New York Fashion Week showed only a handful of collections by established designers of color. But waiting in the wings are a host of young designers poised to storm the runways in seasons to come. From Vogue-mentored designers like LaQuan Smith to reality TV contestants like Jeffery Williams (pictured with Mary J. Blige), this crop of designers has as much spunk and sass as they do style. We took a look at the best of them. Learn who they are...

CNN is gearing up to air a very special documentary about famed Civil Rights photographer Ernest Withers, whom CNN has learned, may have led a secret life. The camera man was on hand to witness some of history's biggest events, including courtroom proceedings of the murder trial of Emmett Till, and Dr. King's last march before his assassination. What makes Withers' story fascinating is the increasing accusation that he may have been an FBI "racial informant..."

BHM: The Black InfluentialsWho's Got Next?Every Black History Month we pay respect to those who have already paved the way to make history. But hardly do we celebrate the young Black women and men who are adding to and changing that very same history. No longer constrained by the boundaries that confined those who came before us, Black culture is moving at the speed of light, and these influentials are part of the change. Whether in fashion, beauty, or entertainment, these young people are determining what is next, and shaping what our future Black history lessons will be. Take a look at 20 Black influencers of the next generation.Terry KennedyAge: 25, The Shot Caller Professional skateboarder Terry Kennedy, not only wrapped the first season of his BET reality series "Being Terry Kennedy," but he's also designer of his own sneaker line, and now plans to venture into music.Kennedy shows Black youth there is room for everyone in the world, even in extreme sports.KeKe PalmerAge: 17, The Girl Next Door Palmer rose to fame with her lead role in the film "Akeelah and the Bee," and since then currently stars on the Disney's "True Jackson, VP." She also sings, and plans to release her sophomore album later this year. Palmer's success so far proves that innocent and age appropriate doesn't have to mean boring.Tristan WildsAge: 21, The Crossover Originally a cast member of HBO's "The Wire," Tristan Wilds went from an introspective street kid to everyone's favorite boy next door on CW's "90210." Wilds is serious about his craft, and is an example of what can be achieved when Hollywood ceases to typecast Black actors.Raven SymoneAge: 25, The Triple Threat Raven first came into our living rooms as precocious Olivia on "The Cosby Show." As a teen, the singer, dancer, actor graduated to the wildly popular TV shows, "That's So Raven" and "The Cheetah Girls," and as an adult, she's making a name for herself by sharpening her skills behind the camera and starring in films like "Road Trip." Look out for Symone in the lead role of "The Great State of Georgia," a sitcom on ABC.Jurnee SmolletAge: 24,The Thoughtful Thespian Smollet, who started as a 10 -year-old tyke in the 1997 film, "Eve Bayou," grew up right in front of eyes. Her roles on the critically-acclaimed TV series "Friday Night Lights," and "The Defenders," has us waiting to see how big the win will be for Smollet.Amber RileyAge: 25, The Musical Protege Known as the diva on FOX's hit series "Glee," Amber Riley also graces our pages this month channeling the legendary Chaka Khan. With every award she has received for her outstanding work in both film and music, Riley continues to influence and challenge Hollywood's theory of image over talent.Willow and Jaden SmithAge: 10 and 13, The Whiz Kids Willow Smith, 10, put more than a few of us in neck braces when her smash hit "Whip My Hair," was released late last year. Her 13-year-old brother Jaden also had everyone's attention after his movie "The Karate Kid" grosses some $358 million at the box office. Born into a family of talent, the Smith children show that age is never a limit to success and influence.Natasha EubanksAge: 27, The Business Blogger If you're a Black entertainment gossip junkie, chance are you're already aware of who Natasha Eubanks is.In just few years, one key stroke at a time, her blog Theybf.com has become one of the most popular entertainment sites in the blogsphere. Entertaining us with her witty voice, and known for breaking the Black buzz first, Natasha influences our perception of favorite celebrities on a daily basis.Nicki MinajAge: 25,The Word Chef In a matter of months Nicki Minaj went from underground artist to one of