BLACK HISTORY MONTH: 20 OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BLACK SHIFTERS OF ALL TIME

In celebration of Black History Month we’ve put together our list of 20 of the most influential black Shifters of all time. We define a Shifter as “someone who uses their creativity or creates something to impact culture or fill a void in the world around them”. While there are many people who could have easily made our list, these are the people who stood out to us in 2016.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.  Used his gift with words to lead the Black civil rights movement in the United States.

OPRAH WINFREY   Created one of the most influential media empires of all time.

MICHAEL JACKSON   Used his gift with music and dance to arguably become the greatest entertainer of all time.

BILL COSBY  First African American male to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and first African American to win a Primetime Emmy Award. Inspired a generation of Black people to do better through the Cosby Show.

DEBRA MARTIN CHASE  First African American woman to have a solo producing deal at a major studio.

ETHEL WATERS  First African American to star in her own television program.

HERBERT CARNEGIE  First Black person to be offered a contract to play in the NHL. Founded the Future Aces Foundation and the Future Aces Creed to inspire and assist youth and adults to become the best they can be.

SIDNEY POITIER  First Black person to win an Academy Award for best actor.

HARRY BELAFONTE  Singer/songwriter, actor and activist. One of the most successful Caribbean American pop stars in history.

QUEEN LATIFAH  One of the first and most successful female rappers of all time. Successfully crossed over into an award-winning actress.

STEVIE WONDER  One of the most successful singer-songwriters of the late 20th century. Winner of 25 Grammy Awards, more than any other solo male artist.

MAYA ANGELOU  Award-winning poet and author. Civil rights activist.

OSCAR PETERSON  Overcame colour barriers to become one of the greatest jazz pianists. Eight time Grammy winner.

ELLA FITZGERALD AND COUNT BASIE  First African-American Grammy Award winners

BOB MARLEY  One of the bestselling recording artists of all time. Most successful musical act from the Caribbean of all time.

BEN CARSON  First surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head.

PHYLICIA RASHAD  Redefined the Black family by starring on the Cosby Show. First African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

THOMAS L. JENNINGS  First African American to receive a United States patent.

JUDY W. REED  First African American woman to receive a United States patent.

TIANA  First African American animated Disney Princess

Sources: blackpast.org, wikipedia.org, Forbes

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Also read:

NAOMI CAMPBELL, TYRONE ‘T-REX’ EDWARDS AMONG HONOREES AT OTTAWA BLACK HISTORY GALA