Black Women in History:Quvenzhané Wallis, Pint size history making oscar nominee

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the Oscars this evening; the time when all the stars come out with hopes of being on the best dressed list and taking home the gold.

Quvenzhane Wallis is the the youngest person to be nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Female Actress in a Leading Role. She is following in the footsteps of Dorthy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicily Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Basset, Gabourey Sidibe, Viola Davis, and the only black woman to win an Oscar for Best Female Actress in a Leading Role: Halle Berry. Though Hollywood has come a long way there are still only a select amount of roles for African American women. She is paving the way for other little brown girls and boys, who want to be featured on the big screen.

To be honest without the Oscar buzz I probably would not have heard about Quvenzhane; but after reading countless articles and interviews praising her work in Beasts of the Southern Wild, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Quvenzhane took on the role of Hushpuppy, originally a male role. Hushuppy lives in the eccentric town of Bathtub, motherless, with a father ill in body and mind. The story is sort of a coming of age, weaving through a childlike imagination and the harsh reality of living with a parent who has schizophrenic tendencies and a mother whose love you desire, but will never have. Her unique portrayal of this wounded bird is exemplary and, fingers crossed, she won't just be the youngest nominee, but by the end of tonight she will be the youngest winner. 

Beasts of the Southern Wild helped to change the course of this young ladies life. She has been interviewed on several talk-shows, has taken on the role of Blessing in the movie short Boneshaker set to be released in 2013, and also in the movie Twelve Years a Slave, which is in post-production.  The future is bright for this Lousiana native, so stay tuned  for tonight's Oscars.

Peace, Love, and Cinematic History making

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Women in History: Oscar Nominees behind the camera

Many people know about the history making women in front of the camera, but to often women that create magic behind the lens go unrecognized.  Though only one of the women that I list today has won an Oscar, they all deserve the accolade that they have received outside of the Academy.

 

Irene Cara was made famous by her appearance in the movie Fame. She is the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for a non-acting role. In 1984, along with composer Giorgio Moroder and co-lyricist Keith Forsey, she won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song Flashdance (What a Feeling). Some of her credits include starring in the Original Sparkle, several Broadway shows including The Wiz and Ain't Misbehavin', and television appearances on The Electric Company, and What's Happening!!

Yvonne Smith was the first black person nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary Feature for her work on a film Adam Clayton Powell in 1990. I have had a hard time trying to locate further information about this history maker, but she did produce the Independent Lens documentary Parliment Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove.

Karolyn Ali  was nominated in 2004 for an Academy Award for Documentary Feature as a producer for Tupac: Ressurection. I have not been able to find out much information about Ms. Ali, however some of her credits include appearing in two episode of Unsung television documentary series and production of the 1995 thriller Klash.

Janet Jackson was nominated in 1993 for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Again from the feature film Poetic Justice. Along with being a member of the international famed Jackson Family, her credits include six films, three recurring television roles and countless other television appearances, six tours, ten studio albums,  countless #1 singles and platinum albums.  She has made her dent in the music industry and I hope that more chart toppers are in her future.

Siedah Garrett is currently the most nominated African American female songwriter. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards in the category of Best Original Song. In 2006 she shared a nomination with Henry Krieger for Love You I do from critically acclaimed Dreamgirls. In 2011 she shared a nomination with Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown for Real in Rio for the animated feature film Rio. Some of her accolades include three albums, countless background vocals, seven album credits, and one Grammy. Hopefully there are more nominations in her future.

Dianne Houston is the the first black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award in category of Live Action Short film in 1995 for Tuesday Morning Ride. One of her first major projects was as an executive story editor for the television drama series Brewster Place. Some of her other accomplishments includes several screenplays, being the executive story editor and director for the television series City of Angels, co-writing the television movie Run for the Dream: The Gail Dever's Story, directing NYPD Blue, and many other successful projects.  The future is still bright for the golden nominee.

