Just in time for Valentine’s Day ladies, we’ve got you covered. Mix #BlackHistoryMonth with the day of love and you get The Virgo Girl’s list of gentlemen to watch.
From Inspiring to Funny, to Talented and Poetic, these guys all have some form of inspiration to offer.
Here’s our list of 14 inspiring black men to follow.
1. Rob Hill Sr.
Rob Hill Sr. is full of inspiration and advice. Known as the #HeartHealer, Hill went from homeless to national inspiration, especially among the ladies. Hill, who has found love with R&B singer Letoya Lockett, shares the message of the importance of love and living life. Hill recently wrapped up a tour called Wounds 2 Wisdom, with social media maven Karen Civil, which spoke about love, relationships, life, and following your purpose.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
2. Derrick Jaxn
Derrick Jaxn was a lifestyle blogger who used his platform to showcase his writing talent. Through his words and stories he was able to relate to others. Even if you visit his previous blog site with the last entry from 2013, you can find posts such as “Real Men Cuddle” and “Daddy’s Little Girl” that speak about how fathers treats girl will it hinder their future relationships and “Why Men Don’t Want to Get Married.” Naturally, with titles such as these and coming from a male perspective, his site would have a lot of traffic. These are all questions/topics women want to know about. His blog heightened his popularity so much so that the release of his first book, A Cheating Man’s Heart, was highly anticipated. Now he is one of the most influential men of his generation and shows no signs of slowing down. #SelfLoveAmbassador
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
3. Antoine Harris
You may know Antoine Harris as the scary-sexy actor Ahm in the VH1 movie The Breaks, who spoke with eye contact and facial expressions. The less he spoke the more he said. Harris, also starring in HBO’s Ballers, is an extremely talented actor and rapper and we look forward to seeing him more on-screen and hearing more of his music. We actually had the opportunity to catch up with Harris for an interview that will be coming later this month. #Staytuned to learn more about the guy behind Ahm.
Connect with him on IMDB, Twitter and Instagram
4. Marc W. Polite
We had the opportunity to meet Marc W. Polite at the Harlem Book Fair where he attended as a blogger and author. Polite is an awesomely talented New York–based writer. Aside from running Polite on Society, he speaks on history, labor, and technology issues; Polite is a self-published author. If you’re looking for society-based topics that will make you think, Polite on Society is the place to go.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
5. Correll Stanfield
A viral success, like Father, like Son, Correll Stanfield, a popular barber in Baltimore, posted a pic of himself and his dad while shopping in an Atlanta mall, that said, “Pops looks more like my brother.” The pic instantly went viral of handsome duo, being retweeted over 17,000 times with 23,000 favorites. Billy Stanfield, Correll’s father, is a happily married pastor who says the instant Internet fame was unexpected, but plans to use the fame to do good. #TheStanfield duo has graced the Steve Harvey show and recently spoke at Success Academy to empower youth.
Connect with him on Twitter and Instagram
6. Teddy Ruks
VH1 Black Ink Crew cast member Teddy Ruks has something beyond what you see on the show. Not everyone may see it but we do. He’s sweet, humble, assertive, and keeps it straight to the point. Ruks also has a huge love for sneakers. “Sneakerhead” doesn’t even come close to describing him—just scroll through his Instagram page. We’re going to keep watching Ruks because eventually his love for sneakers (passion) will turn into profit. Do we see a sneaker store or collaboration in the works?
Connect with him on Twitter and Instagram
7. Kareem Nelson
Kareem Nelson is a true gem. On Father’s Day 1995 Nelson was shot by a rival dealer and left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. After his release from prison he wanted to change his life and teach youth a better way to deal with violence, gangs, and bullying. Hence, the birth of Wheelchairs Against Guns (W.A.G.). W.A.G. travels to inner-city schools and neighborhoods teaching children and adults about the negative effects of violence. #stoptheviolence
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
8. Corey S. Taylor
Dedicated fitness trainer Corey Taylor gained over sixty pounds to walk in a client’s shoe for four months. Documented on A&E’s Fit to Fat to Fit, the program pushed Taylor to do the hardest thing he has ever done. Taylor, founder of Fitness As a Lifestyle, LLC, in Atlanta offers personal training sessions, boot camps, and a variety of other training to make fitness simple and convenient. Taylor even offers virtual training for people who aren’t in the Atlanta area. This is one dedicated trainer you want on your side.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
9. Chase Reed
Teenpreneur Chase Reed turned his love for sneakers into a business. With his dad helping him, he opened a Harlem-based pawnshop exclusively for sneakers, Sneaker Pawn USA. Reed sold his 200 pairs of basketball sneakers worth a whopping $30,000 and created a start-up. Sell, shop, or pawn, this teen is setting a great example for the younger generation.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
10. Andre McDonnell
It’s not often that you hear about someone giving the shoes off their feet to a homeless man, especially in New York City. Not only did Andre McDonnell give a man his shoes after an event he was attending in SoHo, but It’s From the Sole was born. It’s From the Sole is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 that distributes sneakers, socks, and outerwear to those in need. To date, McDonnell and the It’s From the Sole team have given 10,000 sneakers to the homeless of NYC, NJ, Philly, Seattle and Haiti.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
11. Moziah Bridges
Moziah Bridges created Mo’s Bows to make people feel and look good. Bridges handcrafts and designs his own bow ties. Making an appearance on Shark Tank, Bridges didn’t land a deal but walked away with a mentorship from FUBU founder Daymond John. Just another teenpreneur sensation making his dreams come true, “at any age”. Passion turns profit.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
12. Keraun Harris
Keraun Harris is the handsome social media phenomenon who has used platforms such as Instagram and Vine to promote himself. Starting his career in 2013, he now has a following of over 3.5 million among all his social networks. Using the fifteen-second video limit from Instagram to his advantage, Harris creates funny, catchy content. His social stardom has opened doors to expand his brand into hosting parties, and working with Disney’s Maker Studios on distributing his content. Harris, a former felon, is now a YouTube star.
Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
13. Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Twenty-three-year-old Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a forward player for the NBA Development League’s Westchester Knicks. Antetokounmpo landed a ten-day contract to play for the New York Knicks. Aside from being a talented basketball player, he is frequently empowering youth to work hard and stay focused and putting his #familyfirst.
Connect with him on Facebook and Instagram
14. Gerard Kersey
A suit can take a man a long way. Gerard Kersey is founder of That Suits You, a nonprofit created to supply professional clothing to qualified men to help get them back on their feet. Impressions are so important, especially in today’s economy where you are in competition with everyone for everything. You look good, you feel good. My great-grandfather always said a man should have one good suit, two dress shirts and ties. Makes sense if you think about it. The most important events in a man’s life require suits: prom, job interviews, wedding day, that date you’re trying to impress, and so forth. That Suits You, is here to help, providing suits free of charge for prom and graduation to high school seniors or gentlemen needing nice attire to head back into the workforce.