Meet Black Changemakers Who Are Paving the Way for Future Generations

Since 2005, The Extra Mile monument has celebrated remarkable individuals whose actions and commitment to service have transformed our nation. This one-mile stretch, just blocks from the White House, was created in honor of Points of Light Founder President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush and dedicated to the spirit of service in America. 

The opening dedication ceremony celebrated President Bush and revealed the 33 inducted honorees. It still stands as a permanent representation of the president’s enduring legacy of civic engagement in the United States. It is the only monument in the nation that has been created to honor everyday citizens for the work they’ve done for their country. In Black History Months past, we’ve featured the extraordinary Black changemakers in The Extra Mile who had huge impacts on the world as we now know it, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida Wells-Barnett, William Dubois and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In Black History Months past, we’ve featured extraordinary Black changemakers who had huge impacts on the world as we now know it. This year, we’re showcasing a few of our Daily Point of Light honorees who are making history by creating change in their own communities.

Qu‘Derrick Covington works at Howard University, a world-renowned historically Black university, to ensure that students successfully graduate. He launched The Tulsa Initiative in 2018. Partnering with other organizations, the collective focus was to create an entire generation of men of color entrepreneurs who will inspire and train the next wave of younger entrepreneurs.	Cheryl Ann Wadlington was a 2020 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Awardee. She founded The Evoluer House in 2004, which offers evidence-based empowerment programs for minority girls aged 13 to 18 in financial literacy, resume writing, professional etiquette, sexual health and healthy relationships.	Rwenshaun Miller launched Eustress, Inc. in 2013 to start conversations about mental health, primarily with members of Black and Brown communities. It empowers individuals to take control of their mental health. Rwenshaun works tirelessly to help people achieve healthier and productive lifestyles.

Know a Black changemaker in your community? Nominate them to receive a Daily Point of Light Award during Black History Month as we continue lifting up our civic champions.