the most talked about artist of the year. The only female rapper currently enjoys success on the charts, Nicki Minaj carries the weight of women in hip hop on her curvaceous frame.Her influence on today's youth is evident in music, fashion.Janelle MonaeAge: 25, The Style Icon Janelle Monae is recognized for her eccentric futuristic pop sound, but it's hard to ignore her eclectic style. Monae's style is timeless, and her music that much more influential.Gaius CharlesAge: 27, The Heart Throb As the stars of NBC's "Friday Night Lights," Charles is one of the more understated young Black actors in Hollywood. Featured in roles in box office hits, "Takers" and "Salt," last year Charles says he has been influenced by the great Sidney Poitier. With the same great looks, ambition, charm, and swag-the influence is evident.Misty CopelandAge: 28, The Ballerina The first African-American soloist for the American Ballet, Copeland continually faces the pressures of being one of the few brown faces at the top of her game in dance.Tessa ThompsonAge: 27, The Stage Stopper Most of the world became familiar with Tessa Thompson, former Veronica Mars cast member, when she played in Tyler Perry's film adaptation of "For Colored Girls," in 2010. The actress is slated in for two films set to release in 2012, and delivers memorable performances every time.Joan SmallsAge: 22, The Siren This Puerto Rican model is as beautiful as they come. She's only 22 and making waves in the fashion world. She's walked the runways for Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior and more, and recently became the second Black model to become the face of Estee Lauder. We're going to be seeing this lovely face for a very long time.Zora HowardAge: 18, The Storyteller Not to many young women from Harlem, can say they are undergrads at Yale University, NYC's first Youth Poet Laureate, and poetry SLAM winner, but Zora Howard can. Howard's thought-provoking words, delivered with such conviction makes it easy to forget she's still a teenager.Evan RossAge: 23, The Unassuming Actor Diana Ross' youngest son is making moves all on his own. In 2006 he starred in "ATL" alongside Big Boi and T.I. Since then he landed a role in "Pride" and a recurring role in "90210." He's also starring in the indie film, "Mooz-lum." We can't to see what the future holds for Evan.SolangeAge: 25 The Tress Trendsetter Back when we knew Solange Knowles as Beyonce's micro-braided kid sister, following behind her at MTV TRL appearances, we had no clue she'd become a bona fide hair trendsetter! In 2010 alone, the singer/actress/DJ rocked four different hairstyles, and she's almost single-handedly responsible for the resurgence of the super-short natural.Jay PharaohAge: 23, The Ingenue Jay Pharaoh made news when it was announced last year he would be first Black person in seven years and the youngest member ever to join the cast of NBC comedic sketch series, "Saturday Night Live."Pharaoh, a viral sensation who made a name for himself on YouTube doing impressions of well-known Black actors and comedians, including actor Denzel Washington and Eddie Murphy has made a home on SNL and influences us with much need laughter.LaQuan SmithAge: 22, The Runway Ripper LeQuan Smith has a position in fashion that most people would covet. He has designed custom pieces for everyone from Gaga and Beyonce, and was given the opportunity to show the world his garments at at NYC's Fashion Week last year. His fiercely relentless drive, proves hard work always pays off.

Fashion Week is just around the corner, and the industry will be debuting the best they have to offer. In 2011, that best also includes a slew of designers of color, from icons like Stephen Burrows to established designers like Tracy Reese (pictured), to rising stars like Mataano. Let's take a moment to review the designers, and why you'd want to sit front-row at their shows!

In honor of Black History Month, I researched the history of marriage within the African-American community. What I found both surprised and encouraged me. We have all heard the popular notion that slavery was a primary culprit in devaluing the institution of marriage within the African-American community. However, research from Dr. Tera Hunter, Center for African-American Studies at Princeton University, provides very strong evidence to debunk that myth...

The discovery of slave quarters on the grounds of an infamous plantation led ESSENCE and a group of bold genealogists to a descendant of extraordinary ancestors. Robin D. Stone follows the search and links our past, present and future...