Top 10 Most Influential Black People

The Top Ten
1 Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an African American minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. King is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism... read more

My opinion is that this man Martin Luther King Jr is the most influential African American in black history, with out him I would be on the streets being treated like crap, but instead I'm in this class room typing this paper about him. He changed the lives go us... The African Americans of america and a cultures around that to

I LOVE this guy! For real! I used to listen to his speech I have a dream all the time. At one point, we where learning about it in class and where split up into groups. We where told to pick someone to read the speech to the rest of the speech 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!

Dr. King was great. I don't know much about him, but history says it all. It's thanks to this man that black people are not getting racially discriminated. He was the leader of the Civil Right Movement and one of the most influential leaders of all time.

2 Malcolm X Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist.

So fair so just so honorable so truthful so righteous and so noble. Malcom 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. Malcom X is a shining example of self-reliance, self-education and self determination. He spoke the truth even to the cost of his safety and eventually his life. He was incorruptible and uncompromising to bring about justice equality and freedom for the oppressed African Americans and all victims of white colonialism and imperialism. Malcom X taught the black man to love himself. To stand up for himself and 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 going on today.

The fact that Malcolm X isn't number one is sad. He told the unadulterated, politically incorrect truth about race in America. Whereas MLK talked about a dream, Malcolm preached the ugly reality. He encouraged Black people to learn their true history, be proud of who they are, and to rely on each other. He deserves every bit of the celebration and reverence that King gets.

3 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 focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation. Ideologically... read more

He was in my opinion greatest black man of 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 kept his race and country at first instead of 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 forgive the people who put in there. I know I could never endured that pain but if you could then maybe you should on the list!

This man was a true genius, he fought for peace and remains in the heart of not only Africans but people all around the world. Michael Jackson inspired pop artists not precisely African Americans. He's only being voted at the top because of sympathy votes.

4 Dwayne The Rock Johnson Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American and Canadian actor, producer and semi-retired professional wrestler, signed with WWE.

He should be higher than Malcom X, but still lower than Nelson Mandela & also lower than Martin Luther King Jr.

5 Michael Jackson 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 a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ... 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 80's. His legacy is not just his music, it is the message of unity, love, and brother/sisterhood 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 catalogue in the world, to breaking every musical record ever set, this man gave his all, and did it with humility and love.

Although he is no Malcolm X, no Nelson Mandela, and no Martin Luther King Jr, he proved his worth on this Earth, he proved even though he was an artist, he could use it to do a greater good, and while he was on Earth, he was doing the greater good every day for millions of people and children, he was also an activist, but people don't give him credit where it's due. they see him as just the artist, but he was so much more than that, he did so much more than that, his heart was really too big for his body.

6 Rosa Parks Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African American civil rights activist, whom the United States Congress called "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement".

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 they're 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 then white section was full.

Utter bravery which contributed to a sea change.

7 Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African-American president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.

Barack Obama should not be higher than Michael Jackson or Ben Carson. He is more like a white liberal than a black African. Using blackness to gain a vote for the Democratic party yet did nothing for the African American community who got him there. He is responsible for the destruction of Libiya, Africa's first wealthy and successful democratic socialist state after European Colonisation. He is a traitor to the black race. Tried to indoctrinate his identity politics/ homosexuality LGBT propaganda in Africa knowing it will destroy the moral of the society. Not going to happen!

I don't like Barrack Obama. I dislike him because he is reposible for doubling our national debt. He is also part of the reason why my dad needed a new job. Obamacare is one of the dumbest things ever. It made it so private practice can't thrive. My family was making it's way to the upper class. Now, we're lower middle class. Also, Obama care is only good if you're healthy and younger than 50. If you are 50 or over you're consider disposable.

8 Thomas Sowell
9 Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman.

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 Douglas achieved in 19 th century. See his influence on Jefferson and Lincoln's abolition laws then rate him. Surely in top 5.

Without fredrick, all those people above in the list might still be slaves, no offense.

10 Bob Marley Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim.

Marley should be on top pf this list because he help me change my views on other races. and he is one of my idols and brought his message all over the world and his gole I want to surpass he reached billions and gave our people a good name and I want my talent to be world wide like his. and who ever is reading this I'm 14 now but remember this name Jasiah Nasier Thomas x creed. I will become the most successful black men I 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

The Contenders
11 Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.

Beaten and abused, Winfrey is one of the greatest talk show hosts of all time-she was even named the most paid female T.V. 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 to that.

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

12 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, and is frequently ranked as the best heavyweight boxer and greatest athlete of the century.

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

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

I will vote this fella on this occassion, considering the his funeral today. He inspired me most truly...Not taking anything away from the above greats...Rip.. Ali..I will always love the.

13 Cynthia McKinney
14 Fred Hampton
15 Jesse Lee Peterson
16 Angela Davis
17 Allen West
18 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 assassinated on September 1996 at the age of 25... 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 whites 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 a lot of others are the perfect example of how this guy was a revolutionary, in the beginning Thug Life was a movement that 2Pac created that had several rules that helped a lot to reduce the rate of crime and murder in a lot of cities and prisons in the USA, the words and poems of this men help a lot of people, more than the best rapper ever he was a visionary with a great future, R.I.P. Tupac

19 Dr. Ben Carson Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr. is a retired American neurosurgeon and former candidate for President of the United States.

Amazing influence and example set by a black man trapped in poverty, who became one of the greatest surgeons ever, and specialized 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.

20 Clarence Thomas
21 Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. Freeman won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor with Million Dollar Baby (2004), and he has received Oscar nominations for his performances in Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy,... read more

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

He is god. Nobody dislikes him

He is the best. He is my father.

22 Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player.

He is the most famous and respected black person every, who else on this list could be know by a image around the world?

He slam dunk his way to black victory, nice one Mike.

Sonia loves this man

23 James Baldwin
24 Larry Elder
25 Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He died on 18 March 2017.

He is so jazzy

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