The 56 Most Intriguing Blacks Of 2001

Ebony, Nov, 2001

THE list of the 56 most intriguing African-Americans includes a nuclear engineer who invented top toy of the year, an author who made Scarlett O'Hara turn over in her fictional grave, a preacher who fills football stadiums, a rap star who died five years ago, and three stunning young women who are virtually unknown individually although they had--collectively--the biggest year ever for a girl singing group.

The list also includes the Sisters of the Year, who became the first siblings featured in the final of a grand slam tennis tournament since 1884, and the son and godson of baseball legends who created his own legend with a year for the record books.

Lonnie G. Johnson, Alice Randall, Bishop T. D. Jakes, the Williams Sisters, Barry Bonds, Tupac Shakur, and Destiny's Child--who were everywhere in 2001 and

on every cover and lip--made our 56th anniversary list, along with perennials like Halle Berry, who disrobed discreetly, and Michael Jordan, who answered a comeback question that sports fan will be debating for years. There are additionally some surprising choices, such as Surgeon General David Satcher, whose prescription for the nation's sexual ills broke new ground and riled ultraconservatives, and Stanley O'Neal, who was named president of the nation's biggest brokerage firm.

Like the 55 persons cited on our 55th anniversary, the 56 intriguing Blacks of 2001 challenge our imagination and make us ask: Who are they, really, and what makes them run?

DESTINY'S CHILD

DESTINY'S CHILD, the musical phenomenon made up of Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, had what was perhaps the biggest year ever for a girl singing group and seemed in 2001 to be ubiquitous: on radio, in videos, on the news, in movies, on talk shows, at awards shows, and performing in arenas around the world.

To make things even more interesting, lead singer Beyonce, who has been cited on almost all most beautiful lists, scored as an actress in a major TV production.

The singers are only 20, still children to some, but are role models for millions of young girls and heartthrobs for legions of young men. Managed by Mathew Knowles and his wife, Tina, they have managed to keep their private lives private, although it is known that they are dating.

Having scaled the heights defined by the Supremes and other singing groups, Destiny's Child seems destined to rewrite the books on the limitations and possibilities of women singing groups.

VENUS EBONE WILLIAMS

SHE could possibly be the best female to ever play the game of tennis. Towering at 6-foot-2, Venus Ebone Starr Williams is at the top of her game, having won back-to-back U.S. Open and Wimbledon championships.

With her sister Serena, she has single-handedly energized the lackluster sport of women's tennis and has rewritten the history books in the process. Teenage boys, Black and White, swoon over the champion, who is reportedly dating her former bodyguard. The hottest sports commodity since Tiger Woods, she is being besieged by accolades and endorsement deals.

By winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and by handily defeating the best women players in the world, Venus silenced the criticism that some tennis commentators directed at the Williams family. Summing up her recent triumphs, she said: "I guessed I've graduated to a different level where I can be like some of the greats."

SERENA WILLIAMS

SHE could possibly be the best female player ever--if she could get by her big sister. At 5-foot-10, Serena Williams is close to the top of her game, a fact that she proved once again by beating some of the best women, players en route to the dramatic U.S. Open final, which Venus won 6-2, 6-4.

As a former U.S. Open champion, Serena is, like Venus, a style-setter who attracts attention with her hair styles (now blonde) and her tennis outfits.

She is again, like Venus, being besieged with endorsement deals. And it was noted at the U.S. Open championships that she and her sister attract more Black celebrities than any other sports celebrity.

Only 20, Serena is on the side of the sun. When she lost to Venus at the U.S. Open, she said in so many words that time is on her side, adding: "I'm young."

STANLEY O'NEAL

A 49-year-old executive who grew up poor in the rural South, E. Stanley O'Neal was named president and chief operating officer and CEO heir apparent at Merrill Lynch & Company, the country's largest brokerage firm.

O'Neal is noted on Wall Street for his cool demeanor and has a reputation as an astute manager who is adept at cutting costs and raising profits.

Reared on a farm in Alabama, he worked his way through college and went on to the Harvard Business School. He worked at General Motors in finance before joining Merrill Lynch in 1986 and beginning his rise to the top.

He is slated to become Merrill Lynch's chief executive officer in three years. As one of Wall Street's few senior African-American executives, O'Neal is an intriguing example of how resourcefulness, hard work and a good education can help overcome the barriers of race and money--even in the golden corridors of Wall Street.