There
is something magical and beautiful about a confident woman of color
owning her talent and natural beauty. This is the case with many
black female celebrities in Hollywood –
powerful
and gorgeous black women who are amazing at what they do. These women
have not only made strides for themselves, but have pushed the world
to further embrace diversity, inclusion and equity in the
entertainment industry. With black female role models like Rihanna,
Halley Berry, Kerry Washington and Zendaya, young girls of color see
themselves represented on the big screen, and know that they too can
pursue similar aspirations. Although, there are many more beautiful
women of color on the big screen, here are 12 of the most beautiful
and inspirational black actresses of Hollywood.
Kerry
Washington
Kerry
Washington was born in The Bronx, New York in 1977, and is most known
for her roles in “Scandal,”
“Django Unchained”
and “Save
the Last Dance.”
Halle
Berry
Halle
Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966, and is known for a
plethora of memorable films, like “Catowoman,”
“Monster’s Ball,” “Frankie & Alice,” “Perfect
Stranger,” “X-Men,” “Their Eyes Were Watching God,”
and many more.
Lupita
Nyong’o
Born
in 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico, became a household name with films
like “Black
Panther,” “Us,”
and “12
Years a Slave.”
Angela
Bassett
A
legendary actress, Bassett is known for her memorable roles in films
like, “How
Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Black Panther,” “Waiting to
Exhale,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and
the list goes on.
Tracee
Ellis Ross
Born
in Los Angeles in 1972, and daughter of iconic singer Diana Ross,
Tracee Ellis Ross became everyone’s favorite girlfriend with sitcom
“Girlfriends,”
and further cemented her career with “Black-ish.”
Taraji
P. Henson
Born
in Washington D.C, in 1970, actress and producer Taraji P. Henson is
known for her roles in “Hidden
Figures,” “Hustle and Flow,”
and “Empire.”
Zendaya
Born
in Oakland, California in 1996, Zendaya has transformed from a child
star to a serious film actress, with recent roles in “Spider-man:
Homecoming”
and “The
Greatest Showman.”
Tika
Sumpter
Tika
Sumpter was born in New York in 1980, and has become a major player
in Hollywood, starring in films like “Think
Like a Man,” “Southside with You,”
and “Sparkle.”
Queen
Latifah
A
legend in the music industry, Queen Latifah has also found success in
Hollywood with films like “Set
it Off,” “Last Holiday,” “Hairspray,”
and “Just
Wright.”
Meagan
Good
Meagan
Good was born in Panorama City, California in 1981. She began acting
at the age of 4 and quickly became a household with movies like “You
Got Served,” “Deliver Us from Eva,”
and “Think
Like A Man.”
Nia
Long
Born
in Brookly, New York in 1970, Nia Long has starred in several classic
films like “The
Best Man,” “Big Momma’s House,”
and “Soul
Food.”
Jill
Scott
Born in 1972 in North Philadelphia, Jill Scott got her start as a talented singer and successfully made the crossover to acting as well – starring in films and shows like “The First Wives Club,” “Black Lightning,” and “Why Did I Get Married?”
