Top 10 Most Influential Black People

This list showcases individuals who have significantly impacted our world across various fields. From politics and social justice to arts, sports, and science, these figures have left indelible marks on our society, often facing and overcoming immense challenges along the way.

When exploring this list, you're not just looking at names. You're delving into stories of perseverance, innovation, and trailblazing achievements. These are the men and women who've shaped history and culture, breaking barriers and setting new standards.

As you browse these names, consider the diverse criteria that might influence your votes. Impact on social and political movements, contributions to arts and culture, groundbreaking achievements in science and technology, or inspiring leadership in community and business sectors are all potential factors. Remember, each of these individuals has a unique story, and their influence extends beyond mere fame. It's about the legacy they've created and the paths they've paved for future generations.

The Top Ten

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.. January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) was an African American minister and a pioneering civil rights leader. From 1955 until his assassination in 1968, he became the most visible spokesperson for the civil rights movement. King is best known for leading nonviolent... read more

My opinion is that this man, Martin Luther King Jr., is the most influential African American in black history. Without him, I would be on the streets being treated like crap, but instead, I'm in this classroom typing this paper about him. He changed the lives of us... The African Americans of America and cultures around that too.

I LOVE this guy! For real! I used to listen to his speech I Have a Dream all the time. At one point, we were learning about it in class and were split up into groups. We were told to pick someone to read the speech to the rest of the class, and this one guy decided to go. The entire time, I was pissing him off by saying the whole speech while he did it! LOL!
Malcolm X

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and later known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist. He was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam during the civil rights movement and advocated for the rights of African Americans. He was assassinated in 1965.

So fair, so just, so honorable, so truthful, so righteous, and so noble. Malcolm X was a fearless fighter and hero for human rights. From a middle school dropout to taking the case of civil rights to human rights to the UN, Malcolm X is a shining example of self-reliance, self-education, and self-determination. He spoke the truth even at the cost of his safety and, eventually, his life.
He was incorruptible and uncompromising in his quest to bring about justice, equality, and freedom for the oppressed African Americans and all victims of white colonialism and imperialism. Malcolm X taught the black man to love himself, to stand up for himself, and to depend on himself rather than the white man, which black people have been brainwashed to love more than their own people due to systematic racism and white supremacy that is still ongoing today.
Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

It is said that he used his fortune amassed from his artistic success to donate over 300 million to charity and supported around 39 charities. He and Lionel Richie wrote a song that was responsible for saving millions of lives in Africa during the deep famine in the '80s. His legacy is not just his music. It is the message of unity, love, and brotherhood that will last for generations.
He also substantially changed the face of popular music and video in America and the world, breaking racial barriers every step of the way. From the chitlin circuit to owning the most valuable music catalog in the world, to breaking every musical record ever set, this man gave his all and did it with humility and love.
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government... read more

In my opinion, he was the greatest black man of the new ages because he has done so much for his nation that no other black man has ever done. He sacrificed his own ego and put his race and country first instead of seeking his own revenge, which made his country so powerful and united.

This is a world icon. He should be number 1 because he stated, "I have fought against white domination, I have fought against black domination, and I have an ideal that we all could live as one and if need be, my lord, it is an ideal I am prepared to die for." He endured 27 years of imprisonment and still forgave the people who put him there. I know I could never endure that pain, but if you could, then maybe you should be on the list!
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor, producer, and semi-retired professional wrestler. He gained fame in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to a successful Hollywood career, starring in films such as The Fast... read more

He should be higher than Malcolm X, but still lower than Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.
Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017, becoming the first African-American to hold the office. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois (2005 to 2008) and as an Illinois state senator... read more

Barack Obama is the greatest president of my life (I'm 30). His Health Care Act provided healthcare to my father for $50 a month. He got the unemployment rate to the lowest it's almost ever been. He also saved the economy after Bush destroyed it in 2008. And this is coming from a liberal.

I would count him as first over Michael Jackson. He hasn't done too much for people, and people will always remember Barack Obama, but Michael Jackson will be long forgotten 50 years from now. Obama and Martin Luther King should be tied for first.
Rosa Parks

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 - October 24, 2005) was an African American civil rights activist. She became a symbol of resistance to racial segregation after refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. The United States Congress referred to her... read more

I feel as if the fact that she did something about the segregation of blacks and whites back then is just the courage and pride in self that is needed on a daily basis. Not to mention the fact that black women were also on their own, being overlooked by society.

She helped M.L.K. and was the major push for the civil rights movement when she refused to give up her seat in the black section when the white section was full.

Utter bravery which contributed to a sea change.
Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Gail Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 to 2011. She is also the founder of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and has been a powerful influence in both media... read more

Beaten and abused, Winfrey is one of the greatest talk show hosts of all time. She was even named the highest-paid female TV entertainer of 2010. She helps women all around the world with her charities, and she is one of the best talk show hosts to walk this earth.

