What were you doing as a child? Probably not running your own company or taking classes at the local college. We’ve gathered a list of some of the most exceptional black children in the United States and abroad. Prepare to be amazed.
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1. Adam Kirby, prodigy
At 23 months, Adam potty-trained himself after reading a book on the subject. By 29 months he was high-IQ society Mensa’s youngest male member.
2. Anala Beevers, prodigy
Anala learned the alphabet by 4 months and numbers in Spanish by 18 months. She is also a member of Mensa.
3. Thessalonika Arzu-Embry, prodigy
Thessalonika has been attending college since age 11 and carries a 3.9 GPA.
4. Taranza McKelvin Jr., drum major
At the age of 5, Taranza led the Battle of the Bands in South Florida’s Muck Bowl.
5. Diamond Shakoor, chess player
Diamond began playing chess at the age of 7. By age 8 she was the youngest African-American female to go undefeated in a national chess competition.
6. Ezekiel Stoddard, ordained minister
At age 11 Ezekial became an ordained minister, but he’s been preparing sermons since he was at least 7 or 8.
7. Carson Huey-You, college student
By the age of 2, Carson could read chapter books. By age 5 he was attending high school, and at age 11 he became the youngest student ever to attend Texas Christian University.
8. Richard Turere, inventor
A resident of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, Richard invented a way to protect his family’s cattle without harming lions.
9. Zora Ball, game programmer
At the age of 7, Zora became the youngest person to create a mobile video game.
10. Jonah Rocks, drummer
Jonah started playing drums at the age of 3. Since his YouTube debut, he has played with Travis Barker of Blink 182, Branden Steineckert of Rancid and Jay Weinberg of Against Me.
11. Robby Novak (Kid President), comedian, entertainer, professional pep talker
Robby, who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, became a YouTube sensation when his Kid President pep-talk video went viral. He has since met President Obama and spoken at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, among other things.
12. Sujari Britt, cellist
After beginning her cellist career at the age of 4, Sujari had her first solo recital at age 5.
13. Kioni “Popcorn” Marshall, poet
Kioni’s poems explore themes of alienation, abuse and loneliness. She has performed dozens of times at various acclaimed venues, including the famed Nuyorican Poets Cafe. And she is not even 14 years old yet.
14. Andrew Koonce, violinist
As an eighth-grader, Andrew won the Maestro Award for best solo at Florida’s Heritage Music Festival. Recently he was awarded the title of chief concertmaster for the Georgia All State 6th-8th Grade Orchestra.
15. Moziah Bridges, entrepreneur
Moziah has been sewing bow ties since his grandmother showed him at age 9. He now has his own company and runs a scholarship fund to help send kids to summer camp.
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