative and controversial to many in the mainstream at the time, but being a widely celebrated figure within African American and Muslim American communities for his pursuit of racial justice.
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Colin Kaepernick
Since he first took a knee for the national anthem in 2016, Colin Kaepernick has prevented America from allowing football to be the country’s favorite escapism from racial injustice, even at the expense of his on-field career.
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Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a driving force behind the American civil rights movement, becoming one of the most influential civil rights activists for African Americans in the mid-1950s before being assassinated in 1968.
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