Suzanne de Passe  is the first black person and woman to be nominated  for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) for her work with Lady Sings the Blues in 1972.  A former creative assistant for Motown. She is credited with bringing the Jackson 5 to the attention of Berry Gordy. Her credits include being the Executive Producer of Sister Sister and Smart Guy, work on several mini-series, numerous Motown Specials, 130 Showtime at the Apollo episodes, eight award programs, thirteen awards and counting, as well as innumerable associations affiliations, and honorary degrees. Truly a priceless inspiration.

As I look at the photos of these seven women and the two that I highlighted yesterday, I realize that there is history to be made.  Only six African American women have won Oscars in front of the camera and only one woman has won an Oscar for work behind the screen.  It is time for change. Maybe one day I will be apart  of it, maybe I won't, but I hope that the young women of my generation will pick up the torch and create opportunities for themselves, blow the doors down. 

Peace, Love, and Cinematic History,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks(Future History Maker)

Black Women in History: History making Oscar nominees for Best Costume Design

I am so excited about the Oscars on Sunday and will definitely be posted with my favorite snacks in hand; may just have to make some snicker-doodles. African-American women are not only making strides in front of the camera; they are changing the dynamics behind the scenes. Over the next few days, I would like to celebrate these ladies that are in the shadows. The two women that I will mention today are history makers in the Category of Costume Design.

Ruth E. Carter

Photo from beautifulbrowngirls.com

Ruth E. Carter was the first African American nominated in the category of Best Costume Design in 1992 for designs for Malcolm X. She was also nominated in 1997 for her designs for Amistad. One of her most recent contributions to the world of costume design was her work for the 2012 Sparkle remake. Some of her credits include costume design for Bamboozled, Crooklyn, The Fiveheatbeats, and School Daze.

Sharen Davis

Photo from nydailynews,com

Sharen Davis is truly making a name for herself in Hollywood.  She was nominated in the category of Costume Design for Ray in 2004,  Dreamgirls in  2006, and was recently nominated for Costume Design for the controversial Tarantino film DJango. Her other credits include costume design for critically acclaimed The Help, The Pursuit of Happyness, Antown Fisher, and The Great Debaters.

These ladies continue to contribute to some of the best films in Hollywood. Fingers crossed Sharen Davis will make history and be the First African American to win in the category of Costume Design.
Peace, Love, and History making,

Najeema Iman  

Black Women in History: A few of my favorite Visual Artist

Writing posts for this week has been difficult, as they are renovating the apartment directly below us.  There is a lot of hammering, nailing, moving, and shifting.  There is subject matter all around.  Life is the stories that people make everyday, the untold songs of hero's past, present, and future. (Don't judge me, I am just coming off of watching Freedom Writers and I am strongly considering renting Don't Back Down soon.) 

I'm artistically inclined and have been all of my life.  I love doing activities that allow me to live outside of the box using colors, getting messy, and go with the flow rather than run a tight ship.  I'm going to keep it short and sweet again today.  The work of the women that I am going to mention in this post speaks for itself.
 

Sabrina Nelson

Osuns Chair by Sabrina Nelson

 I had the opportunity to several works of art by Sabrina Nelsons before I met her in person at a Natural hair meet up a few years ago.  Sabrina is a Detroit native who is making major moves. She is an Associate Director of Admissions at College  of Creative Studies and her work speaks to the inner spirituality in all.  On her website she states that her art is influenced by artist such as Frida Kahlo and Kathe Kollwitz, as well as the sounds of DJ Spooky, and word of Arundhati Roy.

Kesha Bruce

Totem for a Girl Dancing by Kesha Bruce

Kesha Bruce, who currently lives in France is an Iowa native who " creates richly textured andvisually complex artworks that explore the connections between memory, personal mythology, and magical-spiritual belief." (Keshabruce.com) She currently runs her own studio and has been awarded fellowship at the New York Foundation for the Arts, The Vermont Studio Center, has a Puffin Foundation Grant, is a curator and founding director of Director of Baang and Burne Contemporary Art in New York, has had several exhibits in the US and France, and has permanet collections at f The Amistad Center for Art and Culture, The University of Iowa Women's Center, The En Foco Photography Collection, and The Museum of Modern Art/Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection.

