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Legends Who Led the Way: Serena Williams, H.E.R. and More Black Celebs on Trailblazers in Their Fields

Legends Who Led the Way: Serena Williams, H.E.R. and More Black Celebs on Trailblazers in Their Fields

Entertainers, innovators and changemakers pay tribute to those who inspired them and continue to light the path for others

By People Staff

February 17, 2021 09:00 AM

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GMA's Robin Roberts

Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Ryan Pfluger

"Robin is strong, inspirational, kind — and has opened up so many doors for the little girls who watched her then, hoping to make their own mark, and those who watch her now on Good Morning America." —WNBA star Candace Parker

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Actor Sidney Poitier

Credit: ; Dominik Bindl/Getty

“He was a trailblazer early in the business, and he paved the way for people like me to exist. He laid the law down early and didn’t take no for an answer, and, at a time when the odds were stacked against him, he persevered." —actor LaKeith Stanfield

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Tennis Player Zina Garrison

Credit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography/Getty; Presley Ann/Getty

“[When people ask me who inspired me], I always say Zina Garrison. She was an African-American tennis player and — at the time — one of only a handful of Black people [competing professionally]. Man, I just loved seeing her win!" —tennis star Serena Williams

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Food Historian Jessica B. Harris

Credit: Courtesy Carla Hall; Shutterstock

"Because of her, I started to look at my food very differently — thinking outside of just the South and slaves and soul food, to the Creole Coast, the North and the Western range — a vast and diverse influence that is a big part of American history." —chef Carla Hall

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Musician Lauryn Hill

Credit: Mariano Regidor/Redferns; John Lamparski/Getty

“Lauryn tapped into her own truth and expressed that in a way that nobody else could. She gave voice to the voiceless, which is an inspiration to me because that’s something I also strive to do." —musician H.E.R.

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Congressman Andrew Young

Credit: Chuck Fishman/Getty; NBAE/Getty

"To know that Andrew Young was a friend and counsel to [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] — there’s so much knowledge to gain from heroes like him. He’s an inspiration." —NBA star Chris Paul

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Singer Mary Wilson

Credit: MPTV; Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

"Mary was an icon in my house because she epitomized style, taste and class. I met her in person in 2019, and that was a very scary moment. They always say never meet the people you look up to, but I can tell you she lived up to the hype." —Queer Eye's Karamo Brown

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Businessman George E. Johnson Sr.

Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty; Bennett Raglin/Getty

"Because he was willing to use Black law firms, accounting firms, marketing and advertising agencies, he developed the ecosystem, creating true wealth in the Black community, in Chicago and nationally. That’s why he’s my hero: He showed me you can not only create a business built on excellence, but also give back to the community.” —businessman John W. Rogers Jr.

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Writer Toni Morrison

Credit: Bruce Gilbert/Newsday/Getty; Courtesy Isabel Wilkerson

“Toni Morrison is the literary mother of every Black writer — we who yearn to be worthy of walking in her shadow, though we know full well that anyone who loves language is her heir, that she belongs to the world far beyond ourselves." —writer Isabel Wilkerson

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Singer Charley Pride

Credit: Erica Goldring/Filmmagic

"Over the years of me trying to do things I was told I couldn’t or shouldn’t do, I always looked to Charley as a reason to say, ‘Yes, I can.’ When I got a record deal and realized I was going to have a shot, I said to myself, ‘No matter what happens, I can handle it, because it’s nothing compared to what Charley went through.’ " —singer Darius Rucker

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Activist Yvonne Lee

Credit: Courtesy Coco Gauff

"In 1961, at the age of 15, [my grandmother] became the first Black student to integrate Seacrest High School. She went on to become an impactful educator and teacher in our local school system for over 45 years. Her fearlessness is inspiring, her positivity is infectious and her tenacity has taught me to never give up." —tennis star Coco Gauff

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Music Manager Clarence Avant

Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

"[My father's] activism was about everybody. He always told me, ‘Don’t you dare talk about justice and equality for women or Black people then not apply it to others [who need it]. There’s no justice and equality in that.’ " —producer Nicole Avant

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Boxer Muhammad Ali

Credit: Nick Agro/getty; Stanley Weston/Getty

"Muhammad Ali was the one who taught me how to work the fans and the media, to have charisma and promote myself. Without him, there would be no Shaquille O’Neal.” —basketball star Shaquille O'Neal

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama

Credit: Saul Loeb/getty

"Representation matters—kids looked at her and said, ‘If she can be there, then I can too.’ From the way she pushed boundaries to how she inspired young people to eat better and exercise, she changed so many lives." —gymnast Simone Biles

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Lawyer Nina Shaw

Credit: Getty(2)

"She is at the forefront of some of the biggest issues that are facing women and people of color in our industry. Yet when I’m talking to Nina, it is as if she’s sitting by the phone waiting for my call. She’s guided me, she’s guarded me and she’s a blessing to me." —director Ava DuVernay

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Credit: The Tyler Twins

For more stories on Black icons and those breaking barriers in their industries, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Fridays.

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Legends Who Led the Way: Serena Williams, H.E.R. and More Black Celebs on Trailblazers in Their Fields

1 of 16

GMA's Robin Roberts

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Actor Sidney Poitier

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Tennis Player Zina Garrison

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Food Historian Jessica B. Harris

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Musician Lauryn Hill

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Congressman Andrew Young

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Singer Mary Wilson

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Businessman George E. Johnson Sr.

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Writer Toni Morrison

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Singer Charley Pride

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Activist Yvonne Lee

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Music Manager Clarence Avant

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Boxer Muhammad Ali

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama

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Lawyer Nina Shaw

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