Top 50 Best Black Actresses Under 30

Letitia Wright, born in Guyana, moved to the United Kingdom with her family at the age of seven.

She gained international recognition for her standout performances in the superhero franchise films Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Letitia appeared in numerous films and TV series, establishing herself as a talented actress.

Her filmography includes hit series like Top Boy, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror, as well as movies such as Urban Hymn, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Death on the Nile, and The Silent Twins.

Amandla Stenberg was recognized by Time magazine as one of the most influential teens in both 2015 and 2016.

They are a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and identify as non-binary, using they/them pronouns.

Amandla has delivered standout performances in films and series such as Columbiana, Sleepy Hollow, The Hunger Games, Rio 2, Everything, Everything, The Hate U Give, The Darkest Minds, Where Hands Touch, The Eddy, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Acolyte, among others.

Marsai Martin is a talented young actress who has made history as the youngest producer in Hollywood.

Her journey began when a photographer encouraged her father to submit her photos to a talent agency, which quickly led to her signing her first contract.

At just five years old, Martin booked her first commercial, prompting her family to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in acting.

She soon appeared in popular TV shows such as "Little," "Goldie and Bear," "Elena of Avalor," "Dragons: Rescue Riders," "Vampirina," "PAW Patrol," and notably, "Black-ish" and "Grown-ish."

In 2019, Martin became the executive producer of the film "Little," setting a record as the youngest producer in the industry.

Yara Shahidi is a talented actress and prominent activist, known for leveraging her fame to drive positive social change. She created the platform Eighteen x 18, in collaboration with NowThis, to educate first-time voters about their rights and the voting process.

In addition to her work with Eighteen x 18, she founded Yara’s Club—a women’s empowerment initiative that promotes entrepreneurship among young women and inspires leadership in communities.

Beyond her activism, Shahidi has built an impressive acting career with major roles in TV and film, including Black-ish, Grown-ish, The Sun Is Also a Star, Imagine That, Smallfoot, Salt, Alex Cross, and 3Below: Tales of Arcadia.

Shahidi’s recent projects include Peter & Wendy and Sitting In Bars With Cake, further establishing her as a multitalented force on and off the screen.

Courtney "Coco" Jones is a multi-talented singer, rapper, and actress known for her dynamic presence in the entertainment industry. Coming from a musical background, Coco's mother, Javonda Jones, is a session vocalist who played a significant role in shaping her daughter's artistic path.

Coco first caught attention on Radio Disney’s The Next Big Thing, where she showcased her impressive vocal and performance abilities. Her early exposure to the spotlight helped pave the way for her rising career.

She has made memorable appearances on popular TV shows, including So Random!, Let It Shine, Good Luck Charlie, Five Points, Vampires vs. The Bronx, White Elephant, and Bel-Air, among others.

During her time with Hollywood Records, Coco Jones released several independent singles and EPs, further establishing herself as a versatile artist in both music and acting.

Storm Reid began her acting career with smaller roles and cameo appearances in films such as The Girls of Summer and A Cross to Bear. Her breakout moment came when she was cast in the acclaimed drama 12 Years a Slave.

This pivotal role opened the door to more prominent projects, including A Wrinkle in Time, Sleight, Don't Let Go, When They See Us, The Invisible Man, and Suicide Squad.

Currently, Reid showcases her talent in the hit HBO drama series Euphoria. She is widely recognized for her impressive acting skills and shows immense potential for future success.

Zazie Olivia Beetz is the daughter of a German cabinetmaker and an American social worker.

She spent her childhood in both Germany and the United States, which allowed her to become fluent in both German and English.

Before her breakthrough, Zazie worked various jobs, including waitressing and taking small roles in television series and short films.

Her persistence paid off when she landed a major part in the acclaimed TV series Atlanta.

Since then, Beetz has appeared in several other television shows, such as Easy, Home Movie: The Princess Bride, Acting for a Cause, Robot Chicken, and Invincible.

Her film credits include roles in Wolves, Deadpool 2, Joker, Geostorm, Nine Days, Extinct, The Harder They Fall, and The Bad Guys, among others.

Currently, Beetz is working on Bullet Train and Shelter; the latter is in the pre-production phase.

Willow Smith hails from an exceptionally talented family often seen as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

Her parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, are both acclaimed actors and musicians. Her brothers, Jaden Smith and Willard "Trey" Smith, have also made names for themselves in acting and music.

Willow has released five albums and several singles, showcasing her unique artistry. She made her film debut alongside her father in "I Am Legend."

