African-American women musicians

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, film producer, and record producer. Commonly referred to as "the Voice", she is one of the most awarded performers of all time. A cultural icon, she broke down gender and racial barriers through her artistic achievements and music videos. Known for her vocal delivery, gospel singing style, crossover appeal, and live performances, Houston was ranked second on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest singers of all time in 2023.

African American novelist, essayist, and academic (1931–2019)

American diplomat and political scientist (born 1954)

Zoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, singer, and filmmaker. She has received nominations for a Critics' Choice Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2022, she was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People.

American jazz bassist and singer (born 1984)

Antiguan-American novelist, essayist, gardener, and gardening writer (born 1949)

American jazz pianist and composer (1910–1981)

American jazz musician

American dancer, choreographer, songwriter, actress and activist (1909/1912–2006)

American composer and jazz pianist (1957-2017)

American actress

American musician

American drummer (born 1965)

American singer

American actress, singer, rapper

Bahamian–American actress (1929-1995)

American musician (1920-1981)

Kelela Mizanekristos (, ; born June 4, 1983) is an American singer. She made her debut in the music industry with the release of her 2013 mixtape Cut 4 Me. In 2015, she released Hallucinogen, an EP which deals with the beginning, middle, and end of a relationship in reverse chronological order. Her debut studio album, Take Me Apart, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. After a nearly 5-year hiatus, Kelela released her second album, Raven, in February of 2023.

American jazz trombonist, musical arranger, and composer (1926–1999)

American jazz harpist (1932-1986)

American jazz violinist

American actress

American composer and pianist (1913–1972)

American jazz pianist (1922–1998)

American R&B singer (1954–2024)

American singer-songwriter

American musician

American composer and writer (1896–1977)

American musician (1904-1956)

American pianist and composer (1931–1967)

composer

American musician, singer, songwriter and cellist

American jazz flutist

American avant-garde jazz poet (1934–2012)

American urban contemporary gospel singer

Miss America 2019

American actress

(1957-2016), Afroamerican drag queen

American physician and writer (1847-1918)

American singer

American singer

American jazz altosaxophonist, singer and educator (1928–2022)

Jazzmun (born February 10, 1969) is the stage name of Jazzmun Nichala Crayton, who is an American actress and nightclub performer, often working in the Los Angeles Area.

American composer (1924-1979)

American painter and musician (1876–1912)

American songwriter and record producer (1938-2017)

African-American jazz musician (1932-2010)

American actor and model

American songwriter (1919–1966)

American gospel vocal group

American DJ, producer and trans activist

musical artist

American librarian

American poet and activist

American drummer

African American composer

African-American musician, writer, and educator

American painter, performance artist, and educator (born 1939)

American composer and composition teacher

poet