Inspiring America
Celebrating remarkable individuals who remind us of the healing power of community and connection after a battle-tested year.
Extraordinary Americans honored for inspiring work, communities
More from Inspiring America
More inspiring Americans
Temple fencing coach Nikki Franke has been inspiring athletes for 50 years
Title IX was signed into law 50 years ago this week. That same year, Nikki Franke started Temple University's varsity women's fencing team. Franke, the only female African American head coach in Division I fencing, has an impressive record – nearly 900 wins – but her impact on athletes is the true measure of her success. She tells NBC News' Stephanie Gosk that "we have done a lot" for progress on gender equality in college sports, "but there's still a lot to do."



Fifth-grader with alopecia creates nonprofit to send painting kits to children’s hospitals
Rosie Quinn has alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes one’s hair to fall out. Growing up, people kept asking why she had no hair. Rosie’s mother would print paintings on headscarves for her, which led to the beginning of the nonprofit “Coming Up Rosies.” Rosie and her family assemble kits of paint, brushes, canvases, and anything needed to create head scarves to distribute to children’s hospitals. Rosie’s message: “Bald is beautiful.”


New exhibition at the National Gallery of Art gives viewers global journey through Black history
Curator Kanitra Fletcher says the mission of “Afro-Atlantic Histories,” a new exhibition at the National Gallery of art in Washington, is to ensure “people understand that work by Black diasporic people is just as treasured and important as the European art that you see.” It includes over 130 works taking viewers through a global journey from slavery to emancipation and civil rights. NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor speaks to art students about its impact on them.


Baby giraffe able to walk with the help of human orthopedic group
When baby giraffe Msituni was born in February, veterinarians at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park discovered that the little giraffe suffered from a range of ailments, including hyper-extended joints. The Hanger Clinic, a group specializing in building orthotics for humans, performed two procedures to fabricate a mold of Msituni’s leg and create a custom stainless steel brace. After wearing the brace for ten days, Msituni can now roam free.


Kids learn how to fish and more from inspiring Florida program
In Florida, “Big Will” Dunn mentors young fishermen through “Take A Kid Fishing,” a program that teaches kids, all of whom have either lost their father or don’t have an active father figure, how to fish. Dunn had a great relationship with his father and decided he wanted to share the experience with those that don’t have it.


Non-profit finds housing for patient’s family
When baby Oliver Huffman needed medical care, Pam and Harvey Lodish opened their Boston home to his family through Hospitality Homes, a non-profit that matches patients’ families with volunteer hosts. Since the program started, they’ve helped more than 37,000 families. Years later, Oliver’s aunt is now running the Boston marathon, dedicating each mile to the organization.

