The Stimulist's 7 People to Watch

See why these seven people need your attention.

Wes Moore Investment Banker/ Ret. Army Capt. - If 30-year-old “Wes,” as he’s known to friends, does not become the second Black president, it’ll only be because he chose not to. His story is no less inspiring than his credentials are impeccable. In brief: gets kicked out of school and shipped off to military academy at 12, turns the beat around in under a decade, graduates Phi Beta Kappa from Hopkins, snags a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, does a tour of duty in Afghanistan, investment banks before winning a White House Fellowship.

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Wes Moore Investment Banker/ Ret. Army Capt. - If 30-year-old “Wes,” as he’s known to friends, does not become the second Black president, it’ll only be because he chose not to. His story is no less inspiring than his credentials are impeccable. In brief: gets kicked out of school and shipped off to military academy at 12, turns the beat around in under a decade, graduates Phi Beta Kappa from Hopkins, snags a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, does a tour of duty in Afghanistan, investment banks before winning a White House Fellowship.

Angelique Cinelu Singer - Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Angelique Cinelu, 27, the prep-schooled singer and daughter of revered jazz drummer Mino Cinelu found success modeling and acting before joining the family business. The R&B songstress released her first single, “Excuse Me,” in 2006. Angelique has all the makings of a music sensation: the sultry voice, the stunning good looks, the famous papa. Best of all? Like Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys (both honors grads) before her, this beauty’s got a brain.

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Angelique Cinelu Singer - Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Angelique Cinelu, 27, the prep-schooled singer and daughter of revered jazz drummer Mino Cinelu found success modeling and acting before joining the family business. The R&B songstress released her first single, “Excuse Me,” in 2006. Angelique has all the makings of a music sensation: the sultry voice, the stunning good looks, the famous papa. Best of all? Like Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys (both honors grads) before her, this beauty’s got a brain.

Brandon Walters Actor - Brandon Walters' story is classic rags-to-riches (or slums-to-studio, as it were). Raised in an indigenous community in Western Australia, Walters, 14, had never visited the capital—and had only seen a few movies—when he was spotted by casting directors for the movie "Australia". He was flown to Sydney to meet the movie's director, Baz Luhrmann (late of "Moulin Rouge")—et voila. A star was born.

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Brandon Walters Actor - Brandon Walters' story is classic rags-to-riches (or slums-to-studio, as it were). Raised in an indigenous community in Western Australia, Walters, 14, had never visited the capital—and had only seen a few movies—when he was spotted by casting directors for the movie "Australia". He was flown to Sydney to meet the movie's director, Baz Luhrmann (late of "Moulin Rouge")—et voila. A star was born.

Rama Yade Secretary for Human Rights - Nicolas Sarkozy called her “my Condi Rice”—but we think she’s more like the French Barack Obama. 32-year-old Rama Yade landed a federal government post in her early 30s, leading some to think France’s Senegalese-born Secretary for Human Rights harbors ambitions beyond the cabinet. Yade has the ingredients to get there: ambition, youth, and a physical embodiment of change in a country with few elected officials of color.

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Rama Yade Secretary for Human Rights - Nicolas Sarkozy called her “my Condi Rice”—but we think she’s more like the French Barack Obama. 32-year-old Rama Yade landed a federal government post in her early 30s, leading some to think France’s Senegalese-born Secretary for Human Rights harbors ambitions beyond the cabinet. Yade has the ingredients to get there: ambition, youth, and a physical embodiment of change in a country with few elected officials of color.

Bryant Terry Vegan Chef and Activist - Bryant Terry, 35, likes to remind people that “soul food,” started as local, organic and sustainable—terms we’re now more likely to associate with Trader Joe’s than Amy Ruth’s. Terry, a vegan food activist, wants to bring the growing movement of health and eco-conscious food back to its (low-income) roots by using "cooking as a tool to illuminate the intersections between poverty, structural racism, and food insecurity.”

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Bryant Terry Vegan Chef and Activist - Bryant Terry, 35, likes to remind people that “soul food,” started as local, organic and sustainable—terms we’re now more likely to associate with Trader Joe’s than Amy Ruth’s. Terry, a vegan food activist, wants to bring the growing movement of health and eco-conscious food back to its (low-income) roots by using "cooking as a tool to illuminate the intersections between poverty, structural racism, and food insecurity.”

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David Adjaye Architect - In a field traditionally dominated by Western Europeans, West African architect David Adjaye is a bit of an exception. He’s also downright exceptional. When the New York Times reported on April 15th that Adjaye had been chosen to design America’s first-ever National Museum of African American History, we were overjoyed—and unsurprised. His resume includes the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, and the Idea Stores in London among others.

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David Adjaye Architect - In a field traditionally dominated by Western Europeans, West African architect David Adjaye is a bit of an exception. He’s also downright exceptional. When the New York Times reported on April 15th that Adjaye had been chosen to design America’s first-ever National Museum of African American History, we were overjoyed—and unsurprised. His resume includes the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, and the Idea Stores in London among others.

Adrian Fenty Mayor of Washington, D.C. - In January 2007, Adrian Fenty became D.C.’s youngest ever mayor at 36. The photogenic son of a black father and Italian mother, he beat out long-time District heavy Linda Cropp. Some of Fenty’s actions since have been wrapped in controversy (such as a couple of questionable overseas trips and his decision to bring the city’s school system under his control- while leaving his sons in private school), but we’re hoping this bright young thing lives up to his promise.

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Adrian Fenty Mayor of Washington, D.C. - In January 2007, Adrian Fenty became D.C.’s youngest ever mayor at 36. The photogenic son of a black father and Italian mother, he beat out long-time District heavy Linda Cropp. Some of Fenty’s actions since have been wrapped in controversy (such as a couple of questionable overseas trips and his decision to bring the city’s school system under his control- while leaving his sons in private school), but we’re hoping this bright young thing lives up to his promise.