Since then, she has appeared in projects such as "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl," "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," the TV series "True Jackson, VP," the talk show "Red Table Talk," and the documentary "A Man Named Scott."

China Anne McClain is a talented singer and actress, best known for her work alongside her sisters, Sierra and Lauryn, in the girl group 3mcclaingirls.

The group later rebranded as Thrii and has since continued to release music together, captivating audiences with their harmonies and energy.

China and Lauryn also run a YouTube channel where they share music covers, entertaining challenges, and vlogs that offer fans a glimpse into their creative lives.

Beyond her musical success, China Anne McClain has built a robust acting career. She has starred in acclaimed projects such as The Gospel, House of Payne, Daddy's Little Girls, A.N.T. Farm, Grown Ups, Descendants 2 and 3, Black Lightning, and The Paynes, showcasing her impressive range.

Halle Lynn Bailey, alongside her sister Chloe, displayed remarkable musical talent from an early age. Their passion for music was nurtured as they practiced covering songs by Beyoncé, honing their vocal abilities together.

Relying on YouTube tutorials, the sisters taught themselves to play multiple musical instruments, further expanding their artistry. Together, they formed a dynamic duo that steadily rose in prominence and received five Grammy Award nominations since 2018.

In addition to their musical achievements, Halle has appeared in television shows such as Let It Shine, Joyful Noise, and Austin & Ally. The siblings also clinched victory in season 5 of Radio Disney's "The Next Big Thing."

Halle Bailey's acting career continued to flourish with roles in Grown-ish and as the lead in the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Vanessa Morgan is a talented Canadian singer and actress known for her captivating performances across film and television.

She began her journey as a child, singing at community and charity events, where her talent caught the attention of a Hollywood agent.

Her early promise earned her a scholarship to study drama at a prestigious acting school in Hollywood.

Vanessa has taken full advantage of these opportunities, starring in popular TV series such as The Latest Buzz, Harriet The Spy: Blog Wars, Frankie & Alice, My Babysitter's a Vampire, A.N.T. Farm, Finding Carter, The Shannara Chronicles, and Riverdale.

Sydney Mikayla is a talented young actress who rose to fame for her portrayal of Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas in the acclaimed biopic about Douglas's life.

Her powerful performance earned her a Young Artist Award, highlighting her impressive abilities at an early age.

Beyond this standout role, Sydney has appeared in popular television shows such as General Hospital, Hawthorne, Community, Hot in Cleveland, Fuller House, and School of Rock, showcasing her range across different genres.

After graduating high school, Sydney began attending UCLA in 2021, balancing her studies with her flourishing career.

She also lends her voice to the Netflix animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, further expanding her diverse resume in entertainment.

Demi Patricia Singleton is an emerging singer, dancer, and actress known for her impressive talent at a young age.

She made her Broadway debut at just 10 years old, performing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock. After a year in the production, she transitioned to her next notable role in the celebrated Broadway musical The Lion King.

In 2018, Singleton took on the role of Margaret Johnson in the acclaimed TV series Godfather of Harlem. Expanding her career further, she played young Serena Williams in the acclaimed film King Richard, earning praise for her outstanding performance.

Imani Hakim gained fame playing Tonya Rock in the UPN/ CW show, Everybody Hates Chris.

It was her first recurring role that she got after moving to Los Angeles.

After months of facing hard times and even homelessness, Imani Hakim and her father were overjoyed.

That role was not the end of her journey, as Hakim went on to play many more major roles in TV series.

They include the role of Gabby Douglas in The Gabby Douglas Story and other prominent roles in Chocolate City, Burning Sands, The Replacement, ER, Wizards of Waverly Place, Mythic Quest, etc.

Most recently, she appeared in Dinner Party and is filming for 40.

Skai Jackson started her career as a child model and appeared in the ads for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Band-Aid, and Old Navy.

After working as a model, Jackson started work in films and projects like Liberty Kid, Smurfs, Boardwalk Empire, Bubble Guppies, etc.

However, Skai Jackson received widespread fame for her roles as Zuri Ross in Jessie, Bunk’d, Austin & Ally, Glory Grant in Marvel Rising, DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Raiders, Dora The Explorer, etc.

You can also see her in shows like The Man in the White Van, Sheroes, and Peter Pan, Land of Forever.

Zora Howard is a gifted artist and playwright with a talent for acting.

From a young age, she would write poetry. Zora showed interest in performing with the spoken word group, The Strivers Row.

