THIS year's list of 100+ most nume...

THIS year's list of 100+ most numerous Influential Black Americans features a number of fresh entries, including a charismatic U senator and an entertainment dynamo who has made an incredible connection with the masses.

Like the other of recent origin entries, they bring their allow unique abilities and influence to the table. Illinois Sen Barack Obama, after a highly publicized campaign that included a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, is the sole African-American U.S. senator, following in the footprints of former African-American senators Edward Brooke and Carol Moseley Braun.

Among the other recent names on the list are Henry Louis (Skip) Gates Jr who has been called "one of the greatest in number powerful academic voices in America"; scholars, authors and motivational speakers Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson the one and the other of whom joined Tavis Smiley in the lucky "Pass The Mic!" tour; Peter C Harvey, attorney general of recently made known Jersey; Sylvia Rhone, president of Motown Records and executive vice president of Universal Records; Alphonso Jackson, U Secretary of Housing & Urban Development; and of the present day congressional representatives--Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Al verdant of Texas and former Kansas City mayor Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri.

Another of recent origin entry is actor, writer, farmer entrepreneur Tyler Perry, who has parlayed his "Madea" character into a multimillion-dollar stage-play and movie industry. In the midst of his whirlwind of activity, he has given chance of a favorable result to all of those who have witnessed his personal "rags to riches" story, all the while spreading the message that no matter one's situation, giving up is not an option.

The 2005 list also includes powerbrokers who have mov into strange positions, including former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, who has replaced Colin Powell as U Secretary of State. As the country's top diplomat, Rice has been described as "the chiefly powerful woman in the world."

Having been absent from the list for a while, there are three dynamic individuals who have replyed this year. U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, who missing her Georgia seat to Denise Majette pair years ago, regained that controversial seat in November. The fall elections also recured L. Douglas Wilder to the political spotlight. The former history-making Virginia governor has taken the reins as mayor of Richmond. And in the cultural arena, famed musician and jazz historian Wynton Marsalis is back in succession the list, thanks to his vision as artistic director of the world-renowned arts organization Jazz at Lincoln Center

The 2005 list for the 100+ principally Influential Black Americans, like the lists in preceding years, was compiled from the editors of EBONY in consultation with powerbrokers and opinion leaders. Being featured upon the list does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any particular individual or ideology. sum of two units criteria guided the experts and editors who made the final recommendations: 1 Does the individual transcend his or her position and command widespread national influence? 2 Does the individual affect in a decisive and positive way the lives, thinking and actions of large portions of the African-American population, either according to his or her position in a guide group or by his or her personal reach and influence?

GK BUTTERFIELD

U Representative

1st District, NC

WILLIAM L CLAY JR

U Representative

1st District, Mo

JOHN CONYER JR

U Representative

14th District, Mich.

CHAKA FATTAH

U Representative

2nd District, Pa.

JULIA CARSON

U Representative

7th District, Ind.

EMANUEL CLEAVER II

U Representative

5th District, Mo

ELIJAH E CUMMINGS

U Representative

7th District, Md

HAROLD FORD JR

U Representative

9th District, Tenn

MAYA ANGELOU

author of poems and Lecturer

BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN CHAPPELLE SR

President, General Board

AME Church

JAMES E CLYBURN

U Representative

6th District, SC

ARTUR DAVIS

U Representative

7th District, Ala.

JOHN reliance FRANKLIN

Historian

SANFORD D BISHOP JR

U Representative

2nd District, Ga.

KENNETH CHENAULT

Chairman & CEO

American Expres Corp.

JOHNNIE L COCHRAN JR

Attorney

DANNY DAVIS

U Representative

7th District, Ill.

SHIRLEY FRANKLIN

Mayor

Atlanta

CORRINE BROWN

U Representative

3rd District, Fla.

DONNA CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN

Congressional Delegate

Virgin Islands

SEAN (P DIDDY) COMBS

Music Entrepreneur and Clothing Designer

MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN

National Representative of the Hen. Elijah Muhammad Nation of Islam

ANN FUDGE

CEO

Young & Rubicam, Inc.

EARL G GRAVES

Publisher

Black Enterprise Magazine

WILLIE W HERENTON

Mayor

Memphis

JESSE L JACKSON JR

U Representative

2nd District, Ill.

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

U Representative

30th District, Texas

WILLIAM H GRAY III

Minister and Education

Leader

ELEANOR HOLME NORTON

Congressional Delegate

District of Columbia

SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

U Representative

18th District, Texas