46 Famous Black Women You Need To Know
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Black women throughout history have faced roadblocks, racial injustices and a flurry of “no’s” when it comes to rising through the ranks in any field in America. It is because of these setbacks that when deserving women smash through glass ceilings, they are more than worthy of celebration. Allow us to give our flowers to famous Black women across various industries who are role models and in many cases heroes in their own right.
Though many of these entrepreneurs, thought leaders, actors, singers, athletes, poets, authors, filmmakers and directors receive recognition during Black History Month, their hard work and accolades should be acknowledged year round. Women like Maxine Waters and Cori Bush to Beyoncé and Rihanna, have an immense reach and social impact that isn't short of remarkable.
While this list focuses mostly on modern day women, we would be remiss not to acknowledge trailblazers who paved the way for many of them, including legends like Billie Holiday, Coretta Scott King, Sojourner Truth and so many more. Continue to expand your knowledge of Black people who are shaping the world with our lists of innovative Black interior designers, Black matriarchs, and brush up on your Black history with books that are essential reads.
Angel Reese
Angel Reese had a whirlwind year in 2023. After making LSU history by leading the Tigers in securing the NCAA Basketball Championship and the 50th team national title in LSU Athletics’ 130-year history, she also was named Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player and won Breakthrough Athlete of the Year at the ESPYs. She is one of the highest-earning college athletes, partnering with Amazon, Coach and Mercedes Benz, among others. Earlier this year, she also launched the Angel C. Reese Foundation, which aims to "ensure equal opportunities for all girls in sports, education, financial literacy, and other areas where girls have historically been overlooked."
Tamron Hall
Journalist, news anchor and talk show host, Tamron Hall has a career that inspires many, daily. In 2014, became the first African American woman to co-anchor on TODAY. Just five years later, she went on to launch the Tamron Hall Show, which is a daytime talk show. Since its start she has on two Daytime Emmy Awards, with the first win in 2020 marking the first time that a freshman host received the honor. Most recently, she received four nominations for the 2023 Daytime Emmys.
Jessica Watkins
Dr. Watkins' talents are literally unbound. At just 34 years old, she became the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long-term mission. What's next? As part of NASA's Artemis program, she could be sent on a mission to the moon!
Maya Rudolph
Comedian, actress and singer are all titles used to describe Maya Rudolph. The daughter of late singer Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph, Maya rose to fame with her notable role as a cast member on the Saturday Night Live, where she pulled off hilarious renditions of icons like Whitney Houston and Oprah Winfrey. At the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, she won the Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance award for her role as Connie The Hormone Monstress in Netflix's Big Mouth. She currently stars in the Apple TV+ comedy Loot.
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty has carved out her own lane. Though her rise to fame was marked by her singing talent, Rihanna has proven through ventures like Fenty Skin, Fenty Beauty and her lingerie brand Savage x Fenty that she is also a top-tier businesswoman. In 2021, Forbes named her one of America's Richest Self-Made Women. At the time, she was estimated to be worth about $1.7 billion, making her the wealthiest female musician in the world.
Rihanna has also made philanthropy part of her mission by championing diversity and inclusion through all of her brands and pledging $15 million towards climate justice through her Clara Lionel Foundation.
Cori Bush
Congresswoman Cori Bush is a community activist, registered nurse and ordained pastor. After she was elected to the House of Representatives in 2021, she became the first African American woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. House. She routinely lends her voice and her platform to combat social injustice as the co-founder of The Truth Telling Project and as a leader of the protest group #ExpectUS.
Monique Rodriguez
Monique Rodriguez is the founder of haircare brand Mielle Organics, which she started with her husband in 2014. She created her products to strengthen hair, enhance curl definition, cleanse and moisturize.
In 2021, Monique became the first Black woman to raise a non-controlling nine-figure investment in a deal with Berkshire Partners. In 2023, her brand was acquired by Procter & Gamble, in a historic partnership that will allow both Monique and her husband Melvin Rodriguez to stay on as CEO and COO of the brand, respectively.
