What do Amandla Stenberg, Zendaya Coleman, and Simone Biles have in common besides being young, fearless, and unapologetically black? They’re among the tastemakers tapped by NBC for their for the inaugural [#NBCBLK28 list] (http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbcblk28/meet-nbcblk28-n507856) in honor of Black History Month. While you might not immediately link these young thought leaders to this special month, Amber Payne, NBCBLK's managing editor, had a different idea when she helped curate these names. "It should really be called black futurists month," she tells Teen Vogue.
The list features profiles of awesome black people, ages 28 and under, for each day of February. "I wanted to find people who were elevating the conversation on black identity and smashing stereotypes about the black community and redefining what it means to be black in America today,” Amber says, referring to the honorees who consciously use their respective platforms to uplift and tackle tough cultural issues.
In addition to the aforementioned names, #NBCBLK28 also celebrates lesser-known “black futurists" such as artist Debra Cartwright, 28, who started painting hair portraits when she struggled to embrace her own natural hair; activist Jamira Burley, 27, whose tumultuous family background has been fuel for her anti-violence activism; and Brittany Howard, 27, lead singer of Grammy-nominated, rock group Alabama Shakes.
“I want people who look at this list to be inspired in some way,” says Amber, “I want them to find new heroes.” And undoubtedly, anyone who visits the page daily, and discovers another young black tastemaker, will. A read-through of the diverse profiles on Amber's list proves that the future of Black History Month is very bright and constantly evolving.
Related: 7 Reasons Beyoncé's Formation Music Video Is a Powerful Statement During Black History Month
Check out Teen Vogue’s February issue cover star, Zoë Kravitz.
