With the news cycle continuing to look more and more abysmal for Black folks, it’s more important than ever that people speak up and advocate for the issues that impact our community. That’s especially true for Black celebrities who have a responsibility to use their large platforms to send a message to those who need to hear it.
As legendary actress Viola Davis made news for rejecting Target’s apology for a Halloween costume that evoked racist imagery, we’re highlighting other Black celebrities who consistently raise their voices on the issues that matter.
Viola Davis
Let’s start with EGOT-winner Viola Davis. On Tuesday, she added her valuable two cents related to the Target Halloween costume scandal and backlash. While the billion-dollar company issued an official apology on all of its social media platforms, it wasn’t enough for the “Widows” star.
“Target, I do not accept your apology, and I do not believe that you understand the impact… the pain… the dehumanization of the above,” she wrote in a post to social media alongside a picture of the costume and the racist caricature it resembled.
“These images laid the foundation and the ideology for every atrocity that has been committed against my people. We MATTER!! You have shown us that you are not on OUR side,” she concluded.
Related: Black Celebrities Who Fought for Social Justice
D.L. Hughley
@iamjaquilla
THIS IS A SERIOUS QUESTION. Who is hanging these people? There have been multiple disturbing cases this year involving Black people being found hanging, and some families and communities are demanding answers. In at least some cases, authorities have ruled the deaths suicides, while others are still under investigation. I’m not here to accuse anyone without evidence. But I AM asking: Are these cases being investigated thoroughly? Are families getting the answers they deserve? And if foul play is involved, who is responsible? Somebody may know something. If you have information about a specific case, report it to law enforcement—not social media. What do YOU think? Is enough being done to get to the truth?
#blacktiktok #mississippi #northcarolina #louisiana #fyp
Within the last week alone, D.L. Hughley took to his popular podcast to call out a variety of issues, including Black hanging deaths, ICE’s wrongful actions, Project 2025, the blackouts in Gary, Indiana and more. The actor and comedian has been on point, making sure Black folks stay informed about what’s happening around them.
Jenifer Lewis
Legendary actress Jenifer Lewis has never been one to shy away from speaking truth to power (with a few curse words added for a little razzle dazzle), especially on social media. Lately, her most consistent messages have centered on Black people leaning on their community and not giving up on the fight for equality and justice, the importance of voting, and highlighting the wrongdoing of elected officials who consistently enact policies that harm those that they’re supposed to serve.
Rickey Smiley
Rickey Smiley may be a funny guy, but when it’s time to touch on things that need to be talked about, it’s no laughing matter. He recently called attention to the violence that Black women in the U.S. are facing, voting disparities, and the state of Black America in general.
Yvette Nicole Brown
While Yvette Nicole Brown always shines on stage and on screen, she’s also doing the work and sounding the alarm for voting rights. But if you thought the buck stopped there for her, you’d be wrong. She’s also spoken out on issues of online misinformation and disinformation, systemic healthcare issues, systemic racism, and more. Brown rarely misses an opportunity to stay on the right side of history and call out injustice.