Pat McGrath
While her rise to fame began in the 1990s, makeup artist and innovator, Pat McGrath, has maintained her relevance through to today's fashion and beauty industries. Since she took on the role as Procter & Gamble's Global Beauty Creative Design Director in 2004, she has overseen brands such as Covergirl, Max Factor, and launched Dolce & Gabbana: The Makeup. She also launched her own brand, Pat McGrath Labs, in 2015 and was also dubbed by the late Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the fashion and beauty industry.
Cori "Coco" Gauff
Coco Gauff first captured the attention of the world with her 2019 win over former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams at Wimbledon. That same year, Gauff, 15 at the time, won her first WTA Tour singles title, becoming the youngest singles title-holder on the Tour since 2004. Since then, she has secured the ranking of world No. 4 in singles and in August 2022 she became world No. 1 in doubles.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph has been in the entertainment world for decades, with notable performances as an original in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls and as a co-star alongside Brandy Norwood in Moesha. Most recently, she has taken on the role of Barbara Howard on the hit series Abbott Elementary, a portrayal which won her the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is an attorney, philanthropist and the first African American First Lady in U.S. history. During her time as First Lady, Mrs. Obama created the Let’s Move program which was developed to help end childhood obesity. In 2019, she became author of bestseller Becoming which was followed by the corresponding Netflix documentary in 2020.
In 2022, her book, The Light We Carry, became a top-seller. The Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate continues to advocate for education for young girls, and the overall health of children.
Quinta Brunson
You may recognize Quinta Brunson from her multiple viral dating parodies or trending BuzzFeed videos. The producer, actress and writer has expanded her career by appearing on television shows such as Big Mouth and most recently launching her own show, Abbott Elementary, which has won her Golden Globe Awards and Critics' Choice Television Awards.
Symone D. Sanders
Political strategist Symone D. Sanders is the former chief spokeswoman for Vice President Kamala Harris, and in 2016, was named national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaign. A few years later, Ms. Sanders would join Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign as a senior advisor. Once elected, the Biden-Harris administration named Sanders a senior member. Now, Sanders has landed multiple shows on MSNBC.
Elaine Welteroth
This fashion forward, author, talk show host and award-winning journalist got her start in the editorial industry. After years of hard work Welteroth was named editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue in 2017, making her the youngest EIC in the publication's history at the time. Author of New York Time's bestseller More Than Enough and judge on the new Project Runway, Welteroth has proven there's no stopping her.
Yara Shahidi
Harvard University student, activist and actress, Yara Shahidi is well known for her role as Zoey Johnson on ABC's Black-ish, as well as her own spinoff, Grown-ish, among many other television and film roles. At a young age, Shahidi demonstrated her dedication to advocating for people of color and bringing light to injustices happening around the globe.
Tarana Burke
Time magazine’s 2017 Person of the Year, Tarana Burke is an activist and the founder of Me Too. The New York native's group brings awareness and support to sexual violence survivors. In 2017, the group's hashtag #metoo started a revolution and brought women together in solidarity in the fight against sexual assault. Me Too helps bring resources to survivors, as well as those in their lives.
Issa Rae
Creator of the award-winning television show Insecure, Issa Rae has proven that there are no limits to what you can accomplish. After creating the popular web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, Rae broke into the television and film industries — producing, directing and starring in multiple projects, and even began her own production company, HOORAE, as well as her own record label, Raedio and most recently her own prosecco brand Viarae. Rae has dedicated her career to creating storylines and platforms for artists and actors of color.
Vice President Kamala Harris
Before becoming Vice President, she graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of Law. In 2017, Vice President Harris was sworn into the United States Senate, and focused on reforming cash bail, combating hunger, providing rent relief, improving maternal health care and addressing the climate crisis, amongst other issues facing the American people. In 2021, she was not only the first woman, but the first Black and South Asian American to become Vice President of the United States.
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American woman to wear a hijab during an Olympic game. The world champion and 5-time senior world medalist has released two books, including the best-selling children's book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, as well as the memoir PROUD: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream.
