Zach Weisberg, 2/16/12

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheInertia.com

For Nick, surfing was a vehicle to improve his world. The ocean was his medium, which is fitting because the sea knows no prejudice; it's the ultimate equalizer.

Brandice Henderson, 2/15/12

CEO and Founder of Harlem's Fashion Row

If you lined up the work of Tracy Reese, Stephen Burrows, and Sammy B., would there be a common thread that could be traced back to their race? The common thread in each of their collections would be a reflection of American fashion. Black Fashion is American Fashion.

Latham Thomas, 2/15/12

Founder of Tender Shoot Wellness

As a wellness and lifestyle expert, my main function is to help clients embrace a healthy lifestyle. I notice that even your hairstyle can have an adverse effect on your overall heath.

Briallen Hopper, 2/14/12

Briallen teaches and preaches at Yale

The Chris Brown story illustrates real problems with the way Americans understand forgiveness and redemption. Too often, American-style forgiveness is a kind of forgetting.

Zandile Blay, 2/14/12

Style Columnist

The surge has roots in last season's awe-inspiring 'Arise Africa Fashion Collective' which showed at Avery Fisher Hall to over 1,000 celebs, editors, bloggers and buyers. The watershed moment exposed NYFW to a whole population of African designers who are primed and prepared for the West.

Michael W. Waters, 2/14/12

Founder and Pastor, Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church, Joytabernacleame.org, Faithforchange.org

Being counted among the children of addiction is an impossible hardship. From an early age, they are taught, even forced, in many cases, to veil their parent's addiction from the public eye.

Kristin Braswell, 2/14/12

Writer and Cook

One of my favorite Valentine's Day quotes is not from a beautiful sonnet or anthology, but by rapper Andre 3000, who says, "Everyday is the 14th.

Ama Yawson, 2/14/12

Co-Founder of LoveEssence.com

I understand that for the past two years the media has been throwing spears in your direction. But I have a question for you. When have you ever allowed stereotypes, negative statistics or notions of beauty heralded by the mass media to define you or circumscribe your aspirations?

Danielle Moodie-Mills, 2/14/12

Advisor for LGBT Policy & Racial Justice at the Center for American Progress

A real marriage is based on love and mutual respect not just sex, yet the only thing that seems to be in question in every stateroom and courtroom between here and California is sex -- but more importantly what is acceptable sex and what isn't.

Reverend William E. Flippin, Jr., 2/12/12

Shepherd/Servant Leader and Advocate for the Poor

This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in what is presently, the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. This day of devotion is annually set aside in February, to commemorate this pioneer of religion, social action and transformation.

Morris W. O'Kelly, 2/13/12

Radio commentator; Syndicated columnist; Author, The Mo'Kelly Report

There has been no widespread public call within the African-American religious community demanding for Eddie Long to step down, be sat down or altogether shutdown.

Sophia A. Nelson, 2/13/12

Award Winning Author; culture & style columnist for NBC's theGRIO.com, Essence Magazine, and USA TODAY Contributor, NPR

As a teenage black girl growing up in southern New Jersey in the 1980s, Whitney Houston was someone unimaginable to me: young, black, beautiful, talented and energetic. She set a new standard for Gen X, she was our Diana Ross, our Billie Holiday.

David A. Love, 2/12/12

Executive Director, Witness to Innocence

The case of Reggie Clemons represents everything that is wrong with the death penalty and the U.S. criminal justice system. But unlike Troy Davis, here is still time to save him. We can fix this.

Martha Burk, 2/12/12

Director, Corporate Accountability Project, National Council of Women's Organizations

Before her death in 2006, in preparation for a new biography, Coretta King met many times with Dr. Barbara Reynolds, one of the founding editors of USA Today. I recently interviewed Dr. Reynolds on her time with Mrs. King.

Wendell Pierce, 2/10/12

Actor

I don't need Hollywood to remind me of African-Americans' achievements in WWII. I have my father. For his valor and bravery my father earned the World War II Victory Medal, among other commendations. But when he returned home he never received his medal or an official "thank you."

Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, 2/10/12

U.S. Representative from Ohio's 11th District

Why in 2012 are we returning to the days of limiting the vote rather than encouraging it? How can we forget how far we've come as a nation?

Edward Wyckoff Williams, 2/10/12

Columnist and Political Analyst

I believe in freedom of religion. I believe in being politically correct. What I do not believe in are double standards. To that end, Mitt Romney must answer for having been 32 years old, and the member of an organization that explicitly excluded African Americans.