Kids ask: Who are influential African Americans?

First-graders in Maria Barba's dual language class at MacArthur Elementary School in Hoffman Estates asked: "Who are the African Americans who are making a difference in the world today?"

Topping the list of African-Americans making a difference is President Barack Obama, the first black president in our nation's history. President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

Other African-Americans who are making a difference are media personality Oprah Winfrey, four-star Army General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell and jazz great Wynton Marsalis.

DePaul University Assistant Professor of Political Science Christina Rivers adds these names to the list of African-Americans who have undertaken some remarkable efforts to create change:

• Will Allen. He's a former pro-basketball player, a farmer and CEO of Growing Power Inc., a not-for-profit organization that teaches people in poor, urban areas how to grow produce. The farm projects are designed to build leadership in impoverished communities and bring healthy food to these areas. Access to healthy food can hopefully reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes, a major health issue in the black community. Based out of Milwaukee, Growing Power Inc. has workshops and tours in Milwaukee and Chicago and is branching out to sites across the United States. Allen's vision has brought him recognition as a MacArthur fellow. See www.growingpower.org for more information.

• Seun Adebiyi. At only 26 years old, Nigerian-born Adebiyi has accomplished quite a lot, but now his life is in jeopardy as he struggles with two forms of cancer. In order to survive, Adebiyi needs a bone-marrow transplant. The bone marrow registry has very few black donors, and the biggest chance for recovery comes from donors of like race or relatives. While undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Adebiyi is attempting to register 10,000 black and Nigerian donors. Adebiyi, a competitive swimmer, also is training for the 2014 Winter Olympics as a Nigerian skeleton athlete. See dkmsamericas.org for information on how you can help.

•Beverly Wright. She's giving Louisiana residents the tools to fight for clean air, water and soil and her organization has provided support for post-Katrina cleanup efforts. Wright is director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in New Orleans. No one is considered too young to help clean the environment - the Center provides lesson plans for grades K-6 and trains teachers to bring the message of community awareness about the environment. Wright recently was recognized with the National Heinz Award for her leadership in the area of environmental justice. Learn more about the Center's accomplishments at dscej.org.

Check these outThe Schaumburg Township District Library suggests these titles on notable African-Americans:bull; "Tiki Barber All-Pro On and Off the Field," by Tom Needham;bull;"Sheryl Swoopes," by Karen Schweitzer;bull; Web site for Olympic speed skater and Evanston native Shani Davis: shanidavis.orgReaders might also like this title:bull;"The African-American Century: How Black Americans Have Shaped Our Country," by Henry Louis Gates Jr.