Betye Saar 

 

 A contributor to the black arts movement during the seventies Betye Saar used her collection of stereotypical images of African American people such as Little Black Sambo and Aunt Jemima to evoke political and social ideas. Her later work, after the death of her great aunt used dried flower, family mementos, and other object to express loss and memory. In the 80s she began to incorporate larger scale objects in her work as well as components of her mixed ancestry.  At 86 she is still creating and has even birthed two artists, Alison Saar and Lezley Saar.

There are  many more inspirations out there, these are just three of my favorites.

Peace, Love, and Art,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks  

 

Black Women in History: On the Bookshelf

 If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive. 

- Audre Lorde

I'm not lacking inspiration for the Black Women in History Post Series, however since there is consistent hammering, clanging, banging, and screaming coming from the apartment below and I am having trouble filtering out the noise, I am going to keep it simple today.  As I have stated in several of my post I have a goal of reading twenty-four books, by the end of the year.  While I am broadening my horizons, many of the books on my list come from Black Women authors, since they possess the voice that I can identify with most.

Today's post consist of a list of books that I have read or plan to read over the next year from some of my favorite black female authors....

Books that I have read by Black Women include

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Their Eyes Are Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Baileys Cafe by Gloria Naylor

Some love Some Pain Sometime by J. California Cooper
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is not Enough by Ntozake  Shange
Paradise by Toni Morrison

And a few more in-between that I can't recall right now.  I am currently in the process of finishing  The Street by Ann Petry and restarting Jazz by Toni Morrison. New to my list in no particular order-

Coal by Audre Lorde

Linden Hills by Gloria Naylor

The Narrows by Ann Petry

Mama Day by Gloria Naylor

The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

The Men of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

The Chicken Chronicles: Sitting with the Angels Who Have Returned with My Memories: Glorious, Rufus, Gertrude Stein, Splendor, Hortensia, Agnes of God, the Gladyses, & Babe: A Memoir by Alice Walker

Maud Martha: A Novel by Gwendolyn Brooks

Blacks by Gwendolyn Brooks

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Letter to my Daughter by Maya Angelou

A Piece of Mine: Stories by J. California Cooper

Homemade Love by J. California Cooper

1996 by Gloria Naylor 

Linden Hills by Gloria Naylor

Some Soul to Keep by J. California Cooper

Some People, Some other Place  by J. California Cooper

The Wake of the Wind by J. California Cooper

In Search of Satisfaction by J. California Cooper

If I read this whole list I would exceed my goal.  I know Gloria Naylor, Ann Petry, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Zora Neal Hurston and J.California Cooper aren't the only Black Women authors out there, but I celebrate them today.  What not on my list are some good mystery stories or biographies, any recommendations?

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman(Falling in love with good books)

Black Women in History:`Highnotes in History- Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones

My music selections are as diverse as my hairstyle choices.  I have fallin' in love with jazz through Billie and Etta, gotten soulful with Jill and India, and gotten over spiritually with Mahalia.  African Americans have contributed a lot to music world, and many have gone unrecognized.  A few years ago when I began researching notable women in the African American community for the Black Women in History Post Series I came across several references to Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, also known as Black Patti.  

Black Patti was the first African American to perform at Wallack's Theater on Br oadway in 1888 and Carnigie Hall in 1892. During the late 19th early 20th century she was one of the highest paid performers.

Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones was born in Portsmouth, Virginia January aroudn 1868 or 1869 to former slaves.  Like many performers in the African American community, Joyner-Jones began her career in church.  After attending New England Conservatory of Music, she made her professional debut at a benefit concert in Boston to an audience of over five thousand.  After a history making performance at the Wallack Theater as the first African American performer,  she joined an African American performance troupe and toured the West Indies for several months.  Upon returning to the US she toured several east coast cities and obtained further vocal instruction.