At 13 years, Zora won the Urban Word NYC Grand Slam finals, becoming their youngest winner.

Zora Howard performed in short films, plays, etc. The director Rashaad Ernesto Green, who previously worked with Howard in theater plays, invited her again to work on his first feature film, Gun Hill Road.

Green co-wrote Prematurely. It was Zora Howard’s first starring role.

In February 2020, Zora’s debut play, STEW was finalized for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Gabriela Kaleialiisol Kreszchuk shortened her name to Gabby Soleil for professional reasons.

She began her career with a guest role in Danny and followed it up with the recurring role in The Hughleys.

She also worked in My Wife and Kids, That's So Raven.

All About The Andersons, etc. Gabby Soleil’s memorable roles have been in Johnson Family Vacation, The Reading Room, Half and Half, Cold Case, ER, etc.

She is the voice behind Jazmine Dubois in the acclaimed TV series, The Boondocks.

Chloe Bailey and her sister Halle are a musical duo who have successfully released many hit singles and albums from a young age.

They have earned five Grammy Award nominations since 2018. With success in the music field, Chloe began to concentrate on her acting career as well.

Both sisters have worked in shows like Let It Shine, Austin & Ally, Joyful Night, etc.

Chloe appeared in TV series and films like The Fighting Temptation, Meet The Browns, The Georgetown Project, Grown-ish, and Black-ish.

Raven Goodwin was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award with her debut performance in Lovely & Amazing.

This nomination set the tone for all future projects and roles to come.

Raven worked as a child artist in The Station Agent ( got a SAG nomination for her role), Phat Girlz, Just Jordan, Good Luck Charlie, etc.

She moved to mainstream and mature roles with Huge, Being Mary Jane, SMILF, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, Snatched, etc.

Jaylen Barron has gained a name for herself in the Netflix series Free Rein. She also appeared in the subsequent films based on this series.

Jaylen started her career in the TV series Bones with a guest appearance.

She followed it up with shows like Shake it Up, Good Luck Charlie, Shameless, 9-1-1, Twelve Forever, etc.

Her recent role has been in the Starz series called Blindspotting, based on the comedy film with the same name.

Madison Pettis began with small videos for Barney and Friends. She gained national recognition for her role as Peyton Kelly (Dwayne Johnson’s daughter) in Game Plan.

The role opened doors for her to be cast in the new Disney Channel show.

Pettis appeared in successful roles in Hannah Montana, Cory In The House, Phineas and Ferb, Jake and The Never Land Pirates, Lab Rats, The Fosters, etc.

She also appeared in films like Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, its sequel, American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules, He’s All That, etc.

Ella Balinska is a British actress who studied drama and acting at the Guildford School of Acting.

Ella appeared in a few minor roles before she was cast as Nyela Malik in The Athena, a British television series.

After that, Ella Balinska appeared in Charlie’s Angels as Jane Kano.

She followed it up with Run Sweetheart Run. Balinska is working on the Netflix series Resident Evil, and she will also appear in the live-action video game, Forsaken and The Occupant.

Parker McKenna Posey is an upcoming artist who broke into the national scene with My Wife and Kids.

She played Kady Kyle, a role that left a lasting impression on the mind and hearts of the viewers.

Some of her other memorable projects include Games People Play, A House Divided, Heaux Phase, 90 Minutes of the Fever, etc.

Ariana Neal is a talented vocalist who uses her voice to create magic.

On her Youtube channel, you can hear her sing the cover for songs by Nina Simone, Adele, Alessia Cara, and Sam Smith.

She has worked in Footloose, Fruitvale Station, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Brothered Up, Hidden Figures, etc.

Currently, she is working in Archive 81 and Whealthy and Wise.

Rhyon Nicole Brown is a singer, actress, and dancer. She is also the younger sister of ReVaughan Nichelle Brown.

With her triple-threat talents of singing, dancing, and acting, Brown has brought out many powerful performances.

Rhyon Nicole Brown has appeared in notable roles in Santa & Pete, Judging Amy, That’s Raven, Lincoln Heights, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le, Empire, For Better Or Worse, etc.

Her most recent performance has been in Our Kind Of People.

Lovie Simone is a 24-year-old American actress who is best known for her role as Keisha Williams in the BET series Greenleaf. She has also starred in the films All American Boys and Selah and the Spades.

Simone began her acting career in 2017 when she was cast in Greenleaf. She played the role of Keisha Williams, the eldest daughter of the Greenleaf family, for five seasons. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch Simone's career.

