25 top black celebrity memoir must reads. There’s been a lot said and written about our favorite black folks, some have even had movies made about them in Hollywood. But why not hear their stories from their own words.
If you enjoy a good book from time to time, here is the ultimate list. From Rapper Common, to Actress Gabrielle Union and Basketball Star Kobe Bryant, you are sure to find a great afternoon getting educated and entertained at the same time.
25 Top Reads In Black Celebrity Autobiographies
Check out these good reads in African American Celebrity Memoirs.
COMMON
Better known as COMMON, Lonnie Corant Jaman Shuka Rashid Lynn is a rapper, actor, writer, author, philanthropist and activist.
GABRIELLE UNION
Known as GABRIELLE UNION, Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade is an actress, activist, and author. Although she is a brand new mama to Kaavia James with husband, NBA star Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle has penned her courageous journey, including all she went through to get to Kaavia in her memoir, We’re Going To Need More Wine.
MIKE TYSON
MIKE TYSON, born Michael Gerard Tyson is an author and former Heavyweight Champion of the World in Professional Boxing.
SIMONE BILES
SIMONE BILES, Simone Arianne Biles is an Artistic Gymnast.
TIMBALAND
Better known as TIMBALAND, Timothy Zachary Moseley is a Record Producer, Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, DJ and Author.
TIFFANY HADDISH
TIFFANY HADDISH, born Tiffany Sirac Haddish is a Actress, Author and Comedian.
MALCOLM X
Muslim Minister, Human Rights Activist and Civil Rights Leader, MALCOLM X was born Malcolm Little. With the excellent writing of Alex Haley, the story of this important leader of historical proportions comes to life on every page.
BOBBY BROWN
Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Dancer Actor and Author, BOBBY BROWN was born ROBERT BARISFORD BROWN. Starting out at a young age with singing group New Edition, Brown is best known as the husband of superstar Whitney Houston.
GABOUREY SIDIBE
Currently on the last season of hist show Empire, Actress and author GABOUREY SIDIBE is also known for her previous roles in the movie Precious and television show American Horror Story: Coven and American Horror Story: Freak Show.
TREVOR NOAH
South African Comedian TREVOR NOAH is also writer, producer, political commentator, actor and television host.
TARAJI P. HENSON
Actress, author and movie star Taraji Penda Henson is best known as TARAJI P. HENSON and is currently in the last season of hit television show Empire.
MUHAMMAD ALI
Born Cassius Clay, Former Heavyweight Champion of the World, Muhammad Ali was also an activist, philanthropist and author. He is respected worldwide.
GUCCI MANE
Rapper, Songwriter and Hip Hop Pioneer, GUCCI MANE was born Radric Delantic Davis.
NELSON MANDELA
Born Ralihlahla Mandela, NELSON MANDELA anti-apartheid revolutionary from South Africa who was also a lawyer, polititian, activist and philanthropist. Injustly arrested in 1962, jailed and sentenced to life in prison, Mandela spent 27 years behind bars in 3 different prisons before being ceremoniously released. Thereafter, serving as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, becoming the country’s first black head of state and first elected in a democratic election.
SPIKE LEE
Shelton Jackson Lee, better known as SPIKE LEE is a film director, producer, professor, writer and actor. Credited with jump starting many highly successful careers in film, Lee’s work spotlights the early careers of stars such as Halle Berry, Samual L. Jackson, Tisha Campbell-Martin and Kerry Washington, just to name a few.
VIVICA A. FOX
Born Vivica Anjanetta Fox, VIVICA FOX is an actress, author, producer and television host.
RICHARD PRYOR
Widely regarded as the known as the most influential and greatest stand-up comedians of all time, RICHARD PRYOR was born Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor. More than just a comedian, Pryor also delved into television and movie roles.
JENIFER LEWIS
Jennifer Janette Lewis, known by JENIFER LEWIS is an actress, author and activist and singer.
KOBE BRYANT
Kobe Bean Bryant, known by KOBE BRYANT is a former professional basketball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
MICHELLE OBAMA
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama was the first African-American First Lady in the United States of America, wife of the first African American President, Barack Obama. Before becoming the First Lady of the USA, MICHELLE OBAMA was a lawyer, administrator, public speaker and author. Not only did Mrs. Obama graduate from Princeton University, she is also a graduate of Harvard Law School.
TYLER PERRY
Born Emmitt Perry, Jr., TYLER PERRY owns one of the largest film studios in the nation and is the first African American to outright own a major film studio. Perry is an actor, playwright, film maker and comedian.
NINA SIMONE
Eunice Kathleen Waymon was best known as singer NINA SIMONE. Even if you have never heard of her before, you no doubt have heard her voice in numerous movies and television shows. Ranges of her music covered Classical, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Pop, Folk and Gospel. Simone was a professional singer, songwriter, pianist, musician, author, arranger, composer and civil rights activist.
KEVIN HART
Funny man Kevin Darnell Hart, known as KEVIN HART is a stand-up comedian, actor, author and producer.
TINA TURNER
Although TINA TURNER, born Anna Mae Bullock, started out her career as singing performing as half of Ike and Tina Turner, she put pen to paper her chaotic relationship with her then husband, Ike Turner in her memoir, I, Tina. After that episode of her life, she continued to soar in her career as a solo act. Later, she found true love in her current husband and wrote another book.
Not only is she a singer, but Turner is also an author, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer and producer and is known and respected internationally.
MICHAEL JORDAN
Described often as the best basketball player of all time, MICHAEL JORDAN, born Michael Jeffrey Jordan is also known as simply MJ. Not only was he a professional basketball player, he is also an author, a principal owner of an NBA team and successful businessman.
Though these 25 top reads are some great autobiographies to start with, there are many more that could be on this list. Check out your nearest library, or you can go online for many more titles. Here’s a link to Amazon…Happy reading!
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