Next Big Thing with Courtney & Dara

22 Sep 2015

Who’s Up Next? Kenneth Wiggins

By robyn

Kenneth Wiggins is the Founder of Black Stock images a company with a mission to provide diverse stock photos featuring Black people. Based in D.C., Wiggins is a creative entrepreneur with expertise in interactive design, front-end engineering, brand strategy, and product development. Like most great business ideas, Black Stock Images grew from Wiggins quickly growing tired of searching for quality images that also felt authentic. Wiggins noticed that the lack of representation was widespread and

Who’s Up Next? Kaya Thomas

By robyn

The first thing you see on Kaya Thomas’ website is - Developer, Student, Mentor - however, Kaya is so much more than that, she is an inspiration. While still in her teens, Kaya was honored by First Lady Michelle Obama and others during last year's Black Girls Rock ceremony. The young ios developer and creator of the We Read Too app, highlighting diverse books with minority characters, has contributed to TechCrunch, interned at Intuit, and has

Who’s Up Next? Terence Nance

By robyn

Independent filmmaker and music video director Terence Nance from a family of artists in Dallas, TX who is now based in Brooklyn. Terence’s first feature-length film, An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, premiered at Sundance and won the 2012 Gotham Award for “Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You.” In addition to this work as an independent filmmaker, Terence also directs music videos, creates art installations, and performs music under the name Terence Etc.

Who’s Up Next? Michael Wayne Turner III

By robyn

Renaissance man, Michael Wayne Turner III, is an award winning writer, poet, spoken word artist, actor, and educator. Taking on the starring role in Chinaka Hodge's Chasing Mehserle, Turner plays Watts a young man who doesn't feel safe in the world, hasn't gone past his Oakland stoop since the Rodney King beating and is obsessed with the Bart officer who killed Oscar Grant, Johannes Mehserle. The play is reminiscent of many of the anxieties felt

Who’s Up Next? Brian Gerrard

By robyn

Brian Gerrard, the CEO of a new tech company, BAE app is curated and targeted for people of color. Bae is a mobile app connected through Facebook, however, it’s goal is to take the quest for meaningful connection to this overlooked and demographic. With his brother, Justin Gerrard and CTO Jordan Kunzika, Brian hopes to change the market for Black men and women who are among the most technologically active but the least desirable group

Who’s Up Next? Joaquina Kalukango

By robyn

This broadway performer is currently appearing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in the revival of The Color Purple as Nettie. This is not Joaquina Kalukango’s first Broadway show, however, this up and coming actress has had parts in Godspell and the short run of Holler If Ya Hear Me. As well as off-Broadway productions of the popular shows, The Wild Party and Hurt Village. Joaquina was recently featured in the New York Times’ “In

Who’s Up Next? Kashmir Thompson

By robyn

“Everything in life is a piece of art” - Kashmir Thompson Kashmir Thompson is shaking up the internet with her graphic design. This young artist moved to Atlanta after graduating from the Cleveland school of Arts where she studied visual communications. Now focused on her graphic design Kashmir’s work is influenced heavily by popular and hip hop culture and if you’re a 90s child there is no doubt you’ll feel a nostalgic longing looking at

Who’s Up Next? Jennifer Johns

By robyn

The purity of Jennifer Johns’ voice is never lost within her music. This singer and artist is Oakland born and raised and that Bay Area swagger is present as she performs. Her music is influenced by the African diaspora, hip hop and soul. More than just an entertainer her music speaks to social justice causes and she uses her talent to bring awareness to the issues closest to her heart. It is this commitment to

Who’s Up Next? Tank and the Bangas

By robyn

From the moment we found out about the New Orleans jazz/folk band, Tank and the Bangas, we knew that they needed to be featured as the Next Big Thing. Tank and the Bangas' music is high energy and based off the poetry of lead singer and magnetic on stage personality Tarriona "Tank" Ball. Their music is mesmerizing and the sonic embodiment of the New Orleans music scene. While describing the music, Next Big Thing host,

Who’s Up Next? Danielle Pinnock

By robyn

Danielle Pinnock's one woman show Body/Courage began as a Master's dissertation - a documentary theater piece. It turned into something much bigger than that. Body/Courage took Danielle from the Birmingham School of Acting in the UK to New York where she won "Best Actress" at the Strawberry Theater Festival and finally to Chicago.Since moving to Chicago Danielle Pinnock has understudied at the Goodman Theatre, acted in shows at Profiles Theatre and have had the amazing