Labeled "The Greatest Singer of Her Race" she was given the  nick name Black Patti after Adelina Patti, an Italian-American soprano featured at the Metroplitian Opera. Joyner-Jones did not like the nickname, but it may have been one of the keys to her career success. She had the privilege of performing for four US presidents and was a featured performer  at the Grand Negro Jubilee in 1892 at Madison Square Gardens. Though marriage and management problems surfaced, Joyner-Jones remained persistent.  After gaining new management, the traveling showBlack Patti’s Troubadours was formed. Though the show provided a steady income and the opportunity to travel around the United States, Joyner-Jones was not fully satisfied.  She felt that the Troubadours were ministerial show, thus being counterproductive to the image she wanted to portray.  Ultimately after the decline of the ministerial genre, her career took a hit and she was left like many artist of the time penniless, and would later seek public assistance. Matilla Sissieretta Joyner-Jones died June 24, 1933 and there a no known recording of her soprano voice.  Her story tells of the the importance of preserving history.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks (Wishing I could hear her voice today) 

Black Women in History: The Warrior Poet, Audre Lorde

Lorde's Beautiful Dark Mouth

by Najeema Iman

Gambda Adisa I am,

Fighting a war against the tyrannies of silence,

I seek to make aware,

I am black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet

I the magnitude of my lifes process

Culminated by my blackness.

They sought to confine

Creating a shroud of blindness

My words were twisted, 

They said I was tongue tied,

But life is a masterpiece.

Sonnet of pronouns, nouns, and verbs which were citizens of different countries.

Words are in me,

It is my gift to the world.

I will not be oppressed by the man.

I have a relationship with words

holding the occupation of life

i combine the nature of all

find my medium in overcoming racism.

I have 

Because I was give n

I am Coal

My rage is louder than words

I am a diamond in the rough 

I'm comin' out.
I talk of The Woman Thing 
Cause' I am my ancestors.

Photo from http://www.pbase.com/image/111144634

I wrote the poem above five years ago for a final project in college. Audre Lorde was unknown to me at the time, but as I read some of her work I was inspired. She, like me, embraces the strands on her head, yet unlike me embraces her uniqueness with pride. I struggle at times to embrace the artistic nature that God created in me.

Audre Lorde was a phenomenal writer and political activist born to Caribbean-American parents in New York City on February 18, 1934. Her passion for writing developed at an early age. After writing her first poem in eighth grade, it was later published in Seventeen magazine. Despite being legally blind, she pursued education and supported herself by doing various jobs including factory work and ghost writing. She was lesbian, poet, and an envelope pusher whose early works were published by Langston Hughes, foreign anthologies, and other African American publications. Some of her most popular collections of poetry include Coal and The Black Unicorn. In the 60s she was heavily involved in civil rights, anti-war, and the feminist movement. Along with Barbara Smith she founded the Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. She died from breast cancer, which she chronicled in her non-fiction work, The Cancer Journals, on November 17, 1992.

I have not had the opportunity to read many of her works, but they are definitely on my list for this year.  Audre Lorde would have been 79 years old today.

For more on Audre Lorde check out some of these links....

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/audre-lorde
http://www.biography.com/people/audre-lorde-214108?page=2
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/306

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks(Learning to celebrate the warriors before me)

Black Women in History: Girls Group Favorites, SWV

Keeping it short and sweet again, SWV is another highly underrated Girls Group of the 90s.



I can't remember the first time I heard SWV on the radio. I was probably only six or seven, but Sisters with Voices(SWV) a former gospel group, had major play time on the airways in Detroit.  SWV was composed of Cheryl Gamble, Tamara Johnson, and Leanne Lyons whose debut album was certified triple platinum. Their hits include one of my all time favorites "Weak." Though like many other girl groups they never won a Grammy, but their accolades include one Kids Choice Awards and eight Billboard Music Awards. It looks likes SWV have survived and maybe on there way to a comeback. In 2011 they signed a record deal, and in 2012 released their fourth studio album, I Missed Us, on iTunes. So stay tuned, I am sure that we will be hearing more hits from these ladies real soon.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Women In History: Girls Group Favorites, Xscape

