JUST B.E.
Your All-Access Pass to a Celebration of Black Excellence
Black Excellence runs deeper than a skin tone or ethnicity. It's in the veins. It's a mindset. It's a movement. It's a single mama who goes above and beyond. It's someone's gay son. It's you. It's me. And Just B.E. is a page dedicated to that Black Excellence in all its forms both beautiful and bold. This page is an unapologetic celebration of the proud, the Black and the excellent. .
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
Check out our teen-driven tidbits about Black History. We highlight some of the most influential, yet lesser known brothers and sisters who have made Black history.
CHRIS CONNER
Educator and Teen Advocate
Chris is an educator and youth advocate who is driven by a mission to improve education equity in the public-school system and cultural representation and inclusion in the world of conservation education. Chris was the first Black educator to lead an award-winning program at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for at-risk teens. Through his work, Chris has helped 50+ African American and Hispanic teens amassed over $750,000 in college scholarships, gained global recognition for their work in youth advocacy and led the program to new award-winning heights including earning the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) 2017 Significant Achievement in Diversity Award, 2 North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 30 Under 30 Global Awards, 2019 Jax Teen Champion Award for this website WILD Success as well as the 2019 First Coast News 12 Who Care Community Service Award that recognizes the unsung heroes of the city.
MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE
Educator and Civil Rights Activist
Mary McLeod Bethune was a civil rights activist most known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, FL. She also co-founded UNCF on April 25th, 1994 along with William Trent and Frederick Patterson. Bethune collected donations and volunteers to develop Bethune Cookman University. In addition to her many accomplishments, she was appointed as a national adviser to President Roosevelt in his Black cabinet. She was known as “The First Lady of the Struggle” because of her commitment to gain equal education for African-Americans.
ITODO ANTHONY
Educator and Philanthropist
Itodo Anthony is the founder of the New Frontiers Youth Forum in Nigeria which was created to raise young leaders into positive change agents for their community. Mr. Anthony also created a community library to supply students with study materials and study space. Mr. Anthony received a master’s degree in the U.K. upon his return many people questioned why he would return home. Mr. Anthony believed “this was apart of his mission – to elevate the teaching profession is a noble one” as stated in his biography. Mr. Anthony is currently in the running for a 1-million-dollar prize that will be used to elevate his program.