Lupita Nyong'o
Part of the Influential People series
When Lupita Nyong'o was a young girl, she didn't think she could be a famous actor. Now she is an Academy Award winner. Learn more about her rise to stardom!
Jordan Peele
Part of the Influential People series
Comedian Jordan Peele won an Oscar for his movie Get Out. Read more about how he became the first African American screenwriter to win this award!
Yara Shahidi
Part of the Influential People series
Yara Shahidi has acted in popular TV shows and movies. Now she uses her popularity to teach others about important issues. Learn more about her activisim!
Karlie Kloss
Part of the Influential People series
Karlie Kloss is a model who also runs her own business making vegan, gluten-free cookies. In 2014 she started a scholarship to help young women learn how to code. Learn more about how Karlie uses her success to make a difference!
Amandla Stenberg
Part of the Influential People series
Amandla Stenberg had her first big break as Rue in the 2012 The Hunger Games movie. She is an actress, musician, writer, and activist. Learn more about how Amandla Stenberg is using her voice to make a difference!
Chadwick Boseman
Part of the Influential People series
Chadwick Boseman shot to fame with his lead role in the blockbuster Black Panther. Find out more about his rise to stardom!
Maddie Ziegler
Part of the Influential People series
The world saw Maddie Ziegler dance alongside pop star Sia. Now the young dancer is also a writer and actor. Learn more about Maddie's promising career!
Daya
Part of the Influential People series
Singer-songwriter Daya writes songs that bring positive messages to young women. Learn more about the impact she is making in the music industry!
Beyoncé
Part of the Influential People series
Beyonce has been at the top of the music industry for decades. She uses her platform to bring awareness to social issues. Learn more about her passion for helping others.
Khalid
Part of the Influential People series
Singer-songwriter Khalid shot to fame with his song "Location." Find out how this singer became a best new artist!
Michael B. Jordan
Part of the Influential People series
Actor Michael B. Jordan is known for connecting with his characters, including playing the villain in the Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther. Learn more about his rise to fame!
Colin Kaepernick
Part of the Influential People series
Colin Kaepernick is a famous football star. He protested police treatment of black people in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem. Read about how he started a movement!
Marley Dias
Part of the Influential People series
As a sixth-grader, Marley Dias started a campaign to help make sure girls of all races have access to books that feature main characters who look like them. She also went on to write a book of her own. Learn more about how she is making a difference for other young girls!
Stephen Curry
Part of the Influential People series
Stephen Curry is one of the top players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Now he uses his fame to give back to others. Learn more about how Curry became an NBA star!
LeBron James
Part of the Influential People series
LeBron James worked hard to become a National Basketball Association (NBA) star. Now he uses his fame to give back to others. Learn more about how James rose to the top of the NBA!
Storm Reid
Part of the Influential People series
Storm Reid earned praise for her starring role in A Wrinkle in Time. Learn about how this teen actress got her start!
Bindi Irwin
Part of the Influential People series
Bindi Irwin presents on television about animals and conservation. Learn about how she overcame tragedy to find success!
Barack Obama
Part of the Influential People series
As the first African American United States president, Barack Obama broke down barriers and led others to make a difference. Learn more about his road to the White House and how he plans to keep making a difference!
Meghan Markle
Part of the Influential People series
Meghan Markle joined the British royal family after a successful acting career. Read about her career, her human rights work, and her path to becoming royalty!
Jaden Smith
Part of the Influential People series
Jaden Smith acts, sings, and designs clothes. Read about how he has used his talents to launch this exciting and varied career!
Dwayne Johnson
Part of the Influential People series
Dwayne Johnson started his career as a professional wrestler. Now he has become the highest paid male actor in the world. Find out more about his rise to stardom!
Kwame Alexander
Part of the Influential People series
Author Kwame Alexander writes books for children of all ages. His book The Crossover won the Newbery Medal in 2015. Learn more about his writing success!
Millie Bobby Brown
Part of the Influential People series
Millie Bobby Brown rose to fame playing the character Eleven on the Netflix TV show Stranger Things. Now she's using her fame to try to make the world a better place. Learn more about Millie's acting and activism!
Kendrick Lamar
Part of the Influential People series
Grammy-award-winning rap artist Kendrick Lamar uses his lyrics to speak on social issues facing African Americans today. Learn more about how he uses his musical talents to spread awareness.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Part of the Influential People series
Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton is a national hit. Read about how he got his start on Broadway and his rise to fame!
Jason Reynolds
Part of the Influential People series
Jason Reynolds's books are beloved by many readers. Learn about how he became a bestseller!
Laurie Hernandez
Part of the Influential People series
Laurie Hernandez won big in gymnastics at the 2016 Olympics. Read about the hard work and training that helped make her an Olympic champion!
Misty Copeland
Part of the Influential People series
Misty Copeland is one of America's most famous ballerinas. Learn about how she broke barriers for dancers of color and worked her way to the top!