20th-century African-American people

African-American abolitionist (1822–1913)

American general and diplomat (1937–2021)

American author, activist, and civil rights leader; wife of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ilhan Abdullahi Omar is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, representing part of Minneapolis. Her congressional district includes all of Minneapolis and some of its first-ring suburbs.

David Khari Webber Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian, actor and former sketch comedian. He debuted his half-hour TV special in 1998 and his hour-long TV special in 2000. He co-created and starred in the sketch comedy series Chappelle's Show (2003–2006) on Comedy Central before quitting in the middle of production of the third season. After a hiatus, Chappelle returned to performing stand-up comedy across the United States. By 2006, Chappelle was called the "comic genius of America" by Esquire magazine and, in 2013, "the best" by a Billboard writer. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 9 in their "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time".

American television producer, television and film writer, and author

American civil rights activist

American aviator (1892–1926)

Ryan Kyle Coogler is an American filmmaker. His accolades include an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, four Black Reel Awards, and ten NAACP Image Awards.

African American police brutality victim (1965–2012)

astronaut, scientist (1959-2003)

African-American lynching victim (1941–1955)

American mathematician (1930–2026)

American pornographic actress

United States Senator from South Carolina since 2013

Antoine Fuqua is an American director and producer. Known for his work on film, television, and music videos, and for his work in the action and thriller genres, he was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.

American film director

American religious leader (1897-1975)

American writer and director (born 1979)

American actress, writer and producer

African-American civil rights and human rights activist (1903–1986)

American actor, comedian and rapper

American engineer and NASA astronaut

American actor, comedian, filmmaker

American actor and model

American activist and writer (born 1981)

American professional wrestler

American boxer (1913-1998)

American actor, comedian and beatboxer

American actor and comedian

American professional wrestler

American professional wrestler

American comedian and writer

American actor and rapper

American actress and singer

Katherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson family of entertainers that includes her children Michael and Janet Jackson. Michael dedicated his sixth studio album Thriller (1982) to her. Janet did the same with her fourth studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). In 1985, acknowledging the positive impact on her children's successful music careers, national urban magazine Essence honored her as "Mother of the Year".

Lena Waithe is an American actress, producer, and screenwriter. She is the creator of the Showtime drama series The Chi (2018–present) and the BET comedy series Boomerang (2019–20) and Twenties (2020–21). She also wrote and produced the crime film Queen & Slim (2019) and is the executive producer of the horror anthology series Them (2021–present).

American artist and activist

American murderer (1953–2005)

Jayson Anthony Paul (born December 10, 1984) is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE under the ring name JTG (Just Too Good).

American civil rights activist (1912–1987)

American inventor (1848–1928)

American actress, activist (b. 1964)

American comedian

American serial killer

American wrestling executive and former referee

American actress and model

American pornographic actor

American actress

American inventor

American record producer and songwriter from Virginia

American entrepreneur and record executive

American mobster (1930-2019)

American actor and former NFL practice squad wide receiver

American rock musician

American inventor

American dancer and choreographer (1914–2009)

American model and actress (born 1981)

American actress, model, author, and entrepreneur

American comedian, actor, writer and director