Lopez Lomong, Olympic athlete, Sudanese American, African American, and Arab American. Born on January 5, 1985, Lopez Lomong is a South Sudanese-born American track and field athlete. He arrived in the United States at the age of 16 as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and obtained U.S. citizenship in 2007.
Lomong secured a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 1500 meters category after qualifying at the United States Olympic track and field trials held in Eugene, Oregon. Notably, he proudly carried the flag for the United States during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
In the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championship, Lomong clinched the title for the 10,000 meters event for the second time, and additionally emerged victorious in the 5000 meters, achieving a rare double in the national championship events for the first time since 2012. Lomong's remarkable journey also includes his first national title win in the 1500 meters at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championship.
Elias Jame Corey: Elias James Corey, an esteemed American organic chemist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1990 for his groundbreaking work in the theory and methodology of organic synthesis, notably in retrosynthetic analysis. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Science in 1988 and the Priestley Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the American Chemical Society, in 2004.
Michael Ellis DeBakey, a renowned cardiac surgeon, revolutionized heart surgeries and pioneered the development of the artificial heart. Serving as Chairman of the Department of Surgery, President, and Chancellor of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, his career spanned nearly eight decades. DeBakey, a pioneer in medicine, continued to practice until his passing in 2008 at the age of 99. Notable achievements include the first successful carotid endarterectomy in 1953 and the introduction of the left ventricular bypass pump, marking significant advancements in cardiovascular surgery.
Raymond H. LaHood, served as both US Congressman and the 16th Secretary of Transportation. In May 2013, legislation proposed renaming a section of Interstate 74 as the Ray LaHood Highway, reflecting his support for the Upgrade 74 project. A portrait of LaHood was unveiled at the Abraham Lincoln U.S. Department of Transportation Building, and in 2016, he was honored as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln. Additionally, the new international terminal at Peoria International Airport was named after him in April 2016.
Rami Malek:Rami Malek, an Egyptian-American actor, clinched the Academy Award for Best Actor for his captivating portrayal in "Bohemian Rhapsody." He notably became the first Coptic-Egyptian to receive an Oscar. Additionally, Malek's stellar performance earned him prestigious accolades including a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award for his role as Freddie Mercury in the same film.
Jelena Noura "Gigi" Hadid, a Palestinian American, has left an indelible mark in the fashion industry as both a model and television personality. Recognized as the International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2016, she boasts a remarkable portfolio with appearances in over 45 international editions of Vogue. Hadid's influential presence has earned her a spot among the esteemed "New Supers" as ranked by Models.com.
Anthony Shadid (September 26, 1968 – February 16, 2012) was a arab american correspondent for The New York Times, based in Baghdad and Beirut. He was celebrated for his fearless reporting and insightful storytelling, earning the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting twice, in 2004 and 2010. Shadid's work during the Iraq War and Arab Spring showcased his profound understanding of the Middle East. His career spanned prestigious publications like The Washington Post, where he humanized the stories of those affected by conflict and upheaval. Tragically, his untimely death in 2012 while reporting in Syria marked the loss of a journalistic luminary.