Black female celebrities have made major contributions to the entertainment industry and popular culture. From music and film to television and sports, these talented women have broken barriers and inspired generations. In this article, we’ll highlight over 100 of the most famous and influential black female celebrities.
Musicians
Many of the biggest names in music are black female artists who have topped the charts and made history. Here are some of the most influential black female singers, rappers, and songwriters:
| Name | Genre |
|---|---|
| Beyoncé | Pop, R&B |
| Rihanna | Pop, R&B |
| Nicki Minaj | Rap, Pop |
| Mary J. Blige | R&B, Soul |
| Missy Elliott | Rap, Hip-Hop |
| Aretha Franklin | Soul, R&B |
| Whitney Houston | Pop, R&B |
| Mariah Carey | Pop, R&B |
| Diana Ross | R&B, Soul |
| Janet Jackson | Pop, R&B |
From trailblazers like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross to modern superstars like Beyoncé and Rihanna, black female musicians have shaped popular music and inspired generations of artists.
Actresses
Talented black actresses have broken barriers in film and television, winning acclaim for their work in dramas, comedies, and action blockbusters. Here are some noteworthy black female movie and TV stars:
| Name | Known For |
|---|---|
| Viola Davis | The Help, How to Get Away with Murder |
| Octavia Spencer | The Help, Hidden Figures |
| Taraji P. Henson | Empire, Hidden Figures |
| Kerry Washington | Scandal |
| Angela Bassett | What’s Love Got to Do with It, Black Panther |
| Halle Berry | Monster’s Ball, X-Men films |
| Zendaya | Euphoria, Spider-Man films |
| Jennifer Hudson | Dreamgirls |
| Phylicia Rashad | The Cosby Show |
| Regina King | Watchmen, If Beale Street Could Talk |
From portraying iconic roles to breaking barriers by winning coveted awards like Oscars and Emmys, these black actresses have showcased incredible talent on the big and small screens.
Comedians
Funny, fearless black female comedians have been making audiences laugh for decades. Here are some of the most popular black women in comedy:
| Name | Known For |
|---|---|
| Whoopi Goldberg | The View, Ghost, Sister Act |
| Mo’Nique | The Parkers, Precious |
| Wanda Sykes | Stand-up comedy |
| Octavia Spencer | Stand-up comedy |
| Aisha Tyler | Whose Line is it Anyway? |
| Maya Rudolph | Saturday Night Live |
| Tiffany Haddish | Girls Trip, stand-up |
| Leslie Jones | Saturday Night Live |
| Retta | Parks and Recreation |
| Loni Love | The Real talk show |
From stand-up comedy to sitcoms and sketch shows, these funny ladies have cracked up audiences with their sharp wit and hilarious impressions.
Models
Strikingly beautiful black models have walked runways and been the faces of major fashion and beauty campaigns. Here are some of the most famous black supermodels of past and present:
| Name | Known For |
|---|---|
| Naomi Campbell | Modeling since the 1980s, Victoria’s Secret |
| Tyra Banks | Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret |
| Iman | Modeling since the 1970s |
| Beverly Johnson | First black model on cover of Vogue |
| Veronica Webb | First black model to have major cosmetics contract |
| Adriana Lima | Victoria’s Secret Angel |
| Jourdan Dunn | First black model to make Forbes top-earning models list |
| Chanel Iman | Victoria’s Secret model |
| Joan Smalls | Estée Lauder model |
| Slick Woods | Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie |
These black models have brought glamour and beauty to the world’s biggest runways and ad campaigns.
Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders
In addition to succeeding in the entertainment world, many black women have become prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs. Here are some noteworthy examples:
| Name | Company |
|---|---|
| Oprah Winfrey | Harpo Productions |
| Rihanna | Fenty Beauty |
| Beyoncé | Ivy Park clothing line |
| Tyra Banks | TZONE Foundation |
| Melanie L. Campbell | Black Women’s Roundtable |
| Ursula Burns | Xerox CEO |
| Michelle Obama | Let’s Move! Initiative |
| Madame C.J. Walker | Walker Manufacturing Company |
| Serena Williams | Serena Ventures |
| Shonda Rhimes | Shondaland production company |
From media moguls to tech CEOs, these business-savvy women have led initiatives and companies that generate billions in revenue.
Athletes
Here are some of the most talented black female athletes excelling in their sports:
| Name | Sport |
|---|---|
| Serena Williams | Tennis |
| Simone Biles | Gymnastics |
| Gabby Douglas | Gymnastics |
| Candace Parker | Basketball |
| Venus Williams | Tennis |
| Skylar Diggins-Smith | Basketball |
| Maya Moore | Basketball |
| Laila Ali | Boxing |
| Allyson Felix | Track & Field |
| Florence Griffith Joyner | Track & Field |
With championships, world records, and trailblazing achievements, these black female athletes have made their mark at the highest levels of sport.
Activists
Black women have been at the forefront of movements for civil rights, gender equality, and social justice. Some influential activists include:
| Name | Advocacy |
|---|---|
| Harriet Tubman | Abolitionist |
| Sojourner Truth | Women’s rights, abolitionist |
| Shirley Chisholm | Civil rights, women’s rights |
| Angela Davis | Civil rights, prison reform |
| Dorothy Height | Civil rights, women’s rights |
| Fannie Lou Hamer | Civil rights, voting rights |
| Tarana Burke | #MeToo Movement |
| Alicia Garza | Black Lives Matter |
| Marsha P. Johnson | LGBTQ+ rights |
| Barbara Jordan | Civil rights, women’s rights |
From abolitionists like Harriet Tubman to #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, black women activists have led movements fighting for equality and justice.
Writers & Journalists
These black female writers and journalists have made significant literary and journalistic contributions:
| Name | Known For |
|---|---|
| Maya Angelou | Poet, author |
| Toni Morrison | Nobel Prize-winning novelist |
| Alice Walker | The Color Purple |
| Gwendolyn Brooks | First African American to win Pulitzer Prize |
| Zora Neale Hurston | Novelist, anthropologist |
| Gwen Ifill | Journalist, news anchor |
| Barbara Walters | Broadcast journalist, anchor |
| Ida B. Wells | Investigative journalist |
| Nikole Hannah-Jones | New York Times journalist |
| Evelyn Cunningham | First black woman reporter at The Washington Post |
From novelists and poets to pioneering journalists, these black women have shaped literature, academic scholarship, and news media.
Conclusion
Black women have made lasting impacts across entertainment, business, sports, activism, and academia. Celebrities like Beyoncé, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama inspire millions around the world. Trailblazers like Harriet Tubman, Oprah Winfrey, and Kamala Harris have broken countless barriers. The accomplishments of these and so many other black women demonstrate tremendous strength, talent, leadership, and fortitude.