10 Legendary Black Celebrities who Made Cleveland Ohio Proud
Cleveland is home to the most remarkable black celebrities representing the black community in the best possible ways and making us all proud. From sonic landscapes to friendly communities, there are countless reasons to love Cleveland, Ohio. If you belong here or are looking forward to being a part of this fantastic region, the following list of famous people, including singers, writers, artists and actors with ties to Cleveland, will blow your mind.
Who are the most famous celebrities?
- LeBron James
- Jim Brown
- Eddie Levert
- Yvette Nicole Brown
- Jimmy Scott
- Terrence Howard
- Antwone Fisher
- Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
- Macy Gray
- Kid Cudi
Let’s dive in!
1: LeBron James
The Kid from Akron will always be adored for bringing a championship to Cleveland. However, the athlete, actor, and pitchman has also become an unofficial global ambassador for Northeast Ohio, hosting a world premiere of "Trainwreck" in his hometown and showcasing the region in Nike ads that were shot there.
2: Jim Brown
He is a globally famed Actor, activist, and athlete. In 1965, the legend of the Cleveland Browns left the team to pursue acting, appearing in films like "Rio Conchos," "The Dirty Dozen," "Ice Station Zebra," and "100 Rifles." He likewise turned into a blunt extremist on issues like race and wrongdoing.
3: Eddie Levert
Since 1958, when he co-founded the O'Jays while attending Canton McKinley High School, the singer has been one of the longest-running performers in the industry. He is the father of Sean and Gerald, and in 2009, he received a BET lifetime achievement award.
4: Yvette Nicole Brown
The East Cleveland native has appeared in "Malcolm in the Middle," "That's So Raven," "Community," and the motion pictures "Dreamgirls" and "(500) Days of Summer." Right before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, Brown earned degrees from Warrensville Heights High School in 1989 and the University of Akron in 1994.
5: Jimmy Scott
As a teenager, the Cleveland native began performing in local clubs, where he developed his distinctive, refined voice and gentle demeanour into an international jazz star. It helped land him in Lionel Hampton's orchestra from 1949 to 1951 when he scored his first hit with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." This led to gigs in the Midwest and South. The famous black celebrity male was known as "Little Jimmy Scott" and played with Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Charles Mingus, three jazz greats. Until an 8-inch growth spurt in his mid-30s, he was a small man—less than 5 feet tall. Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, and Big Maybelle were among the many artists who adored Scott's stunning voice, delicate falsetto, and distinctive rhythms.
6: Terrence Howard
The actor who played Mr Holland in "Mr Holland's Opus," "Crash," and "Hustle and Flow" was born and raised in Cleveland. His most recent project has him playing a hip-hop tycoon on the FOX show "Empire."
7: Antwone Fisher
The author, director, and screenwriter from Cleveland was born in prison to a teenage mother, and until he joined the U.S. Navy, he lived on the streets of Cleveland. The autobiographical 2001 book "Finding Fish," written by Fisher and directed by Denzel Washington, became the basis for the film "Antwone Fisher."
8: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
During an audition in the NWA rapper's dressing room during a show in Cleveland in 1993, the hip-hop group impressed Eric "Eazy-E" Wright. This gave the group a big break. It became one of the country's best hip-hop acts in a year.
9: Macy Gray
The Grammy-winning song "I Try" marked the Canton-raised singer's musical breakthrough at the turn of the century. It led to a semi-regular acting career with minor roles in "Training Day," "Spider-Man," and "Ally McBeal" films and TV shows.
10: Kid Cudi
The Cleveland native spent his childhood in Solon and Shaker Heights. His breakthrough song, "Day 'n' Nite," came out in 2009. Since then, his career has grown to include starting a label and acting in movies and TV shows.
Next,
Black history in Cleveland dates back more than 200 years, to 1809, when George Peake used St. Clair Street to cross the Cuyahoga River. African-Americans who excelled in the arts and sciences transcended sports and shaped American culture have lived and played in Northeast Ohio. However, the current era has shifted the odds in favour of ever-increasing possibilities, chances, and opportunities. It is high time our children take the lead in passing on the legacy of our great black community's legendary and famous stars, and the first step is education. The Legacy School in Cleveland is your best option if you want to make your mark among the world's most influential people and write your own success story. Our high school is the most popular tuition-free charter school in Cleveland, Ohio. Visit www.learnatlegacy.org for more information.