Debbie Allen
Owner of Debbie Allen Dance Academy, actress, choreographer, producer and director, Debbie Allen is an icon in the entertainment industry. Allen is well known for her work on the television series FAME, as both a choreographer and actress and earned countless awards, including a Golden Globe, Emmy and NAACP. She has been a director on numerous shows including How To Get Away with Murder, Scandal and A Different World, and is currently a director, star and executive producer on Grey's Anatomy.
Jackie Aina
Aina began her start in the entertainment industry as a YouTuber with a concentration on makeup tips for Black and brown women, specifically women with deeper complexions. Throughout the years, she evolved and built an empire, partnering with multiple large makeup brands, creating exclusive products and starting her own brand of candles, Forever Mood.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross has been a familiar face in the entertainment industry after getting her start as a fashion model at a young age. Later, Ellis Ross got into acting, and became known for her lead role in the 2000 sitcom, Girlfriends. She also starred as Rainbow Johnson in the award-winning series Black-ish. Ellis Ross has started her own hair care line, Pattern Beauty which caters to those with naturally curly hair.
Stacey Abrams
Lawyer and politician, Stacey Abrams served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 11 years. After running for Georgia governor in 2018 and earning the most democratic votes in the state's history at the time, Abrams announced in 2022 that she would be running again. While she did not take home the governor title, she continues to advocate for voter rights and brings awareness to voter suppression happening in the U.S.
Gayle King
Gayle King is a familiar face that graces the television screens of millions every morning on CBS This Morning. As if being an author, journalist and editor-at-large of Oprah Daily wasn't enough, King also hosts her own on SiriusXM Satellite Radio show, The Gayle King Show.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Singer, songwriter and actress, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is known for her show stopping performances, record-breaking songs and multiple business ventures. Knowles-Carter has earned 32 Grammy awards and 88 nominations, making her the most Grammy winning and nominated female artist of all time. If you don't snag her latest fragrance release, Ce Noir, then you can catch her at one of her stadium concerts (if you're lucky enough to grab tickets before they're gone, that is).
Amanda Gorman
The young and established Amanda Gorman shook the world with her outstanding poem, recited at the 2021 presidential inauguration, making her the youngest poet in inaugural history. The Harvard graduate has graced multiples stages, reciting her award-winning pieces. Gorman has four books under her belt, including her latest 2023 release titled Something, Someday.
Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix is a five-time Olympian, starring in her first Olympic Games 2004 — earning her latest medal during the Tokyo Olympics for the 400 meter and 400-meter relay. Felix has earned 11 Olympic medals including 7 gold, 3 sliver and 1 bronze.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey might be best known for her television show, but "talk show host" is just one of her many titles. Not only does she have her own network (OWN), magazine and website, but the primetime and daytime Emmy Award winner is constantly breaking boundaries and creating new platforms. Most recently, she set streaming records with her interviews with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and then Adele — but this is just the tip of the iceberg when looking at all Winfrey has accomplished.
Misty Copeland
Starting her ballet career at 13, Misty Copeland joined the American Ballet Theater studio company in 2000, and the following year, joined ABT as a member of corps de ballet. After continuous work with American Ballet Theater, she became the company's second African American female soloist. In 2015, she became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the company’s almost century-long history.
Maxine Waters
Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a representative of California's 43rd district and advocate for women, children and people of color. During her 15th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, the California State University graduate gained much attention for her powerful response during a 2017 hearing of the House Financial Service Committee. "I'm reclaiming my time," the congresswoman said after the Treasury Secretary tried to avoid her question. #ReclamingMyTime shortly started trending across social media, inspiring other women to stand up for themselves.
Marsai Martin
Entrepreneur, producer and actress Marsai Martin managed to accomplish all the previously mentioned titles before the age of 18. Known for her role on television show Black-ish, Martin expanded her resume in 2019 with her film Little, which she starred in and produced. In 2022, she launched her company Mari, a luxury press on nail and nail care line.
