Planned Parenthood Honors 99 Dream Keepers for Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month, Planned Parenthood is honoring 99 African-American leaders in media, social justice, entertainment, politics and other fields who are pushing the nation towards a more "equal and just society" and who are also health advocates.
The special series will honor 99 Dream Keepers to represent the number of years Planned Parenthood has been in existence. Chairman and CEO of BET Debra L. Lee is featured as one of many "Powerplayers" on the list.
Honorees are also celebrated in the categories of Doers, Tastemakers, Storytellers, Defenders and Gatekeepers. "Doers" who are mentioned are involved in social change, such as the founders of #BlackLivesMatter, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. Sen. Cory Booker is listed as one of the hardest working defenders who speak up for equality in our country.
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"The Storytellers" highlighted include Vanessa K. De Luca, the editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, journalist Mychal Denzel Smith and BET.com's health reporter Kellee Terell. The selected also include novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, actor and activist Jesse Williams and Being Mary Jane star Gabrielle Union, among others.
The organization is looking to move into the future with its movement for reproductive freedom by partnering with young Black women and men. "We are working hard to end racial health disparities and for the community to be the healthiest it can be," the Planned Parenthood site states.
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(Photos from left: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)