Some heavy weights in the music industry came out of the group Xscape.Xscape was a former quintet turned quartet which consisted of LaTocha Scott, Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle. Signed under Jermaine Dupres So So Def label in 1991, they released their debut album Hummin' Comin' at Cha two years later, which went platinum within a year of its release.  Their list of accomplishments include four Grammy awards (five additional nominations) as well as several American Music Award nominations and Soul Train Lady of Soul Award nominations.  After the release of their third album Traces of Lipstick, the group decided to go their separate ways, however they have experienced a lot of success individually.

Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle co-wrote TLC's No Scrubs with Kandi Burruss and has most recently appeared on two reality television shows.  Kandi Burruss has co-written and written songs for successful artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, and Boys II Men. The recently engaged Kandi can be seen on Real Housewives of Atlanta and is the owner of a adult toy line. Tamika Scott has also put her writing skills to work. Tamika has written and produced several songs for gospel stage plays, as well as writing and producing for several artists including Yolanda Adams, Anthony Hamilton, Tamela Mann, and LaToya Luckett. LaTocha Scott has not achieved the same success as other former members of the group, but she has appeared on several soundtracks and most recently released a new single Bad Timing in 2012. Though they have experienced much success individually I would love to see more music from them collectively.

Peace and Love

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks (Music Lover)

Black Women in History: Girls Groups Favorites, Brownstone

Gonna keep is short and sweet again. TLC and EnVogue are not the onlyAfrican American Girls Group that I appreciate from the 90s, lets talk about another one of my favorites, Brownstone.

Honestly I had forgotten about Brownstone until I saw 'Nicci' on R & B Divas last year, but I grew up in a household where their CD was on repeat.  Though the groups success was short lived, the 1995 Album From the Bottom Up went Platinum in the US, and achieved Silver status in the UK.  They were nominated for several Billboard music Awards, one Grammy, one Lady of Soul Award, and were featured on the song Freedom, from the movie Panther soundtrack. Thou

gh they have previously failed to make a comeback, I hope that they as many members of girl groups from the 90s will succeed in their individual ventures.

Stay tuned for my other two 90s Girl Group faves Xscape and SWV.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Women in History: Girls Group Favorites, TLC

TLC is another Girls group that ruled the 90s.  TLC has been in the biz for over two decades, and recently celebrates 20 years in 2012 with a reunion tour with the remaining members Rozanda 'Chili' Thomas and Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins. 

 

TLC was the first female group to have an album, CrazySexyCool, reach diamond status with the Recording Industry Association of America selling over 23 million copies worldwide.  Recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the greatest musical trios of all time, their album Fanmail debuted number one and sold over 11 million copies world wide. TLC's fourth album sold approximately 2 million copies world wide and featured vocals from a deceased Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez who died tragically in a car accident April 25, 2002.  Collectively they have sold over 65 million albums worldwide and are named the second best selling female group of all time and the best selling R&B group of all time. There accolades include ten top ten singles, four number one singles, four multi-platinum albums, four Grammy awards, five MTV music video awards, three Billboard music awards, six Soul Train Lady of Soul awards, and five Soul Train awards.  Though TLC has experienced heartbreak, loss, controversy, financial and law enforcement problems, they did not let this deter them from making their mark in the music industry.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Wmen In History: Girls Group Favorite, En Vogue

As promised in my previous Girls Group Favorite Post, I am going to keep this short and sweet.  Number two on my girls group favorites list is En Vogue.

