Exploring Global Blackness with 50 Globally Black Figures
Beyond the Traditional Boundaries
The concept of “Blackness” is often narrowly defined, particularly in social and political contexts, where it is frequently synonymous with African-American identity or directly tied to origins within the African continent. However, Blackness is a social construct that transcends these conventional boundaries. There exists a broader African Diaspora, rich in diversity, spanning regions far beyond Africa and the Americas—encompassing cultures across the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world with deep Afro-Origins or Afro-Centric identities.
In recent times, figures like Kamala Harris have had their Blackness called into question, as some attempt to confine the definition of Black identity to rigid, geographic lines. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Tamil descent, embodies a more expansive understanding of Blackness—one that includes the complexities and intersections of multiple cultures and histories. Her identity is part of a global tapestry of Blackness, which includes individuals who are writers, educators, politicians, academics, and artists from diverse backgrounds.
This article presents a list of 50 globally influential figures who represent this broader concept of Blackness. These individuals hail from various parts of the world—beyond the African continent and African-American experience—yet their contributions to culture, education, politics, and the arts are deeply rooted in or connected to African diasporic identities. They challenge the conventional notions of Blackness, offering a more inclusive and global perspective. Kamala Harris stands among these figures, exemplifying the richness and diversity of global Black identity.
50 Globally Influential Black Figures
1. Bob Marley (Jamaica)
Bob Marley is an iconic reggae musician and cultural figure who brought Jamaican music and the message of Rastafarianism to a global audience.
2. Pelé (Brazil)
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
3. Kamala Harris (Jamaica/United States)
Kamala Harris, of Jamaican and Tamil descent, made history as the first female Vice President of the United States and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history.
4. Rihanna (Barbados)
Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados, is a globally acclaimed singer, actress, and businesswoman. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and has also made a significant impact in fashion and philanthropy.
5. Sydney Poitier (Bahamas/United States)
Sydney Poitier, though widely associated with the United States, was born in the Bahamas. He was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor.
6. Nicki Minaj (Trinidad and Tobago/United States)
Nicki Minaj is a globally recognized rapper, singer, and songwriter, born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in the United States.
7. M.I.A. (Sri Lanka/United Kingdom)
M.I.A., a British rapper of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, is known for her politically charged music and activism.
8. Kool Herc (Jamaica/United States)
Kool Herc, born in Jamaica, is credited as one of the founding fathers of hip-hop, revolutionizing music with his breakbeat DJing technique.
9. Professor Heidi Safia Mirza (United Kingdom)
Professor Heidi Mirza is a pioneering British educator, focusing on race, gender, and educational inequalities.
10. CLR James (Trinidad and Tobago/United Kingdom)
C.L.R. James was a Trinidadian historian and author known for his work on the Haitian Revolution and contributions to literature and politics.
11. Grace Jones (Jamaica)
Grace Jones, born in Jamaica, is a singer, model, and actress known for her androgynous appearance and pioneering role in music and fashion.
12. Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Australia)
Oodgeroo Noonuccal was an Aboriginal Australian poet, activist, and educator, instrumental in the Australian civil rights movement.
13. David Unaipon (Australia)
David Unaipon, an Aboriginal Australian inventor and author, is often referred to as “Australia’s Leonardo da Vinci.”
14. Cheddi Jagan (Guyana)
Cheddi Jagan was a Guyanese politician and the first Premier of British Guiana, later serving as President of Guyana.
15. Michael Somare (Papua New Guinea)
Sir Michael Somare was the first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and a key figure in the nation’s independence.
16. Phil Lynott (Ireland)
Phil Lynott was the frontman of the rock band Thin Lizzy, breaking barriers in the predominantly white rock music scene.
17. Desi Bouterse (Suriname)
Desi Bouterse is a controversial yet influential figure in Suriname’s history, serving as both a military leader and President.
18. Yasuke (Japan)
Yasuke, an African samurai, served under Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga, symbolizing the historical interactions between Africa and Asia.
19. Kalyan Ali Balaven (INDIA/United States)
Kalyan Ali Balaven, of Tamil and West Indian heritage, is an educator known for his innovative approaches to global citizenship and progressive education.
20. Stuart Hall (Jamaica/United Kingdom)
Stuart Hall was a Jamaican-born cultural theorist whose work in cultural studies significantly impacted media and identity discourse.
21. GLORIA RAJKUMAR (GUYANA/CANADA)
Gloria Rajkumar is the CEO and President of SIMAC Canada Inc. She has built a successful business in the medical evaluations industry, with her company recognized across Canada for its excellence and innovation.
