Michael B. Jordan and Denzel Washington (Photo: Getty Images) | Ryan Coogler and John Singleton (Photo: Getty Images)
The Root gathered the trailblazers who built the foundation, and the dynamic stars taking the baton to run their own iconic leg of the race. From breakthrough performances to Oscar wins to multi-hyphenate moguls reshaping entertainment, these are the figures defining Black cinema, music, and culture right now.
Denzel Washington — Acting Legend
Denzel Washington has proven his status as a Hollywood acting giant with a career spanning five decades that redefined what Black men can achieve on screen. His films have grossed more than $4.5 billion worldwide across 60+ theatrical releases, including “American Gangster” ($269M) and “The Equalizer” franchise (nearly $574.4M combined).
With two Academy Awards, a Tony, and two Golden Globes, his real magic lies in how deeply audiences revere him. When Denzel is on screen, Black households sit up, lean in, and celebrate an artist who never compromised his dignity for the industry. Through directing and producing masterpieces like “Fences” and “Antwone Fisher,” he continues to protect, elevate, and pass the torch of Black storytelling.
Michael B. Jordan — Rising Star
Michael B. Jordan is one of Hollywood’s hottest actors right now. From “Fruitvale Station” to the “Creed” franchise, he’s built a career around performances that stick with you, backed up by solid box office numbers that prove audiences show up for his work.
Taking home the 2026 Best Actor Oscar for “Sinners” wasn’t just a personal win. It was a culture-defining moment that locked in his status as an emerging Hollywood legend, signaling that his trajectory will continue shaping entertainment for decades to come.
John Singleton — Legendary Filmmaker
John Singleton’s 1991 debut, “Boyz n the Hood,” became an instant classic and made history. At just 24 years old, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and became the first African American and youngest person ever nominated for Best Director—a record that stood for years.
He went on to win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best New Director and MTV Film and TV Awards for Best New Filmmaker. The trailblazer paved the way for future Black filmmakers in Hollywood through authentic storytelling, also directing and producing influential projects including “Poetic Justice,” “Shaft,” and “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
Ryan Coogler — Expanding the Blueprint
If John Singleton proved that Black stories could shatter Hollywood’s conventions, Ryan Coogler proved they could dominate the entire global box office. The Oakland native consistently turned Black perspective into commercial success, making history with “Black Panther” (2018). The film pulled in $1.35 billion to become the highest-grossing film by a Black director in history.
Now decorated with an Oscar and a Golden Globe, Coogler continues pushing artistic boundaries with works like “Sinners,” cementing a track record that bridges deep cultural soul with massive commercial power.
Janet Jackson — The Supreme Icon of Screen & Stage
Janet Jackson has dedicated more than four decades to redefining what it means to be a pop and R&B superstar, blending fashion, music, and visual storytelling into a solid brand. From her albums “Control” and “Rhythm Nation 1814,” she set the standard for female artists to have creative control over their work.
Her 2023–2024 “Together Again” tour earned $50.9 million and sold 479,000 tickets across the U.S., according to Billboard Boxscore. The five-time Grammy Award winner first captivated audiences as a child star playing Penny on “Good Times,” Charlene on “Diff’rent Strokes,” and Cleo on “Fame,” laying a foundation rooted in versatility and screen presence as a true living legend.
Teyana Taylor — Entertainment ‘IT’ Girl
Teyana Taylor is seemingly following in Janet Jackson’s footsteps, establishing herself as one of the most versatile Black women in entertainment. She excels as a dancer, singer, director, and actress while making a fashion impact that spans generations.
From her unforgettable “My Super Sweet 16” episode on MTV in 2007 to the Academy Awards stage 19 years later, it’s no wonder she was honored as BET’s 2026 Icon of the Year, an honor presented by Janet Jackson herself. She’s won her first Golden Globe, multiple BET Awards, and an NAACP Image Award following her Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for “One Battle After Another.”
Victoria Monét — Multi-Dimensional Artist
Victoria Monét has been following the Janet Jackson blueprint long before becoming a star in her own right. After spending years writing hits for Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, and others, her debut album “Jaguar II” brought her ten Grammy nominations and three wins—including Best New Artist—plus multiple BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a GLAAD Media Award. Her viral choreography routinely trends on TikTok.
Riding the wave of R&B’s evolution, she’s architecting its future with her sophomore album, “Frequency of Love.” Released in October, it marks her next chapter as a multi-hyphenate.
Spike Lee — Visionary Director
Spike Lee has spent more than four decades challenging Hollywood through provocative storytelling, innovative visuals, and social commentary on race and Black culture. From “Do the Right Thing” to “Malcolm X” to “BlacKkKlansman,” his work remains central in Black cinema and continues influencing generations of filmmakers.
Through 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, he’s launched the careers of legendary Black actors, cinematographers, and crew members, building an infrastructure that makes his movies box office gold. The two-time Emmy winner and two-time Academy Award winner remains one of cinema’s most consequential voices.
Jordan Peele — Conscious Storyteller
Following in Spike Lee’s tradition of vivid imagery, Jordan Peele has carved out his own lane through horror and psychological thrillers. “Get Out” (2017), “Us” (2019), and “Nope” (2022) have accumulated $682M at the box office, catapulting him as one of the top directors of our time.
With multiple Emmy nominations and one win, Critics’ Choice, and Writers Guild wins, Peele proved that socially conscious Black storytelling can bring both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Queen Latifah — Rap Pioneer
Dana Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, has built a career across music, film, television, and business. She’s a Grammy-winning rapper, Oscar-nominated actress, Emmy and Golden Globe winner, producer, entrepreneur, and talk show host—a resumé that reads like several lifetimes of work.
As one of hip-hop’s pioneering female MCs, Queen Latifah brought warmth, royalty, and sisterhood to every screen she graced. From “Living Single” to “Girl’s Trip,” the Kennedy Center honoree shattered glass ceilings with grace and created a legacy where Black women don’t just participate in culture, but own and execute it from the executive suite down.
Keke Palmer — Entertainment Mogul
Keke Palmer is rapidly claiming her crown as the leader of Hollywood’s new school. Like Queen Latifah before her, Palmer built an empire as a beloved multi-hyphenate—blurring the lines between award-winning actress, singer, host, and media mogul.
She has earned two Primetime Emmys and eight NAACP Image Awards, with 24 wins and 60+ nominations overall. Palmer made history as the first Black woman to solo-host the MTV Video Music Awards in 2020 and became the first Black woman nominated for Outstanding Host for a Game Show Emmy Award—which she won for NBC’s “Password.”
Missy Elliott — Hip Hop Visionary
Missy Elliott broke into hip-hop, warped space and time, and reshaped it in her own image. Long before high-concept visual budgets became standard, “Misdemeanor” was redefining pop culture with inflatable trash-bag suits and surreal music videos that made the 2000s feel like they were happening 1000 years in the future.
From albums “Supa Dupa Fly” and “Under Construction” to her record-shattering “Out of This World” arena tour, her vision consistently remains the blueprint for individuality. She has won four Grammy Awards, eight MTV Video Awards (including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award), and was inducted as the first female rapper into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.
Doechii — Standout Music Act
Doechii embodies boldness and fearless experimentation for the new generation. Pushing the musical boundaries of rap through theatrical performances, authentic sound, and standout visual identity—much like Missy Elliott—she’s earned multiple nominations and awards, including two Grammy Awards. Her artistic creativity and confidence make her one of rap’s most compelling voices.
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