2026 Making History NOW! Black History Month Series

We’re excited to bring you the sixth year of our Making History NOW! spotlights for Black History Month. Each year, we celebrate remarkable Black youth who are already making an impact, excelling in creative, scientific, athletic, entrepreneurial and advocacy spaces.

These young leaders aren’t just dreaming about the future; they’re actively shaping it. Through talent, determination, and courage, they are breaking barriers, challenging expectations, and redefining what leadership looks like. Their stories remind us that Black history isn’t only something we honor from the past, it’s being written right now.

 
 
Khloe Thompson

Environmental Advocate & Nonprofit Founder

Khloe founded Khloe Kares, a youth-led nonprofit addressing homelessness and food insecurity. Starting as a child, she has organized food drives, hygiene kit distributions and community outreach efforts across California, inspiring other kids to get involved in service work.

Lena D. Ford

Youth Entrepreneur & Community Advocate

Lena is the founder and CEO of Positively Lena, a youth-led company focused on spreading positivity and supporting children and families in foster and kinship care. At just 14 years old, she was named Black Enterprise’s Youth Entrepreneur of the Year for her work combining business, advocacy, and community service. Through campaigns like Embrace Their Roots, Lena empowers young people to give back and lead with purpose.

 
 
 
Mari Copeny

Environmental Justice Advocate

Mari, also known as “Little Miss Flint,” became a national voice for clean water access after speaking out about the Flint water crisis at a young age. She has worked with nonprofits, community leaders, and policymakers to advocate for environmental justice and safe drinking water for all children. Mari continues to use her platform to amplify youth voices and push for meaningful change.

 
 
 
Haili & Brooke Smith

Youth Literacy Advocates & Nonprofit Founders

Sisters Haili and Brooke co-founded Books Like Me, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing representation in children’s literature. After noticing a lack of books that reflected diverse identities in their own classrooms, they began collecting and donating inclusive books to schools and libraries across the country. Their work helps children see themselves in stories and fosters a love of reading at a young age.

 
 
 
Dasia Taylor

STEM Innovator & Medical Researcher

Dasia developed a low-cost medical innovation while still in high school: color-changing sutures that can detect infection by responding to changes in pH. Her invention earned national recognition, including being named a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the most prestigious science competitions for high school students in the U.S. Dasia’s work highlights how young scientists can create practical solutions that improve health outcomes and save lives.

 
 
Keith A. Griffith III

Youth Entrepreneur & Mental Health Advocate

Keith is the founder of Beeing2gether, a honey-based business that combines environmental sustainability with mental health advocacy. He began beekeeping as a form of therapy while navigating personal challenges and turned it into a mission-driven company that promotes emotional wellness and community healing. Through Beeing2gether, Keith raises awareness about mental health while educating others about the importance of pollinators and environmental care.