22. Anthony Carmona (Trinidad and Tobago)
Anthony Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago, is known for his advocacy for social justice and human rights.
23. Bernice Pauahi Bishop (Hawaii, United States)
Bernice Pauahi Bishop was a Hawaiian princess with African roots and a philanthropist who founded the Kamehameha Schools, preserving Hawaiian culture.
24. Errol Barrow (Barbados)
Errol Barrow was the first Prime Minister of Barbados and is celebrated for leading the country to independence.
25. Léon-Gontran Damas (French Guiana)
Léon-Gontran Damas, a founder of the Négritude movement, celebrated Black culture and identity through his literary work.
26. Marcia Langton (Australia)
Professor Marcia Langton is an Aboriginal Australian anthropologist and activist, contributing significantly to Indigenous studies.
27. Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
Vybz Kartel, a Jamaican dancehall artist, has significantly influenced the genre despite legal troubles.
28. Faraaz Khan (Maldives)
Faraaz Khan, an artist and filmmaker from the Maldives, explores identity and globalization through his creative work.
29. Dhee (Sri Lanka)
Dhee is a contemporary Tamil singer known for her contributions to Indian film music and her powerful voice.
30. Bilqis Al-Malikah (Yemen)
Bilqis, also known as the Queen of Sheba, is a historical figure symbolizing wisdom and leadership in Yemeni culture.
31. Audrey Lorde (Caribbean/United States)
Audrey Lorde, a Black feminist writer born to Caribbean immigrant parents, is a key figure in feminist and LGBTQ+ discourse.
32. Pulu (Andaman Islands)
Pulu, an elder of the Onge tribe in the Andaman Islands, is a custodian of his people’s oral traditions and cultural heritage.
33. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (New Zealand)
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, of Māori and European descent, is a world-renowned opera singer from New Zealand.
34. George Lamming (Barbados)
George Lamming is a celebrated Barbadian novelist and essayist known for his exploration of colonialism and Caribbean identity.
35. Derek Walcott (Saint Lucia)
Derek Walcott was a Saint Lucian poet and playwright who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.
36. Linton Kwesi Johnson (Jamaica/United Kingdom)
Linton Kwesi Johnson, a Jamaican-born poet, is known for his work in dub poetry and his critiques of racism and social injustice.
37. Marlon James (Jamaica)
Marlon James is a Jamaican author who won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings.
38. ANN-MARIE DECAIRE (TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO)
Ann-Marie Decaire is the CEO of Caribbean Airlines, leading one of the most prominent airlines in the Caribbean region. Her leadership is pivotal in enhancing connectivity within the Caribbean and beyond.
39. Dionne Brand (Trinidad and Tobago/Canada)
Dionne Brand is a Trinidadian-Canadian poet and novelist known for her explorations of race, gender, and social justice.
40. Jean Rhys (Dominica/United Kingdom)
Jean Rhys, born in Dominica, was a novelist known for her work Wide Sargasso Sea.
41. Maryse Condé (Guadeloupe)
Maryse Condé is a Guadeloupean novelist known for her exploration of the African diaspora and Caribbean identity.
42. Olive Senior (Jamaica)
Olive Senior is a Jamaican poet and novelist who explores Caribbean culture, history, and identity in her work.
43. Gordon Korman (Trinidad and Tobago/Canada)
Gordon Korman is a prolific writer born in Trinidad and Tobago, known for his books for children and young adults.
44. Paulette Ramsay (Jamaica)
Paulette Ramsay is a Jamaican academic and writer known for her contributions to Afro-Caribbean literature.
45. Zadie Smith (Jamaica/United Kingdom)
Zadie Smith, of Jamaican and British descent, is a celebrated novelist known for her exploration of multiculturalism and identity.
46. Shani Mootoo (Trinidad and Tobago/Canada)
Shani Mootoo is a Trinidadian-Canadian writer and visual artist whose work explores gender, sexuality, and identity.
47. Richard Allsopp (Guyana)
Richard Allsopp was a Guyanese linguist and lexicographer who made significant contributions to the study of Caribbean languages and creoles.
48. Claude McKay (Jamaica/United States)
Claude McKay was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, but he was born in Jamaica. His work often explores the struggles of Black people in the face of racism and colonialism.
49. Yogi B (Malaysia)
Yogi B is a pioneering Tamil hip-hop artist from Malaysia. He is recognized for popularizing Tamil hip-hop and has influenced the genre both regionally and globally.
50. Ravi Jay (Sri Lanka)
Ravi Jay is a Tamil hip-hop artist from Sri Lanka known for his innovative music that blends traditional Tamil sounds with modern hip-hop beats. His work has been influential in expanding the reach of Tamil music globally.