Monique Heart is dropping more knowledge and honoring more of the Black individuals who have helped shape the world. Learn about the rest of the individuals she spotlighted in her Honoring Our Blackness photo series for Black History Month below!
Pam Grier is an actress known for her roles in 70s films, Coffy and Foxy Brown. She was Kit Porter on the Showtime series, The L Word. She has received numerous nominations and awards throughout her acting career.
Sade is a Nigerian-British singer, song writer, and actress. Her soulful, jazzy voice is beyond impressive and has made her one of the most influential musicians of our time. She has influenced many other Black female artists, such as Beyonce, Aaliyah, Brandy and Kelly Rowland.
Erykah Badu is a singer, song writer, producer and actress. Her career started in 1994 when she opened for D’Angelo and was discovered. After that her career grew with her releasing 5 studio albums and 1 live album. She recently created an incense that smells like her vagina that sold out in minutes.
Diahann Carroll was an actress, singer, model, and activist. She was the first African-American woman to win a Tony for best actress. She played Dominique Devereaux on the soap opera, Dynasty.
Missy Elliott is a rapper, singer, song writer, producer, dancer, and philanthropist. Her career started with the R&B group Sista, she then became a member of Swing Mob. Her first solo album was released in 1997.
Tweet is a singer and song writer. Her legal name is Charlene Keys. Her career started when she was a part of the trio Sugah, which was a part of the Swing Mob collective. She has released three studio albums. You may recognize her from her cameo in the 2003 movie, Honey.
Marsha P. Johnson was an activist and drag queen. She is known for leading the revolution of gay rights with her involvement at the Stonewall Riots. She co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) with Sylvia Rivera.
Jenifer Lewis is the mother of Black Hollywood. She starred as the mother in many Black films including, What’s Love Got to Do With It and Poetic Justice. She currently stars on the ABC sitcom Black-ish as Andre Johnson’s mother, Ruby.
Aretha Franklin was a singer, song writer, and civil rights activist. Her voice and music led her to be known as the Queen of Soul. Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her legacy and impact on music are extensive.
Celia Cruz was a Cuban singer and the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century. She became known as the Queen of Salsa. Her career started in Cuba, she then moved to Mexico and ended up in the United States. During her career she created 37 studio albums.
Diana Ross is a singer, actress and producer. She rose to fame when she was a part of The Supremes. She left The Supremes in 1970 for a solo career. She went on release 24 studio albums and act in a number of movies and TV shows. You probably recognize her from the 1978 film, The Wiz.
