When it comes to Famous Black People, there are several who are widely known. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 famous black people in the world.
Black people are often associated with stereotypically negative characteristics, which can be seen in the media, film, and in many other aspects of society. This is an unfortunate truth since people of color are overrepresented in both well-known and unsung heroes that contribute to society. However, in the past, Black people have proven that they are capable of great things.
List of the Top Ten Famous Black People in the World
1. Martin Luther King Jr (1929 – 4 April 1968)

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most famous people in the world. He was an American civil rights leader, best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent protest. But, who was Martin Luther King Jr. really?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on 15 January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an American Baptist minister.
2. Nelson Mandela (1918 – 5 December 2013)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, as known as Nelson Mandela was a South African politician, anti-apartheid campaigner, lawyer, and philanthropist. Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Mvezo, Cape Province, Union of South Africa.
He was the country’s first black president from 10 May 1994 to 16 June 1999. Also, he was the country’s first black head of state.
Mandela is one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century. He transformed South Africa from a racist, Apartheid nation to a champion of democracy, equality, and liberty. Over the years, Mandela became the inspiration of many, including many non-black leaders.
3. Muhammad Ali (1942 – 3 June 2016)

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., famous as Muhammad Ali after converting to Muslim, was born on January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, US. He was a true pioneer of African American civil rights and a beloved figure of the American public.
Muhammad Ali is a black heavyweight boxer and a world-renowned public figure. He is a three-time heavyweight boxing champion and became the heavyweight champion of the world. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and charismatic figures of the 20th century, and his boxing persona is considered by many to be one of the most recognizable in history.
Since then, he has been called many things: a leader, a hero, a humanitarian, a brother, a father, a friend, a lover of humanity. In short, he was one of the greatest human beings of all time.
The news of Muhammad Ali’s death spread quickly on social media, leaving many fans and admirers in a mix of grief and bewilderment. He was a prominent figure in boxing history.
4. Michael Jackson (1958 – 25 June 2009)

Michael Joseph Jackson, as known as Michael Jackson was born on 29 August 1958 in Gary, Indiana, US. He has been described as the “King of Pop” by critics, artists, producers, and fans; he is best known for his work with the Jackson 5, his solo career.
Jackson was one of the best singers in the world. He was a pop star, a brilliant singer, a record-breaker, a humanitarian, a great dancer, a great songwriter, and an actor. Michael Jackson passed away on 25 June 2009 at the age of 50.
Michael Jackson could be seen as one of the most influential pop stars of all time. His music has been cited as an influence for many artists, including Elvis Presley, who called Jackson’s music his inspiration. Jackson was known for his groundbreaking dance moves and his ability to connect with his audience through his music. Jackson was widely seen as an enigmatic man, with his personal life shrouded in mystery.
5. Barack Obama (1961 – present)

Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America, was born on 4 August 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, US. After graduating from Columbia University in 1983, he moved to Chicago to work as a community organizer.
Eventually working his way up, the political ladder to become a member of the Illinois senate, on 8 January 1997. When he was elected president on 20 January 2009, Obama became the first black president of the United States of America.
Obama is one of the most influential famous men in the modern world, and his impact is felt in many aspects of our lives. From the economy and the environment to the role of women and the LGBT community and beyond. But while there are many Obama-inspired leaders, none are more famous than the former president himself.
6. Kofi Annan (1938 – 18 August 2018)

Kofi Atta Annan, a former Ghanaian diplomat, was born on 8 April 1938, in Kumasi, Colony of the Gold Coast. He died at the age of 80 on 18 August 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. He was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 2001 for his work to bring peace to the world.
Kofi Annan was the seventh United Nations Secretary-General and the first African to hold the position. He served under the UN for years and is credited with improving the world’s development and humanitarian work.
He served as Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan was succeeded by Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General from the Asia Pacific.
7. Pele (1940 – present)

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele was born on 23 October 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil. He was a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a Forward. He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Before his retirement, he scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games.
His 20-year professional career, in which he played for Bauru (1953–1956), Santos (1956–1974), New York Cosmos (1975–1977), and the Brazilian national team (1957–1971). He won three FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1958, 1962, and 1970. The famous black person, Pelé was the best-rated football player in the world.
8. Usain Bolt (1986 – present)

World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter who holds the world record for the 100m and 200m sprints. He is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist, an eleven-time World Champion.
The greatest sprinter of all time was born on 21 August 1986 in Sherwood Content, Jamaica. Usain Bolt became the first sprinter to win both the 100m and 200m titles in the three consecutive Olympics in 2008, 2012, and 2016. He was performing at his best level, demonstrating the fastest times of his career.
As part of the Olympics, Usain Bolt made a huge splash and made history as the world’s fastest man. He also became the first black man to win four World Championship titles in the 200m. Which garnered him a large amount of media attention and gave him even more famous, celebrity status and made him a worldwide symbol of success.
9. Frederick Douglass (1817 – 20 February 1895)

At the time of his death, Frederick Douglass was one of the most famous black people in the world. Born into slavery in Maryland on 14 February 1817. Douglass eventually escaped to the North in September 1838, where he became a prominent abolitionist, writer, and orator.
For the rest of his life, he became one of the most important leaders of the abolitionist movement.
10. Michael Jordan (1963 – present)

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, known as Michael Jordan, is one of the greatest basketball players to have ever lived. He was born on 17 February 1963 in Brooklyn, New York.
There are very few athletes with the status of Michael Jordan, especially when you combine his superstar status with his ability to captivate the American public through his basketball skills. He was the first NBA player to become the first billionaire player in NBA history.
Michael Jordan has been the best basketball player for the Chicago Bulls. Since then, He has been a very successful basketball player, and a very good person as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Black People:
Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most famous black people, credited with the advancement of civil rights, nonviolence, and the merger of the black civil rights movement with liberal ideology.
Paul Robeson (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was one of the first famous black persons. He was an American bass singer and actor, became famous as a star of stage and screen; he was also a star athlete, and activist.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an influential civil rights leader during the mid-20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and served as the first African American President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs and inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.
The most influential African American in history is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a pastor of a Baptist Church and a civil rights activist. He is best known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement and for his “I Have a Dream” speech of August 28, 1963.
The most famous black abolitionist was Frederick Douglass. He was born into slavery but escaped to become an orator, statesman, writer, and social reformer.
Hattie McDaniel was the first Black person (African American) to win an Oscar. She won in the category of “Best Supporting Actress” for her performance in the 1939 film “Gone With the Wind.”
The first black person in Texas was Estevanico who was born in the early 1500s in Azamor, Morocco. His name was Esteban de Dorantes or Mustafa Azemmouri, but he was also called Estebanico. Estevanico, an explorer who arrived in Texas in 1528. He was the first black person to lead an American expedition.
In summary, the history and success of black people in America and around the globe is rich and full of achievements and influential figures. Many black people have made an imprint on the world and left their mark on history.