Faven Tesfamichael (10) | STAFF REPORTER
Black History Month was last month, but the legacy of Black History does not end there. Here is a collection of five prominent Black celebrities and public figures that excel in their chosen fields.
Issa Rae
Truly an example of how fame can be generated anywhere, Issa Rae first began her career by acting in, producing and directing her own web series on YouTube called The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl (which is currently a decade old). Her 2011 web series gained much buzz and attention from many as it showed just how skilled Issa Rae was. Near the end of 2013, Issa began working on a new comedy series that would be similar to The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl. Finally, in 2016, Issa Rae showcased her potential and ability by writing and starring in Insecure. To this day Issa has continued to thrive in the film industry with starring in works such as Little (2019) and The Hate U Give (movie, 2018) while also starting her own mentorship program, in partnership with Columbia Pictures, called ColorCreative where she helps new and diverse writers gain their start.
The Weeknd
Abel Tesfaye, known by his stage name ‘The Weeknd’, is an inspiring example of how true talent can be recognized. The Weeknd is a Canadian artist who grew up in Scarborough, to his Ethiopian parents. Not long after dropping out of high school in Grade 11 and partying often, he got a job at an American Apparel store and began to write songs about his experiences. Not long after he was signed by Republic Records, his music began to gain much attention as his fame started skyrocketing. He is still signed by Republic Records and he has also opened his own label called XO Records. The Weeknd has also helped the Black Lives Matter campaign to gain more progress by making a half-a-million donation and by encouraging large companies to proudly support the movement. In 2020 his song Blinding Lights was the most streamed song on Spotify with over 1.6 billion plays. Most recently he has captivated audiences around the world with his breathtaking performance during the 2021 Superbowl Halftime Show.
Donald Glover
Donald Glover is a very talented person to say the least. He is a talented writer, actor, musician, comedian, producer and director. Glover’s career began around 2006, after graduating from NYU when he began to write for Tina Fey’s 30 Rock. He was in a sketch comedy group in university, called Derrick Comedy. He was able to gain much attention and even wrote a movie with the members of the group that was accepted to the Sundance Film Festival. In 2009 his assets of skills were showcased in the comedy series The Community, where he played a student named Troy Barnes. A notable highlight in his career was when he wrote and helped direct his own, now a critically-acclaimed, show called Atlanta. He has won one Golden Globe along with countless other wins and nominations in subsequent award shows. In 2018, Childish Gambino released the song “This is America” which gained much attention for its open critique on how violence is treated in America. He consistently finds creative ways to express his emotions with little fear of the sometimes ironic aspects of our reality.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur was an incredible artist who has left an impressionable mark on the music industry and the world. Born to members of the Black Panther Party, Tupac was always aware of his country’s political climate. He was an excellent student however was not able to finish his education. He soon got involved in his new neighbourhood’s “gang culture” (Encyclopaedia Britannica) which made good material for his music. In 1990 he first began his career with a rap group in Oakland which helped him to gain musical attention. Underneath the stage names ‘2pac’ and ‘Makaveli’, Shakur released 12 albums between 1991 and 1996 before his assassination in 1996. Although he was killed in 1996, his music and vocal recordings did not stop being produced then. There are Tupac albums that were continuously released between 1996 and 2004. The music released after Shakur’s death had producers and appearances including Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Nas. His music often tackled unconventional topics and was used as a form of his activism.
Dapper Dan
Dapper Dan is an incredibly influential Black artist as he was able to successfully create his own fashion brand which many other companies and designs draw inspiration from. He has always been aware of society’s treatment of Black people and wanted to showcase African-American art to draw attention to his community. He was raised in Harlem during the 1950s and opened his store in 1982. He is largely credited for introducing pieces of ‘high-fashion’ to the hip-hop world as many popular musicians during the 1980s began to showcase some of his designs and influence. Most notably his 1989 jacket design worn by Olympic medalist Diane Dixon, which has now been used as an homage by Gucci. He also does not shy away from potential conflict but rather shares his views on the appropriation of black culture with a minimal filter. His influence was certainly a great one and his brand name lives on today.
Some more notable mentions: Amandla Stenberg [has participated in activism since a young age], Cicely Tyson [an influential and inspiring black actress], Sidney Poitier [first Black man to win Best Male Lead at the Oscars] and many more Black artists!
While all of these public figures are incredibly impactful through their actions, this list barely scrapes the surface of all the influence Black creators have had, and continue to have on the world. There are many more Black public figures that this article could have highlighted especially in the world of politics, medicine, sports and journalism. Continue to support Black leaders everywhere and help them make waves in society. Happy Black History Month!