In 2018, Simone starred in the film All American Boys. The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of race and police brutality. Similarly in 2019, Simone starred in the film Selah and the Spades and it was praised for its complex portrayal of race and class. Simone's performance received special praise in both films.

Simone is one of the most promising young actresses working today. She is a talented and versatile actress who has shown her ability to excel in a variety of roles. She is also a strong advocate for social justice, and she uses her platform to speak out against racism and inequality.

Joy Sunday, a talented actress born to Nigerian parents in Staten Island, New York, has made her mark in the entertainment industry.

After completing theater training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and graduating with honors from USC's School of Cinematic Arts, she embarked on her acting career.

Sunday's television debut came with a guest appearance on CBS' "MacGyver" in 2016, earning her SAG membership through the film "Bad Hair" in 2020.

She has since made notable appearances in various TV shows and movies, including "Shithouse" and an episode of "Dear White People."

Additionally, Sunday has ventured into producing short films and has explored the world of audiobook narration. With her multifaceted talents and educational background, she continues to carve her path in the industry.

Antonia Gentry is an American actress known for her rising career in the entertainment industry.

She gained significant attention and acclaim for her breakthrough role as Ginny Miller in the Netflix series "Ginny & Georgia" (2021).

Her portrayal of a complex and relatable teenage character earned her praise for her performance and brought her widespread recognition.

Prior to her breakthrough, Gentry appeared in a few short films and made guest appearances on television shows.

With her talent, poise, and natural on-screen presence, she has quickly become a rising star in Hollywood.

Gentry's career continues to thrive as she takes on new projects and showcases her versatility as an actress, leaving audiences eager to see what she will do next.

Dominique Thorne is an American actress who has been making waves in the entertainment industry with her promising career.

She gained recognition for her breakthrough role as Riri Williams/Ironheart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thorne's casting in the upcoming Disney+ series "Ironheart" (2022) has garnered excitement and anticipation among fans.

Prior to her Marvel debut, she appeared in independent films and made guest appearances on television shows.

Thorne's talent, charisma, and dedication to her craft have been widely praised, and she is seen as a rising star in Hollywood.

With her groundbreaking role as a young, genius superhero, Thorne is set to make a significant impact on the industry, bringing a fresh and diverse perspective to the superhero genre.

Bailey Bass is an upcoming actress to watch out for. She debuted in 2011 and played minor roles in TV series and TV movies like Law & Order: SVU, Psycho Sweet 16, A Little Bit of Heaven, etc.

Bailey Bass has been cast as Tsireya in Avatar 2 and Avatar 3.

She has also been confirmed for the role of Claudia in the TV series titled Interview With the Vampire.

Bass has a very busy schedule for the next few years and a lot for us to watch out for.

Riele Downs is a Canadian actress known for her role in the Nickelodeon television series Henry Danger. She started her career as a child actress in My Baby’s Daddy and Four Brothers.

Later, she appeared in the TV movies Fir Crazy and The Gabby Douglas Story.

Downs also acted in The Best Man Holiday, Tiny Christmas, The Adventures of Kid Danger, All That, S. A. L. E. M, etc. She is currently filming for Darby Harper Wants You to Know.

Priah Nicole Ferguson watched Crooklyn and Daddy’s Little Girls, and she developed an interest in acting.

As a child actress, she worked on multiple projects like Atlanta, Mercy Street, Perfectville, BB Brown & Friends, etc.

Ferguson appeared in a guest role in Netflix’s Stranger Things.

From the third season onward, she became a recurring character.

She also appeared in Daytime Divas, Bluff City Law, The Oath, Glitter Ain’t Gold, etc.

Lauryn Alisa McClain and her two sisters are a girl band, Thriii.

They performed earlier under the name 3mcclaingirls, then changed it to the McClain Sisters and lastly to McClain before they finalized on Thriii.

Lauryn developed an interest in singing and music after listening to her father play over the years.

Although Lauryn McClain remains with the girl band, she has worked on acting projects too.

She appeared in Daddy’s Little Girls, BearCity 3, A. N. T. Farm, Descendants: Wicked World, Step Up: High Water, Haunt, etc.

Paige Hurd is known for her character, Tasha Clarkson in the hit sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris.

She is the goddaughter of the rapper DMX, and she played his daughter in the film Cradle 2 the Grave alongside Jet Li.

Paige Hurd worked in many more hit series like Hawaii Five-O, Tyler Perry’s The Oval, Power Book II: Ghost, etc.

As a child, she worked in Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Cat In The Hat, Time Out, The Beauty Shop, Ben 10: Race Against Time, ER, etc.

