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TO BE AN ACTIVIST IS TO BE A VISIONARY
TO BE AN ACTIVIST IS TO BE A VISIONARY
Icons Among Us
Black Joy Parade is teaming up with Comcast to recognize activists icons yet to be crowned.
Upon selection, Icons will receive a $5,000 contribution to a nonprofit of their choice to recognize their commitment and contribution to creating more space for Black joy to thrive.
MEET OUR ICONS
2025
Joyce Gordon
Founder, Joyce Gordon Gallery
Joyce Gordon, founder of Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland, has been a driving force in uplifting Black artists and fostering artistic dialogue for over two decades. Born in Louisiana and raised in Berkeley, she was influenced by her Southern roots and the Bay Area’s creative energy, eventually studying at California College of the Arts. Through her gallery, she has showcased renowned artists, mentored emerging talent, and created a space for community engagement. She also founded OYAE (Oakland Youth Art Explosion) and the Joyce Gordon Foundation of the Arts to support and connect young creatives with established artists.
Gigi R. Crowder
CEO, NAMI Contra Costa
Gigi R. Crowder is a proud Native of Oakland, CA and the CEO of NAMI Contra Costa. She is the Founder of Black Minds Matter 2! and the 40 Voices Campaigns. Gigi is an Elder in her church and is a dedicated mental health advocate who champions utilizing community defined and faith based strategies and approaches to improve behavioral health outcomes for African Americans. She is unapologetic about where she focuses her attention, and deems Black People as the most harmed due to systemic racism. In 2022 she founded and lead the highly successful 40 Voices Campaign, declaring, a “Call to Action,” pushing Contra Costa County to fund an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub.
Tyrone Stevenson Jr. (Champ)
Founder and CEO, Original Scraper Bike Team
Oakland native Tyrone Stevenson Jr. (Champ) is the founder and CEO of the Original Scraper Bike Team, a nonprofit empowering underserved youth through biking, education, and creative self-expression. A Cal State East Bay graduate with a degree in Nonprofit Management, Champ began the team at age 16, driven by a passion to give back to his community. Recognized as a Jefferson Awards "Globe Changer" in 2011, he is expanding Scraper Bikes nationally while also promoting health and wellness initiatives and youth entrepreneurship.
NOMINATION
CRITERIA
To be eligible, nominees must be
Primarily based in the 9 Bay Area counties
Engaged in social equity work elevating the community for at least 7 years
Work must be tied to an official organization (preferably a nonprofit but not mandatory) in good standing and primarily focus on benefiting the Black community
MEET OUR ICONS
2024
Donald Frazier
CEO, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) | Executive Director, Reentry Providers Association of America
Jameelah Hanif
CEO, Watch Me Grow
Shelene Huey-Booker
Founder / Executive Director, Youth Utilizing Power and Praise Organization
MEET OUR ICONS
2023
Antoine Hunter
Founder / Director, Urban Jazz Dance Company
Dr. Angela Wellman
Founding Director, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music
Chef Mimi
Founder, The Black Food and Wine Experience
MEET OUR ICONS
2022
Adamaka Ajaelo
Founding Executive Director - Self Estem
LaNiece Jones
Executive Director - Peralta Colleges Foundation
Milan R Balinton
Executive Director, African American Community Service Agency
MEET OUR ICONS
2021
Ben McBride
CEO, Empower Initiative
Cathy Diane Adams
President & CEO - Oakland African America Chamber of Commerce
Maurice Woods
Executive Director & Founder, Inneract Project