Azim Khamisa is a peace activist, author, and founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), established after his 20-year-old son, Tariq, was killed by a 14-year-old gang member, Tony Hicks, in 1995. Rather than seeking revenge, Khamisa forgave Hicks and, alongside Hicks’ grandfather, Ples Felix, formed TKF to combat youth violence through education, mentorship, and…
Azim Premji, born on July 24, 1945, is an Indian business tycoon and philanthropist. He transformed his family’s company, Wipro, from a small hydrogenated cooking fat business into a global IT services giant. Under his leadership, Wipro became one of India’s largest and most successful IT firms. Premji is also a notable philanthropist, having established…
Azita Ghanizada (born November 17, 1982) is an Afghan-American actress and producer. She was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. She emigrated to the U.S. as a child because of political unrest in Afghanistan. Ghanizada, of course, is best known for her roles on TV shows, including The Exes, NCIS, and Castle, but she originally made a…
Aziz Ansari, born on February 23, 1983, in Columbia, South Carolina, is an American comedian, actor, and writer. He gained fame with stand-up specials like “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” and his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation. Ansari created and starred in the acclaimed Netflix series Master of None, winning an…
Azran Osman Rani is a notable Malaysian business leader known for his innovative leadership in various industries. He is the founding CEO of AirAsia X, where he transformed it into a leading low-cost carrier. Azran holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford and an MBA from UCLA. He also served as the CEO of…
Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) was a Tunisian-born couturier renowned for his form-fitting designs that celebrated the female form. He studied sculpture in Tunis before moving to Paris in the late 1950s, where he gained a following among the elite. Alaïa’s breakthrough came in the 1980s with his body-hugging silhouettes and innovative use of materials. Known for…
Robin S. Sharma is a Canadian writer, leadership expert, and humanitarian. Born in 1964, he studied law at Dalhousie University and later founded Sharma Leadership International, advising Fortune 500 companies. He is considered one of the world’s top 5 leadership experts and has authored over 15 bestselling books on personal growth, leadership, and achieving one’s…
Sarah Lewis is an associate professor at Harvard University, focusing on African American and Black Atlantic visual representation, racial justice, and representational democracy. She has authored several books, including the acclaimed “The Rise,” and has received numerous awards, such as the Infinity Award for Critical Writing and Research. Lewis is a sought-after public speaker and…
Suze Orman is an American financial advisor, author, television host, and motivational speaker. Born in 1951 in Chicago, she studied social work and worked as a waitress before losing $50,000 to unethical financial advice. This experience led her to become a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and later start her own firm. Orman gained recognition…
Bishop T.D. Jakes is a renowned American non-denominational Christian pastor, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. Born in 1957, he grew up in a strong community and began his ministry in 1979. He founded The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, which has grown to over 30,000 members. Jakes has authored over twenty books and has been recognized…
