1. Political & Civic Empowerment — 5 strong examples

Political empowerment, voting, representation, civil rights, policy and community organizing:

1. NAACP — Still one of the strongest examples of organized Black civic power, combining advocacy, litigation, voter engagement and local chapters. Its current work explicitly focuses on building Black political and social power. (NAACP)

2. Black Voters Matter — Founded by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright; particularly strong because it invests in grassroots organizations and local leaders, not simply election-season turnout. (Legal Defense Fund)

3. National Urban League — Combines civil-rights advocacy with economic opportunity, education and civic engagement. Its State of Black America remains an important measurement and policy platform. (State of Black America)

4. National Action Network — Rev. Al Sharpton's organization remains active nationally around voting rights and civil-rights advocacy; it is helping organize the August 28, 2026 March on Washington focused on defending voting rights. (Reuters)

5. Black elected leadership / Congressional Black Caucus — This gives your feature an important distinction: empowerment isn't only protest. Having people in the rooms where laws, budgets and policy are actually decided is another form of Black power.

2. Black Newspapers & Magazines Still Carrying the Voice — 5

The Tennessee Tribune — Nashville. This absolutely belongs on the list. The late Rosetta Miller-Perry founded The Tennessee Tribune in 1991 after investing $70,000 of her own money. She died June 26, 2026, at age 91, but the publication and the work she built continue. Nashville's Metropolitan Council formally honored her legacy in July. She wasn't merely a publisher—her history included civil-rights work, federal public service, business development and creation of the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. (Nashville Legistar)

The Tennessee Tribune

The Hype Magazine — Dr. Jameelah “Just Jay” Wilkerson. I especially like this inclusion because it represents independent Black media growing from an idea into a lasting platform. Wilkerson founded The Hype Magazine in 2002, building a platform around entertainment, music, culture and emerging voices. She remains identified by the publication as its founder. (The Hype Magazine)

The Hype Magazine

AFRO American Newspapers. Founded in 1892, the AFRO is a remarkable example of Black-owned media surviving across generations. In 2026 it is led by fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of the Murphy family under publisher and CEO Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, while expanding digitally and preserving an enormous Black historical archive. (Afro)

AFRO American Newspapers

The Atlanta Voice. Founded in 1966, it continues the Black community-newspaper tradition in Atlanta, covering politics, business, education and community affairs. (Wikipedia)

The Atlanta Voice

BLACK ENTERPRISE. Founded by Earl G. Graves Sr. in 1970, this is an important inclusion because its definition of empowerment centers business ownership, wealth, entrepreneurship, careers and executive leadership. Its reach now extends well beyond a traditional magazine into digital media and major business events. (Wikipedia)

BLACK ENTERPRISE

3. Five broader examples of Black Excellence in Action

Black empowerment has many faces.

Area	What excellence looks like
Political Power	Voting, elected leadership, advocacy and protecting representation
Black Media	Owning the platforms that tell our stories and document our history
Education	HBCUs, Black educators, scholarships, mentorship and preparing the next generation
Arts & Culture	Musicians, filmmakers, designers, visual artists, museums and cultural institutions preserving and advancing Black creativity
Economic/Community Power	Entrepreneurs, developers, professionals and organizations creating jobs, businesses, housing, wealth and community resources

Black excellence isn't simply celebrity or wealth. Excellence is demonstrated through the work—who you educate, employ, inform, represent, inspire and create opportunities for.

And Rosetta Miller-Perry is an especially powerful example of that definition. She used journalism, civil rights, entrepreneurship and institution-building together. Nashville's 2026 resolution notes that she launched Contempora in 1990 and The Tennessee Tribune in 1991 to elevate Black voices and experiences. (Nashville Legistar)

“Black Excellence Is Still Here” , 5 Politics & Power + 5 Media + 5 Arts + 5 Education + 5 Business/Community Builders.

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