To celebrate Black History Month, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will highlight Black Americans who have contributed to the world of public diplomacy. These leaders span across professions, to include diplomats, teachers, artists, and scientists. This week, we are highlighting cultural envoys.
Teneia, Singer and SongwriterAmerican Music Abroad Alum
Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Teneia is an international-touring musician and songwriter, who has seven albums to her credit. She has won multiple awards, had her work featured in television and film, and shared the stage with various critically acclaimed artists. One of Teneia's most prominent pieces, "Stand," earned a placement in the HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi featuring Morgan Freeman. With a career spanning over a decade, Teneia has toured relentlessly throughout the years. Her side project, Heart Society gained recognition through the Sixthman Cayamo music cruise alongside John Prine, Buddy Miller, The War and Treaty, Lee Ann Womack and many more. Heart Society was also selected to perform a three week-long tour on the continent of Africa in April of 2019 by the State Department through American Music Abroad. All while spreading a message of love and equality. Two of Teneia's songs, "Call Somebody" and "Beautiful Mess" were featured in Netflix's, LGBTQ+ show, "Eastsiders' ' in 2019. In 2020, Teneia signed with SonaBLAST! Records for her 7th studio album, BLACK EMPRESS. The album was produced by Mike Minjarez in Nashville, TN. Teneia is currently working on her 8th studio album due out in 2023. Teneia is a visionary with the heart to match. No matter what project she is a part of she always delivers a stellar performance. With folk-soul roots and infectious hooks she teeters on the edge of defining a new sound and genre.
Phaidra Knight, Rugby Player2022 Sports Envoy
Today, we proudly highlight a participant in the ECA’s Sports Envoy program in 2022 (New Zealand) and well-decorated rugby player, Phaidra Knight. As a rugby union footballer, Knight has participated in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup and won All-World Team honors. Knight’s other accolades include USA Rugby’s Player of the Decade in 2010, Board of Trustee member for the Women’s Sports Foundation/USA Rugby Board of Directors and is an inductee into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. But through the Sports Envoy initiative, Phaidra Knight and other envoys lead sports clinics for youth and coaches, along with participating in community outreach activities and leadership skills. Phaidra continues to highlight the importance of gender equality and diversity throughout men and women sports, and we are proud that she is a Sports Envoy alumni.
Mary Cardwell Dawson, Music Pioneer and LegendAmerican Music Abroa
We are enamored to highlight and pay homage to African American music pioneer and legend, Mary Cardwell Dawson. Dawson has always had a passion for music, as she studied music at New England Conservatory of Music. Soon after, Mary Cardwell Dawson founded and opened the National Nego Opera Company. The NNOC, was the first African-American opera company in the United States. Mary continued throughout her life to carve out spaces of African Americans pursuing their music career. Dawson was honored by a play, “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson,” which premiered in New York of 2021.
Denyce Graves, Renowned opera starCultural Ambassor
Denyce Graves represents the best of U.S. cultural diplomacy abroad – receiving critical acclaim for performances across four continents! In 2003, Denyce Graves was appointed as a Cultural Ambassador for the United States, and she now travels around the world under the auspices of the State Department appearing in good-will missions of musical performances, lectures, and seminars. Her first trips in 2003 brought her to Poland, Romania, and Venezuela
Wordsmith, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Actor, Entrepreneur, and PhilanthropistAmerican Music Abroad Ambassador
Wordsmith is a songwriter, recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at Morgan State University, however it was his transfer to Salisbury University that shifted his focus to entertainment. In 2009, he opened his independent label NU Revolution Entertainment. Wordsmith has released eight albums during his career, earned winner of best rap/hip album for perspective jukebox at the 16th Independent Music Awards and joined the Grammy voting committee in 2017. His music has been featured on prominent networks and shows like Russian Doll (Netflix), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), Preacher (AMC) and many more. Continuing to expand his reach, Wordsmith partnered with the U.S. Department of State to fund performances and workshops in Azerbaijan, Haiti, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Angola, Ukraine, Namibia, Cote d'Ivoire, Panama, Tunisia, and Tanzania.
Imani McGee-Stafford, WNBA Player2022 Sports Envoy
Imani McGee-Stafford served as a 2022 Sports Envoy through the U.S. Department of State. She is a WNBA player, abuse survivor, mental health advocate, and poet. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Accounting from The McCombs School of Business. At Texas, she left her name in the record books becoming the first UT women’s basketball player to garner over 1000 points, 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks. She was drafted 10th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft to the Chicago Sky and has since played for the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. She has also played professionally overseas in Turkey, China, Israel, Australia, and Lebanon. While her 6’7” frame made her presence felt on the court, she left her biggest impact off the court when she chose to speak out about her struggles with mental health and overcoming her abusive childhood on SportsCenter in a segment called SC Featured: Her Voice. In college, she stumbled across her life purpose: providing a voice to the silenced. She now takes every opportunity she can to live in her truth and hopefully provide light to those going through or who have been through the same struggles.
Shaquille O’Neal, Former NBA Player2016 Sports Envoy
Shaquille O’Neal served as a 2016 Sports Envoy through the U.S. Department of State. Born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 6, 1972, Shaquille O’Neal is considered to be one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history. At 7 ft 1 in tall and weighing 325 pounds, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality and powerful athleticism have resulted in worldwide adulation and one of the most passionate fan bases in sports and entertainment. O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year NBA career and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Shaquille O’Neal’s off-court accolades rival his athletic accomplishments, having found success in acting, music, television and gaming. Philanthropically, Shaquille’s relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of America dates back to his youth in New Jersey.
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