5 Black Celebrities Whose Achievements Go Beyond the World of Entertainment

During the NBA’s unique experience within the ‘bubble’ in 2020, Jimmy Butler, with the intention of providing a supportive and collaborative environment, decided to utilise his espresso machine to establish a coffee shop in his hotel room, offering fellow players a place to socialise and exchange ideas. Following his departure from the ‘bubble’, he explored the possibility of expanding this side hustle into a more substantial business venture.
Most celebrities tend to focus on what they excel in, whether it’s acting, singing, playing a sport, or other areas. However, some of them discover additional passions, careers, or hobbies that are truly remarkable.Here are 17 Black celebrities who have achieved noteworthy accomplishments outside their primary careers:1. Singer/songwriter and the Queen of Neo-Soul, Erykah Badu, is also a doula. She has assisted in the delivery of over 50 babies since 2001, including those of Summer Walker and Teyana Taylor’s youngest.In 2024, Erykah shared with Essence, “It’s a sisterhood.It’s a ceremony, it’s a spiritual walk.And doulas are not created, they are born. It is said that those who become doulas are born with a particular type of heart and patience, and that they are drawn towards the work.Erykah has cited her mentors, one of whom is Shafia Monroe, the founder of the ICTC (the International Center for Traditional Childbearing), as having had a significant influence on her own journey.

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“After participating in 14 births, I had the opportunity to undertake her programme, which provided me with the opportunity to learn direct-entry midwifery. This approach involves acquiring knowledge and skills through hands-on experience in the field. In 2001, I had the privilege of obtaining my certification from ICTC, which equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of textbook and technical aspects of the profession. While an innate instinct is certainly a valuable asset, it is through learning and practice that birth workers develop the ability to articulate the intricacies of their work. Prior to the late 1900s, there was no formal recognition of birth workers, although we were already engaged in this practice. It was during the 1980s and 1990s that we began to be more widely accepted.It is therefore essential to have a network in place, and it is crucial that the doula is included in this network. The doula plays a pivotal role in facilitating the process. After we have gathered all our resources, the doula may choose to step back and allow others to take the lead, but their support remains essential. They gently guide the patient, ensuring that their presence and assistance are always available. The most skilled doulas are those who can adapt their approach to fit into the everyday lives of their clients, offering support when it is most needed.

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Kelis is a chef and Le Cordon Bleu-trained saucier.She decided to enrol in culinary school after experiencing some challenges in the music industry. In 2014, she shared with the Guardian, “After Kelis Was Here, I felt a sense of finality. I had this overwhelming feeling of disillusionment with the industry and the people within it. “I had been participating in a race that I had not fully realised I was in. I had woken up one day and realised that ten years had passed. This was not my plan. I had never desired to release albums; my true passion lay in musical theatre.”

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She went on to say that she came to realise that there was something else that she loved. She said that there was a point where she thought about what else she could do if she didn’t do music, and that it had become her identity even though it shouldn’t have been. She said that food had ignited a fire in her and that she came right back to music because it no longer felt like a job. She said that this was a really powerful thing for her.

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Yara Shahidi was awarded her undergraduate degree in social studies and African American studies in 2022, having completed a course of study that included a focus on “Black political thought under a neocolonial landscape.” During her studies, Yara also pursued her acting career, which she continues to balance with her education, including her 136-page thesis “I Am a Man: The Emancipation of Humanness from Western Hegemony Through the Lens of Sylvia Wynter.” In an interview with Vogue, she expressed her feelings on this significant achievement, saying, “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been longing to go to college since I was four, and by 17, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to study. So, to see that come true is a dream fulfilled…For me, as a young adult, it was important to show myself — during these times of transition — that I am capable, and perhaps more capable than I give myself credit for.”

Her application included a letter of recommendation from First Lady Michelle Obama.

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During her time at Northwestern University, where she obtained dual bachelor’s degrees in theatre and international studies, Meghan Markle participated in an internship at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the summer months. Subsequently, in 2014, she assumed the role of an Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

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But actually, her passion for making a difference started way before she started working with the government.When she was just 11, she saw a dish soap advert with the tagline “Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans” and that made her want to do something.At a 2015 UN event, she said, “Two boys from my class said, ‘Yeah. That’s where women belong — in the kitchen.’ I remember feeling shocked and angry, but also just feeling so hurt. It just wasn’t right, and something needed to be done…So, my 11-year-old self worked out that if I really wanted someone to hear me, well then I should write a letter to the first lady. So off I went scribbling away to our first lady at the time, Hillary Clinton.”She also wrote to newscaster Linda Ellerbee, “powerhouse attorney” Gloria Allred, and the company behind the commercial.

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The three women got in touch with her, and Linda even sent a news crew to cover her story.Megan said, “It was about a month later when the soap manufacturer, Proctor and Gamble, changed the commercial for their Ivory Clear Dishwashing Liquid from ‘Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans’ to ‘People all over America …’. That was when I realised the impact of what I’d done. At the age of 11, I had already made a small difference by standing up for what I believed in.”

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The amazing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson set two Guinness World Records (although, sadly, both have now been broken). In 2015, he set the record for most selfies taken in three minutes, taking 105 selfies with fans at the premiere of San Andreas in three minutes.

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