Most people don't even understand the depth of why she has a channel called "OWN" and what she is telling you in that one word. Black people need to take heed of that.

Very successful woman. Is she hiding a lot of Hollywood secrets? Yes.
Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery around 1818, he escaped and became a powerful advocate for the abolition of slavery and the advancement of civil rights. Douglass published several autobiographies and was a prominent... read more

Frederick Douglass was really one of the first African Americans to stand up to the slavery institutions and degradations of the US. With his great intelligence and astute manner, he convinced many that his people deserved better. He really was the MLK of his day.

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. would probably equate to what Frederick Douglass achieved in the 19th century. See his influence on Jefferson and Lincoln's abolition laws, then rate him. Surely in the top five.

Without Frederick, all those people above in the list might still be slaves. No offense.
Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (January 17, 1942 - June 3, 2016), was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer, poet, and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sporting figures of the 20th century. Ali is... read more

He was one of the greatest because he not only fought against so many greats but also stood against the dictatorship of the US government. He kept his mind clean and his thoughts too. He was the greatest boxer ever born and, despite all odds, he always proved to be No. 1.

He gave so many people confidence in themselves, irrespective of what they were going through. He was honestly an ambassador of self-worth. If you have love and confidence in yourself, you can achieve your goals.

The Newcomers

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Nichelle Nichols

She inspired women to become astronauts. She played Uhura in Star Trek and helped us achieve what nobody else did beforehand.
R.I.P. to such a mighty world-class legend.
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Amanda Aldridge

The legendary opera singer who defined opera for the black community. Her song 3 African Dances was the staple and has become a cultural classic to this day. She lived until an illness took her just one day before hitting 90. R.I.P. legend.

The Contenders

Bob Marley

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. He was a pioneering figure in reggae music and is considered one of the genre's most influential artists. His work with The Wailers helped popularize Jamaican music... read more

Marley should be on top of this list because he helped me change my views on other races. He is one of my idols and brought his message all over the world. His goal, which I want to surpass, reached billions and gave our people a good name. I want my talent to be worldwide like his. And whoever is reading this, I'm 14 now but remember this name - Jasiah Nasier Thomas x Creed. I will become the most successful black man in the world.

Couldn't get much more positive than Bob Marley! He's amazing!

Changed my views on the world. He also changed my thought process. If I become successful, he is partially to blame.
Thomas Sowell
Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he made six NBA Finals appearances. Jordan won the NBA championship each time.

He is the most famous and respected black person ever. Who else on this list could be known by an image around the world?

He slam-dunked his way to black victory. Nice one, Mike.
Beyoncé

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career as lead singer of Destiny's Child. The group scored multiple Billboard No. 1 hits including "Say My Name," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Survivor," "Independent Women," and "Bootylicious." After their split,... read more
Fred Hampton
Cynthia McKinney
Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009.... read more
Tupac Shakur

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was... read more

This man changed my life. A man who called it how he saw something, and wasn't afraid to speak his mind. All those that considered him a gangster are wrong - he was not only a rapper, he was an activist. He strived to make a change in the world and to try to bring black and white people together. And boy, did he.
His influence follows me every day. Whenever I get angry or sad, I listen to Tupac's music, telling me, "You've got to keep your head up." R.I.P. Tupac Shakur.

Songs like Keep Ya Head Up, Dear Mama, Brenda's Got A Baby, If My Homie Calls, Life Goes On, Changes, Letter 2 My Unborn Child, Lord Knows, I Wonder If Heaven's Got A Ghetto, Trapped, It Ain't Easy, Nothing To Lose, Holler If Ya Hear Me, The Lunatic, So Many Tears, and many others are the perfect examples of how Tupac was a revolutionary.
In the beginning, Thug Life was a movement that Tupac created. It had several rules that significantly helped to reduce the rate of crime and murder in many cities and prisons in the USA. The words and poems of this man helped a lot of people. More than the best rapper ever, he was a visionary with a great future. R.I.P. Tupac.
Jesse Lee Peterson
Angela Davis
Allen West
LeBron James

LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.
Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director, and narrator recognized for his authoritative voice and commanding screen presence. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby (2004) and received Oscar nominations for Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss... read more

He is a very charming person who relates to everyone. Always friendly and clear about what he wants or is doing.
Dr. Ben Carson

Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr. is a retired American neurosurgeon and former candidate for President of the United States. He gained fame for his pioneering work in pediatric neurosurgery, including the first successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. Carson later served... read more

Amazing influence and example set by a black man trapped in poverty who became one of the greatest surgeons ever, specializing in saving children's lives. Haters need to check themselves.

Worked himself up from extreme poverty to become one of the best surgeons in the world. A perfect example for others to follow.

Maybe as far as being a surgeon goes. Definitely not as a politician.
Clarence Thomas