1 – Toni Morrison
American Novelist, Editor, and Professor Toni Morrison graduated from Howard University with a B.A in English. The author is best known for her novel Beloved, which one a Pulitzer Prize. The novel was later adapted into a feature film which starred Oprah Winfrey. Morrison has also written best sellers like The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon.
2 – Saul Williams
With a BA in Acting and Philosophy, Actor and Musician Saul Williams graduated from Morehouse College. He is remembered for his appearances on the hit show Girlfriends. Williams also starred in the 1998 film Slam
3 – Wendy Raquel Robinson
Famous for her sassy and snappy role as Tasha Mack on The Game, Wendy Robinson graduated Cum Laude from Howard University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts
4 – Spike Lee
Director, producer, writer, and actor Spike lee, received a BA in Mass Communication from Morehouse College. Lee is responsible for iconic movies like “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Do the Right Thing,” and many more.
5 – Yolanda Adams
World renowned gospel singer Yolanda Adams graduated from Texas Southern University. Adams went on to begin a career as a school teacher. She gave up her career in education to pursue music full time.
6 – Wanda Sykes
Comedienne Wanda Sykes graduated from Hampton University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, in 1986. Sykes went on to work for national security for 5 years and did comedy on the side until she got her big break at a comedy club. Sykes has gone on to do a plethora of television shows and movies.
7 – Jacque Reid
Reid received her B.A degree in Print Journalism from Clark Atlanta. She was former lead news anchor for BET nightly news, and is currently a co-host on NBC’s “New York Live”
8 – Randy Jackson
Producer and former American Idol Judge Randy Jackson, is a 1979 graduate of Southern University, where he majored in Music.
9 – Pam Oliver
NFL and NBA Sportscaster Pam Oliver graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism
10 – Lionel Richie
Singer, Song writer, and Producer Lionel Richie, went to Tuskegee University. There he and friends formed the famous group The Commodores. Richie is a Grammy award winning artist and co-author of the hit song “We Are the World”.
11 – Roberta Flack
Singer Roberta Flack attended Howard University on a scholarship. She is well known for her hit single “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
12 – Anika Noni Rose
Actress Anika Noni Rose is famous for her role as Disney’s first African American Princess in Princess and the Frog, and her role in Dream Girls. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Florida A&M University.
13 – Tom Joyner
Radio Host of the critically acclaimed Tom Joyner Morning show, graduated from Tuskegee University with a degree in Sociology.
14 – Reuben Studdard
American Idol winner Reuben Studdard graduated from Alabama A&M University. He received a degree in Music
15 – Killer Mike
Down south rapper and Dungeon Family affiliate attended Morehouse College
16 – David Banner
Rapper, Producer, and Activist David Banner graduated from Southern University with a degree in Business
17 – Will Packer
Director Will Packer, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&M University. There he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He directed blockbuster hits Think Like a Man, Ride Along, and About Last Night.
18 – Laz Alonso
Actor Laz Alonso and former BET affiliate, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Alonzo had a career in investment banking before he pursued his career in acting. He is known for his roles in Movies like Avatar and Jumping the Broom
19 – Bobby Valentino
Singer Bobby Valentino is a Clark Atlanta University graduate. He obtained his Degree in Mass Communication. The R&B singer is famous for songs like “Slow Down” and his hits single collab with Lil Wayne “Mrs. Officer”.
20 – Toni Braxton
R&B songstress Toni Braxton, contrary to popular belief did attend Bowie State University. The Grammy Award winning artist has gone on to sell millions of records and become one of the faces of R&B as we know it.
21 – Debbie Allen
World renowned dancer Debbie Allen is a Howard University graduate. The Director, Television producer, Choreographer, and Actress obtained her B.A degree in Theatre.
22 – Michael Clark Duncan
Famous for his role in “The Green Mile” Duncan attended Alcorn State University
23 – Keshia Knight Pulliam
Pulliam who will always be known as Rudy Huxtable from The Coby Show, got her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Spelman College. Keshia has gone on to do more television as well as films. Including Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Madea Goes to Jail
24 – 2 Chainz
Tauheed Epps a.k.a known as 2 Chainz graduated from Alabama State University. The G.O.O.D. Music rapper went on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a 4.0 GPA
25 – Lance Gross
NBC’s Crisis actor Lance Gross, graduated from Howard University with A Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Theatre. Gross is best known for his role as Calvin Payne on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne television show.
26 – Rob Hardy
Film Producer Rob Hardy attended FAMU for Mechanical Engineering. He is known for working on projects like Stomp the Yard and episodes of Criminal Minds
27 – Terrence J
Former 106 & Park host Terrence,J is a graduate of North Carolina A&T University. The Entertainment Tonight Host received a degree in Mass Communication from the HBCU
28 – DJ Envy
Breakfast Club DJ and Co-Host, DJ ENVY received his Business degree from Hampton University. Envy has produced a plethora of mixtapes and currently Hosts MTV’s This Week in Jams.
29 – Alice Walker
Walker a novelist, poet, and activist attended Spelman College. She is most famous for her novel “The Color Purple” which was later adapted into a movie starring Whoppi Goldberg
30 – Common
Common who entered the rap scene in the 90s, attended Florida A&M University where he majored in Business Administration. The rapper and actor recently won a Golden Globe Award
31 – K. Michelle
R&B songstress and reality star K. Michelle graduated from Florida A&M University with a degree in Psychology. She was also Miss FAMU in 2003
32 – Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu who is known as the “Queen of Neo-Soul” attended Grambling State University to study theatre
33 – Phylicia Rashad
Award winning actress, Phylicia Rashad graduated from Howard University with a degree in Fine Arts. She is best known for her role as Claire Huxtable on Bill Cosby’s Cosby Show. She is the first African American actress to win a Tony Award for her role in the play Raisin in the Sun.
34 – Samuel L. Jackson
Highest grossing actor of all time Samuel L. Jackson is Morehouse College Alumni. Jackson holds a Degree in Theatre from the prominent university
35 – Diddy
Entrepreneur, and record producer Sean “Diddy” Combs attended Howard University before he left to intern for Andre Harrell. Diddy then went on to start Bad Boy Records, which handled stars like Notorious B.I.G, Faith Evans, and Lil Kim. The Hip Hop Mogul recently received an Honorary Degree in Humanities from the University.
36 – Taraji P. Henson
Award winning Taraji P. Henson and Empire’s Cookie Lyon, is a Howard University graduate with a degree in Theatre Arts.
37 – Oprah
Oprah Winfrey the media queen attended Tennessee State University where she studied Communications. Winfrey has so many jobs it’s hard to keep up. Producer, Talk show host, Media Owner, Philanthropist, and Actor, Winfrey is one of the most celebrated African Americans of our time.
38 – Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Aaron Boseman is an actor known for portraying Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. Boseman is a graduate of Howard University.
39 – Towanda Braxon
Towanda Braxton is a singer, actress, producer and reality star personality on shows “Braxton Family Values, and in films including “Misguided Behavior”. Braxton attended Bowie State University where she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
40 – T’Keyah Crystal Keyman
T’Keyha Crystal Keymah graduated from FAMUwhere she studeied in the theater department. She has been named the very first Kellogg Artist-in-Residence for the Essential Theater program at FAMU + is the namesake of an endowed scholarship. Rattler Pride!
41 – Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley, born Derek Watkins, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known as former personal valet and assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs. He is a host, designer, and published a book about etiquette.