 

EnVogue is a studio made group that ruled the nineties.  It is not hard to forget them with chart toppers like  My Love (You're Never Gonna Get it), Giving Him Somethin' He Can Feel, Hold On, Free You're Mind, and What A Man with Salt n' Peppa.  Unfortunately they have fallen prey to the girl group curse and have had a revolving door of members, and have disbanded several times. According to some sources they have won the most MTV Music Awards of any female group, but I have not been able to confirm.  Though they have never won a Grammy, their accolades include two American Music Awards, one Billboard Award, seven MTV Music Awards, three Soul Train Music Awards, and one Soul Train Lady of Soul Award.  I don't know if we will here any music from the original members Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones, Terry Ellis  and Cindy Herron collectively again, but their music is timeless and like their predecessors they were trendsetters and style icons.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Women in History: Girls Group Favorites, The Supremes

Well since we are past the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, just heard of the recent news of a TLC biopic in production, and witnessed the reunion of Destiny's Child at the 2013 Superbowl; lets talk about some of the iconic African American Girls groups. There are so many to choose from, but I promise that I will keep it short n' sweet and talk about their historical high notes. Some of these groups ruled for decades, others were short lived but earned their keep while they were on top.  This week I will be sharing my favorite African American Girl Groups of all time, the history makers. Let's start things off with my all time favorite Girls Group The Supremes.

One of the most iconic African American groups of all time, The Supremes, set the the precedence for girls groups that were to come. Originally a quartet, named The Primettes, were signed to Motown Records in 1961 under a new name The Supremes, after several member changes and finally completing high school upon the request of Barry Gordy. After several singles barely charting, The Supremes struck gold with "Where Did Our Love Go," originally rejected by The Marvalettes, which went #1 on the Pop and R&B charts. One of their next hit singles Baby Love, gained audiences worldwide, making them the first all girl group to reach number one in England. The Supremes had a total of 12 number one singles and were the first American Group to have five consecutive singles on the Billboard Hot 100 singles Chart. In my heart The Supremes will always be Mary, Diana, and Florence. May their legacies live on.
Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Black Women in History: Medical History- Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee

Photo Credit: David Pokress,  newsday.com

Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee is often overshadowed by her younger sister, entertainer Diana Ross, but her accomplishments in medicine community truly set her apart. Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee washttp://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7842732330709003395#editor/target=post;postID=5180312880983095159 the first black woman to be appointed dean of an American Medical school and she continues to be one of the most influential African American Women in the field of Medicine.

Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee is a Detroit native who was born June 1, 1942.   She was the oldest of six children, which included singer Diana Ross. Like her baby sis, she did not let her then circumstance, growing up in the Brewster Project in Detroit, determine the path of her future.

After attending  Cass Technical High School in Detroit, graduating in 1960, Ross-Lee attending Wayne State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry in 1965.  She briefly abandoned medicine and had a short teaching career through the National Teaching Corps program where she earned an Master in the Arts of Teaching Special Populations from Wayne State University while teaching in the Detroit Public School System.  In  1973 Ross-Lee received her Doctorate in the field of Osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University. After ten years of running a family practice in Detroit from 1973-1983, she joined the US Navy as a physician and Michigan State University as a professor in the Department of Family Practice.

In 1993 Ross- Lee was appointed the dean of the College of Osteopathic medicine of Ohio University, thus making her the first African American Woman dean of an American Medical School and one of only a few women deans in the whole country.  She continues to make strides in the medical field, and most recently in 2011 joined a panel of experts to discuss and advocate for changes in health care and policies.

Some of her other career accomplishments include-

1984 Joined U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a consultant on education in the health professions
1990-1993 Community Representative for the Governor's Minority Health Advisory Committee in Michigan
1991 First osteopathic physician fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship Program
1993 First African American Woman to be the dean of an American Medical School at Ohio University
2001 Appointed Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology

Photo from www.nlm.nih.gov

2002 Appointed Dean of Dean of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Not only has she achieved so much in the field of Osteopathic Medicine she has successfully co-parented five children with her husband Edmond Beverly.  She is a priceless inspiration.

Hair-story

Not really sure about her hair journey. But by the photos that I have been able to locate through my searching online, she, as her sister Diana has beautiful thick tresses that she wears in soft curls that frame her face perfectly. .

Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee shows us that anything is possible with determination and a great work ethic.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

Sources: On the web Changing the Face of Medicine, The History Makers

Originally Posted: February 2011
Updated: February 10, 2013