Black History Month: 10 African-American Influencers That Define Black Excellence!

Happy Black History Month! 

We’re celebrating African-Americans and their incredibly powerful influence on the past, present, and future all throughout February.

In honor of the life-long impact black people have had on our society in politics, music, social justice, sports, film, technology, journalism, and so much more, we want to recognize some of the most prominent black game-changers today.

Of course, there are countless movers and shakers that stretch far beyond this very short list, but here are ten who have had a major impact over the last 5 years!

1. Michelle Obama

It’s absolutely no surprise that our beloved former First Lady Michelle Obama tops our list.

Michelle Obama made history (along with her husband and former President Barack Obama) when she became the first African-American First Lady in the history of the United States.

Michelle Obama is not only one of the most influential women in the world today but has been so for the last decade since her husband entered office in 2009. She is a motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, and a life-long advocate for equality, social justice, health, and education.

Her NYT Best-selling book Becoming was the best-selling hardcover book of 2018.

2. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is arguably one of the best entertainers of our time.

The highly-respected singer, actress, and mother-of-three is known for sharing and celebrating black culture through her music.

Her commitment to black inclusion in entertainment and in brand partnerships had led to a much larger conversation of intentional diversity to broaden representation in front of the camera and behind.

3. LeBron James

Often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James is a current Los Angeles Laker and one of the most famous athletes today.

Although the 35-year-old father is most widely known on the basketball court, he wears many hats in his communities both near and far. He is the founder of the LeBron James Family Foundation, which funds a public elementary school, iPromise School, for at-risk kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

He is also the creator and executive producer of production company Springhill and a part owner in Blaze Pizza.

4. Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick is a former professional quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and a current free agent.

He gained much fame and respect for his athletic talent, but he is best known for kneeling during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and and racial inequality in the United States. His actions sparked a huge protest movement across the country about the controversial topic.

Although the 32-year-old has faced an overwhelming amount of backlash and consequences for his protests and remains unsigned by any NFL teams, he continues to serve as a political activist and remains an unwavering advocate for social justice.

5. Ava Duvernay

Ava Duvernay is a writer, producer, director, and film distributor committed to telling stories that share the deep and complex history of the black people and the adversities they face.

She was the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director for Selma, a film based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.

She is also known for Netflix’s miniseries "When They See Us" and documentary 13th.

6. Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is an actor, writer, comedian, and director. The production giant rose to fame playing his near and dear alter-ego Madea, a tough, elderly black woman who frequently appears in his films.

In 2019, he opened Tyler Perry Studios, which is currently one of the largest film studios in the nation. This achievement made Tyler Perry the first African-American to outright own a major film studio.

7. Tarana Burke

By using the phrase “Me Too” on social media to bring awareness to sexual abuse and assault in our society, Tarana Burke sparked one of the most powerful social movements of the last decade.

This movement led to the uncovering of sexual harassment and assault stories in the workplace, specifically in the entertainment business. 

8. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex

After her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex.

Although the addition of the biracial Duchess to the British royal family sparked debate and controversy on social media, it was incredible to see a person of color as a part of the royal family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have since decided to take a step back as senior members of the royal family, but their beautiful impact will forever be felt.

9. Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh is the CEO of fashion house Off White.

He was also named artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection in 2018, making him the first person of African descent to lead the brand’s menswear line.

His appointment to the position led to major excitement and support from the black community.

10. Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth is a journalist, editor, and a NYT best-seller author.

This 33-year-old is the queen of firsts. She gained notoriety when she became first black beauty director of Teen Vogue and the youngest editor in Conde Nast history when she was appointed as editor-in-chief in 2016 (she is now second behind current Teen Vogue editor-in-chief). She is credited for the increase of political social coverage in the magazine during her time there.

Her memoir, More Than Enough, debuted on the NYT Best Sellers List in the same month as its release in June of 2019. In January 2020, we found out the book will be developed into a television series. 

Sending many thanks to these 10 and SO many more for continuing to lead and represent in beautiful ways. Keep striving and reaching for many Black History Months to come!