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The Most Influential African-Americans of 2008
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WILL.I.AM
MUSICIAN, ACTIVIST
Known for the hip-pop of the Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am, 33, got political this year. After hearing a Barack Obama speech in New Hampshire, he produced the video “Yes We Can,” setting excerpts to music. Starring such celebrities as John Legend, the video became a viral hit. Even Michelle Obama reportedly forwarded it to her husband’s supporters. The artist says, “[Getting involved in activism] makes me realize…every person on the planet who is pushing for change can see that it can happen.”
For the complete list, check out the December issue of ESSENCE on newsstands now.
―PATRIK HENRY BASSADVERTISEMENT
U are $?#@! Ugly
Posted at 8:52AM on January 26th 2009 by shawn
The Most Influential African-Americans of 2008 is such an honor for our people. I just love to hear about our accomplishments, it really inspires me to do better. I am a 45-year old African-American women that went back to college after working a clerical job for years and raising my four children. In may of '07 I got my associates in applied science degree, in may of /09 I will receive my bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and have now applied for graduate school at Eastern as well. When I get my Master's of Science in Technology, I will write Essence with the good news and the all too infamous chant...YES WE CAN!!!!!!!
Posted at 5:07PM on November 17th 2008 by Angela Williams
i am the lady that told you what his name means to me thank you and god bless his greatnest
Posted at 2:26PM on November 14th 2008 by michele mclean
Obama, is our president and my family and I are glad to be here to witness this incredible victory. We made history this year 2008. What else is there to say, but ( Yes We Can!) and we did. We are influenced by many; but we make our own decisions and no matter what anyone says it was a good one. Be proud of what we've accomplished. God Bless!
Posted at 7:30PM on November 13th 2008 by Andrea Harris
I'm with everyone else on this one. WHY exactly wasn't it supposed to happen?
Posted at 3:14PM on November 13th 2008 by Agnes
Barack Obama is our president!!! I lived to witness this day in U.S. History. I am a child of the civil rights movement. This day I can truly said it was not in vain. Our struggles were not in vain.. We as Black women have a first lady who looks like us, what pride I feel for Barack answering the Roots question "Is you the one!" YES! HE IS THE ONE!.
Posted at 11:44AM on November 13th 2008 by SHARON WARR
Yeah, what does the statement if wasn't supposed to happen mean. Sounds very pessimistic and unsupportive. It was supposed to happen and it did.
Posted at 10:32AM on November 13th 2008 by anitra
"What Obama accomplished this year wasn't supposed to happen, but it did" I am sorry what does this statement mean? Why wasn't it supposed to happen? God was on this man's side and when our Lord and Savior is in it it is supposed to happen.
Posted at 10:16AM on November 13th 2008 by Nicole