Shonda Rhimes
Screenwriter, producer and author Shonda Rhimes has been in the television and film industry for over 20 years, creating classics such as Princess Diaries 2, Bridgerton and more. She is the producer of the long-running and award-winning show Grey's Anatomy, which started in 2005 and is now on its 19th season.
Tabria Majors
Plus-size fashion model Tabria Majors is helping to break the standard idea of beauty and proves that confidence comes in all different shapes and sizes. Majors has earned major props with her fearless recreations of iconic music moments from artists like Beyoncé and Ciara. She also has released multiple plus-size clothing collaborations with clothing brands like Fashion to Figure and Boohoo, continuing to advocate for plus-size women everywhere.
Susan Rice
Author of best-selling memoir Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For, Susan Rice became a Domestic Policy Advisor in the Biden Administration from it's start, though she left the role earlier in 2023. The Stanford and Oxford University alumnus was previously the National Security Advisor and was the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations during the Obama Administration.
Simone Biles
The most decorated gymnast of all time, Simone Biles has a combined 34 Olympic and World Championship medals. Biles is not only the most decorated but is the first American woman to win seven national all-around titles and the first female gymnast to win three consecutive World All-Around tiles, all before the age of 25. Biles has graced multiple covers and even had her own Kellogg's Special K cereal box, adorning one of her many gold metals.
Laverne Cox
Known for her role in Orange Is the New Black, Laverne Cox made history by becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. The LBGTQIA advocate was also awarded a GLAAD award in 2014 for her work in the transgender community. Cox has graced the covers of Cosmopolitan and Time, and starred in the hit show Inventing Anna.
Ruth E. Carter
Costume designer Ruth E. Carter has over 40 film credits, and has created iconic costumes for films such as What's Love Got to Do with It, Selma and the Butler. In 2018, she became the first African American to win an Academy Award for costumes for the film Black Panther, and finally received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021.
Lena Waithe
Lena Waithe is a producer, actress, screenwriter and LBGTQIA advocate who got her start as an assistant on the popular television show Girlfriends. Waithe would later climb her way to the top, creating multiple web series and writing for shows like Bones and How to Rock. In 2015, she joined the HBO show Masters of None, which earned her a Primetime Emmy for the Thanksgiving episode that was inspired by her own coming out story. Waithe continues to break boundaries with her creative storytelling that portray characters from all walks of life with her show The Chi.
Natasha Rothwell
As a writer, director, actress and producer, Natasha Rothwell is known for her hilarious work on the HBO show Insecure, but her credits go beyond her character Kelli Prenny. Rothwell showcases her talents as a writer on comedy show SNL, a producer of the show The Characters and star on the HBO original series White Lotus.
Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was one of the leading scientist during the development of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in 2020. She has over 15 years of experience studying influenza and coronaviruses. A viral immunologist by training, Dr. Corbett uses her expertise to propel novel vaccine development for pandemic preparedness.
Naomi Osaka
After turning pro in 2013, Naomi Osaka stepped into the limelight during her 2015 match against her idol and fellow tennis star Serena Williams during the U.S open, where then 20-year-old Osaka won her first major title. Osaka would continue on her winning streak, earning all four of her first Grand Slam finals.
Amy Sherald
Artist Amy Sherald was commissioned in 2018 by former First Lady Michelle Obama to create the presidential portrait for the National Portrait Gallery, which made Sherald the first Black woman in history to do so.
Serena Williams
Tennis player Serena Williams, who many considered the greatest tennis player of all time, has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most by any player. Williams holds the most titles of any active player and is a three-time Olympian, earning four Olympic gold medals.
Ava DuVernay
An Academy Award and Golden Globe are just some of the awards won by film director, producer and writer Ava DuVernay. She is the first Black woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director. She is also the first woman of color to be Oscar-nominated for Best Picture Film.
Raven Saunders
In addition to being a two-time Olympian and silver medalist, Raven Saunders is an advocate for racial justice and mental health.
Condoleezza Rice
Politician Condoleezza Rice was the first woman and first Black woman to become Secretary of State, a position she held from 2005 to 2009 during the Bush administration. Rice is currently a professor and dean at Stanford University.
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