Championing The Unsung Heroes

This is the September 26th issue of the ForbesBLK newsletter, dedicated to elevating and empowering the world’s top Black entrepreneurs, leaders and investors. Delivered every Thursday straight to your inbox, it’s a must-read for those looking to stay inspired. Click here to get on the newsletter list!

Hey FobesBLK, Ayisha Mendez here.

How many of you grew up watching Unsung, the award-winning documentary series that highlights legendary music artists from the last 50 years? Despite their popularity, these iconic soul figures never became household names. We’re talking about music groups like The Spinners, The Whispers, and singers, including the late Teddy Pendergrass and Donny Hathaway.

Their stories were often untold – until now.

On Monday, ForbesBLK members and Forbes CEO Mike Federle joined Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece for The Founders Tour of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame during the Forbes Under 30 Summit. It’s one of the top museums in the country and celebrates decades of Black music. The Walk of Fame sits on the banks of the Ohio River and is less than a mile from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. JAMEL TOPPIN FOR FORBES
“It wasn’t just a tour,” ForbesBLK member and attendee Dr. Cynthia Videau says. “It was a celebration of Black music and culture.”
Attendees took a deep dive into the history of the Ohio River, which played a crucial role in the historic Underground Railroad that helped thousands of enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. The river also served as a barrier between slavery and free states, marking the first stop on many African Americans’ perilous journey to Canada.

However, contrary to popular belief, the Underground Railroad was not a series of hidden passageways but a network of conductors. Individuals like Rev. Jon Rankin, who risked their lives to provide others a chance at freedom. According to Freedom Center, Rankin’s family sheltered over 2,000 runaways in their Liberty Hill home that overlooks the Ohio River. Many others intentionally kept their identities hidden to avoid conflict. But today, we can recognize them among the unsung heroes of the country’s history.
Reece shared the vision of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, was inspired by her late mother, singer Barbara Howard. She recalled the challenging times as “many Black artists and musicians struggled to be recognized,” primarily due to racism. It promoted Reece to champion the untold legacies of Black artists to inspire future generations of talent.
Reece’s mission to celebrate unsung heroes in Black music matches our mission with our first ever list. Earlier this month, we announced nominations are open for the annual ForbesBLK 50 List that will recognize individuals the world needs to know.
Submit your nominations here.
Until next time, stay connected with me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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