Laila Drew is an actress who has worked in television shows, theater plays, musicals, films, etc.

She gained prominence with her role in FBI: International and in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

On Netflix, Laila Drew worked in the series Colin in Black & White.

In 2017, Laila Drew appeared on stage in the musical Generation Me, where she played the role of Lex.

The following year, she was cast as Nia/ Melody in American Girl Live. She also worked in the shows Dash & Lily and The Clearing.

Zolee Griggs is a Youtuber, actress, and fashion expert. She manages her Youtube channel, where she shares vlogs, makeup, and fashion tips with her followers.

Zolee Griggs also writes for her blog, called The Outfit.

In 2003, Zolee made her debut onscreen with her role in Strong Medicine.

She followed it up with Back When We Were Grownups, Cory In The House, Bride Wars, Archenemy, Bit, Wu-Tang: An American saga, etc.

Desiree Ross is an American actress who is best known for her role as Sophia Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Greenleaf, from 2016 to 2020. She also starred alongside Dolly Parton in the Lifetime television film, A Country Christmas Story in 2013.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Ross began acting in short films before she was cast as lead in the Lifetime television film A Country Christmas Story opposite Dolly Parton, Mary Kay Place and Megyn Price. The following year, Ross had a recurring role as Mira in the TNT post-apocalyptic drama series Falling Skies. 

In 2015, Ross was cast in a series regular role in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf. She plays Sophia Greenleaf, the daughter of series lead' Grace 'Gigi' Greenleaf.

Ross has received critical acclaim for her performance in Greenleaf, and she has been nominated for several awards, including a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She is also a talented singer, and she has released several singles and albums.

Sydney Park is a young comedian and actress. She was the youngest comedian to perform at the Hollywood Improv theater.

Park participated in America’s Got Talent during the first season and reached the semi-finals stage.

However, Park left the show due to her acting assignments.

Sydney Park appeared in shows like That's So Raven, Hannah Montana, The Sarah Silverman Project, CSI: NY, Awesomeness TV, etc.

The roles that established Sydney Park in the hearts of her fans are in The Walking Dead, Instant Mom, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, There's Someone Inside Your House, etc.

Gracie Marie Bradley was born Janet Blacky Egbe in Los Angeles.

She did not share her birthday or any personal details, yet we can estimate her birth year to be around 1997.

Gracie Bradley won the beauty contests like Miss Gold Coast Teen and Miss Sugar Kiss Teen in 2015.

Gracie Marie Bradley has received praise and applause for her role in Grown-ish, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Whistler, State of Affairs, Grandfathered, Pearl, The Secret Lives of Cheerleaders, etc. Her most recent role has been in Beauty.

Samantha Logan is an American actress who is remembered for her role as Nina Jones in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.

She debuted with a minor role in another hit television series, Gossip Girl, in 2009.

After her debut, Logan continued to make guest appearances in shows till she was cast in 666 Park Avenue with Vanessa Williams.

Although the show was canceled after just one season, it led to more substantial roles in General Hospital, Teen Wolf, The Fosters, Melissa & Joey, etc.

Currently, Samantha Logan is working in the new series, All American, as Olivia Baker.

Cymphonique Miller is a name that gave away the clue that she belongs to a family of musicians.

Miller’s father and brother are both rappers. Cymphonique herself is a singer who became the finalist in Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing.

She has worked in Nickelodeon's sitcom, How to Rock, and Winx Club.

Miller has guest-starred in shows like Big Time Rush, True Jackson, VP, The Troop, Just Jordan, Phineas, and Ferb, etc.

Sierra Aylina McClain is the eldest sister among the 3mcclaingirls. She is also a singer and actress like her younger sisters.

Sierra released many hit songs along with her sisters. She is skilled at playing the guitar, bass, and piano.

She debuted with the film The Gospel and starred in several critically successful shows.

Some of Sierra McClain's roles are in Daddy's Little Girls, A. N. T. Farm, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Shrink, Empire, Mindhunters, 9-1-1: Love Star, etc.

Maisie Richardson-Sellers is a British actress known for her role in the CW show, The Originals.

Richardson-Sellers completed her graduation from Hertford College at the University of Oxford and auditioned for a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

She earned the role of Korr Selle. After that amazing start, Richardson-Sellers was cast in American shows like DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Originals, Of Kings and Prophets, etc.

In 2019, she was cast as Chloe in Kissing Booth 2 and Kissing Booth 3 on Netflix.