The Most Influential Black Leaders and Celebs Share 100 Life-Changing Lessons

February 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, a celebration of the outstanding contributions Black people have made to our culture. To honor that legacy, we’re reflecting in this on going series what a century of Black excellence has taught us with “100 Lessons for Black People,” a beautifully curated collection of wisdom and personal insights from some of the most influential Black thought leaders, creatives and innovators across industries who have shaped culture, challenged systems and redefined what success can look like.

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The Internet Split After Amerie’s Tiny Desk Concert

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The Internet Split After Amerie’s Tiny Desk Concert

We hope these lessons will fill you with a sense of pride in what Black people have accomplished despite overwhelming obstacles and inspire you to make a little Black history of your own. Keep reading for these invaluable reflections. Here’s to the next 100 years and beyond of Black history. May our wisdom and our stories never be forgotten.

Stacey Abrams, Politician and Author

“True leadership demands the creation of one’s own standards, not the acceptance of those imposed by a system designed to limit you or, worse, not see you. In moments of crisis, I learned to confront the three possible levers—engagement, neutrality, or complicity—with deliberate intention, recognizing that each carries its own risk,” Abrams told us. “By refusing to adopt the language and expectations of a restrictive system—even after two public electoral defeats—I demonstrated that integrity outweighs conformity, and that I would only make progress if I counted each step forward and refused to be defined by setbacks alone,” she added. “This approach has guided me through criticism, vilification, and mistakes, reminding me that authentic leadership is rooted in setting and measuring against standards that serve a higher purpose, not the constraints of an unjust or indifferent status quo.”

Tramell Tillman, Emmy-winning Actor on “Severance”

My lesson for Black Folks: Get Down Off the Cross. We are part of a body; individually blessed with a role and a function. Our talents, skills, gifts, resources make our presence in this existence profound, but together we’re a force of nature. Know your role, know your function. No one is asking you to save the world, just play your part. 

William Stanford Davis, “Abbott Elementary” Actor

“My lesson for Black folks: Faith and Discipline Beat Doubt. There will be moments when the world questions you. Discipline keeps you steady. Faith keeps you moving. Together, they carry you further than talent alone ever could.”

Dewayne Perkins, “The Blackening” Creator and Actor

“My lesson for Black people: Laugh as much and as often as you can. Laughter deepens my relationships, it deepens my joy, and being a comedian, it very literally deepens my pockets. Laughter is a compass that steers me towards the people and places filled with it and away from places void of it. Also, have you ever laughed in someone’s face instead of arguing with them? It’s the best! Laughter works in almost ALL situations! Do it!”

Traci Thoms, “Rent” Actress and Singer

“Early in my career, I was doing a play, and I was frustrated that my career wasn’t moving as fast as I’d hoped. I was constantly comparing myself to other actors, and I was miserable. It is true—comparison is the thief of joy. But a fellow actor in the play, the late great Curtis McClarin, sat me down and said this to me: ‘The Cream Always Rises. We don’t know when, or how, but we know it will always rise because that’s all Cream knows how to do. It’s inevitable.’ So, be patient and have faith. And always do your best to be the CREAM. This mantra has served me well. Thank you, Curtis McClarin.”

Jean Elie, Actor and “Send Help” Creator

“One thing I’ve learned is nobody’s coming to save you. If you want to be in this industry, you have to put in the work. If you’re an actor, act. Get in an acting class. Connect with filmmakers and volunteer your talent on short films and passion projects. If you’re a writer, write. Create the story you want to see, then connect with filmmakers who are looking to build projects. If you’re a director, direct. Take an acting class, find talented actors, and put them in your work. And when you land the job, push that job. Don’t wait for anyone else to do it for you. You are only as big as your last one. You have to stay active in your career, not passive.”

Beatrice Dixon, CEO The Honey Pot Co.

“Always remain true to yourself and never forget who you are throughout the process. Never, for me, is never forgetting the ancestors. I don’t care if I’m sitting in front of the CEO of JP Morgan, I’m going to mention them. I just show up as who I am, and I’m comfortable in that, and I have a humbleness in that. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to be as successful as we are, and and have been able to sustain our business and keep it alive. There is no table to be invited to. The only reason those hypothetical rooms or tables exist is because people perpetuate those stories.”