12 African-American Actresses Who Are Also Successful Businesswomen

12 African-American Actresses Who Are Also Successful Businesswomen

Hollywood has long been home to talented performers, but some African-American actresses have taken their success far beyond the screen.

These remarkable women have built thriving businesses, launched powerful brands, and created new opportunities along the way.

From haircare lines to production companies, they show how creativity and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.

Their journeys prove that with vision and determination, success doesn’t stop when the cameras stop rolling.

1. Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross has always celebrated her natural curls, and she turned that pride into a thriving business.

In 2019, she launched Pattern Beauty, a haircare brand specifically designed for people with curly, coily, and textured hair.

The brand filled a major gap in the beauty market that had long been overlooked.

Pattern Beauty quickly gained a loyal following and expanded into major retail stores nationwide.

Tracee was hands-on from the start, personally testing products and connecting with customers.

Her entrepreneurial spirit shows that the best businesses often come from solving a problem you personally understand and care about deeply.

2. Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson is known for her powerhouse performances on screen, but her impact off-screen is equally impressive.

She founded TPH by Taraji, a haircare line available at Target that focuses on scalp health and textured hair care.

The brand was born from her own personal haircare struggles over the years.

Beyond beauty, Taraji launched the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her late father, to bring mental health awareness and resources to the African-American community.

She uses her platform boldly and purposefully.

Her work proves that real stars shine brightest when they lift others while building their own legacy.

3. Oprah Winfrey

Few names carry as much weight in business and entertainment as Oprah Winfrey.

Starting from humble beginnings, she turned a local talk show into a global media empire.

Her company, Harpo Productions, became the engine behind some of the most beloved television content in history.

Beyond television, Oprah launched OWN Network, a publishing brand, and several lifestyle ventures.

She became the first African-American female billionaire, proving that storytelling and smart business decisions can change lives.

Her journey reminds us that your background does not define your future — your determination does.

4. Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most relatable and stylish stars, and she brought that same energy to the business world.

She launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a haircare line designed to celebrate and nourish natural Black hair.

The brand quickly found a loyal audience who appreciated its authenticity.

Beyond haircare, Gabrielle has partnered on fashion collaborations and developed production ventures that amplify diverse stories.

She is refreshingly open about the challenges she has faced in both entertainment and entrepreneurship.

Her honesty and hustle make her brand feel personal, which is exactly why her fans trust and support everything she creates.

5. Viola Davis

Having won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy award, Viola Davis is one of the most decorated actresses in Hollywood history.

But her ambitions extend well beyond acting.

Together with her husband Julius Tennon, she co-founded JuVee Productions to create space for underrepresented voices in film and television.

JuVee Productions has been behind several critically acclaimed projects that center diverse stories and perspectives.

Viola has spoken openly about the challenges Black women face in the entertainment industry, and she uses her company to actively change that reality.

Her work behind the camera is just as groundbreaking as her performances in front of it.

6. Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry grew up in front of our eyes on the beloved TV show “Sister, Sister,” and she has continued to grow in the most inspiring ways since.

She launched 4U by Tia, a haircare brand that blends clean ingredients with effective formulas for a variety of hair types.

The brand reflects her passion for health and wellness in everyday life.

Tia also runs cooking and lifestyle ventures, sharing her love of food and balanced living with her audience.

Her approachable personality makes her business ventures feel warm and genuine.

She shows that building a brand around your real passions creates something people genuinely want to be part of.

7. Marsai Martin

At just 14 years old, Marsai Martin made Hollywood history by becoming the youngest executive producer ever in the industry.

She pitched the concept for the hit film “Little” to a major studio and saw it become a reality — starring and producing it herself.

That kind of confidence at such a young age is truly extraordinary.

Her production company, Genius Productions, continues to develop fresh, creative projects with young and diverse talent in mind.

Marsai is proof that age is never a barrier to big ideas.

She inspires a whole generation of young people to dream boldly and act on those dreams without waiting for permission.

8. Halle Berry

Halle Berry made history as the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, but her ambitions have never stopped at the trophy shelf.

She launched Re-Spin, a wellness and fitness platform focused on health, longevity, and intentional living.

The brand grew out of her own deeply personal health journey managing diabetes.

Re-Spin offers content, products, and community support for people looking to live healthier, more mindful lives.

Halle is hands-on with the brand and openly shares her own wellness routines with her audience.

Her platform proves that vulnerability can be a powerful business tool when paired with genuine passion and purpose.

9. Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith has always been a force both on and off the screen.

She co-founded Westbrook Inc., a multi-platform media company built around authentic storytelling and content creation.

The company has produced projects across film, television, and digital media, earning recognition for its bold and inclusive approach.

One of Westbrook’s biggest successes is Red Table Talk, a raw and honest Facebook Watch series that sparked global conversations about family, relationships, and mental health.

The show became a cultural phenomenon and a model for modern media brands.

Jada’s willingness to be vulnerable on camera translated directly into a powerful and profitable business venture.

10. Queen Latifah

Long before many entertainers thought about building production companies, Queen Latifah was already doing it.

She co-founded Flavor Unit Entertainment, a company that produces film and television projects and manages talent.

Starting her career as a rapper, she transitioned seamlessly into acting and then into executive producing with impressive ease.

Flavor Unit has been behind numerous successful projects that spotlight diverse voices and bold stories.

Queen Latifah has always carried herself with a quiet confidence that translates perfectly into the boardroom.

Her career arc is a masterclass in reinvention, showing that building a lasting legacy means being willing to evolve without ever losing your authentic voice.

11. Beyonce

Beyonce is not just a global music icon — she is a full-scale business empire operating at the highest level.

She founded Parkwood Entertainment, a management and production company that oversees her music, film, and creative projects.

Every release under Parkwood is a masterclass in branding, storytelling, and strategic marketing.

Her Ivy Park fashion brand, a collaboration with Adidas, brought her entrepreneurial reach into the world of athletic and lifestyle clothing.

Beyonce controls her image, her art, and her business with remarkable precision.

She has shown an entire generation that owning your creative output is the most powerful move any entertainer can make in today’s industry.

12. Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington captivated audiences as the sharp and fearless Olivia Pope on “Scandal,” but her real-life business moves are just as sharp.

She founded Simpson Street, a production company dedicated to creating socially conscious content for film and television.

The company prioritizes stories that reflect the full complexity of human experience.

Simpson Street has partnered with major networks and streaming platforms, producing projects that earn both critical acclaim and loyal audiences.

Kerry is deeply intentional about the stories she chooses to tell and the people she brings along on the journey.

Her production company is built on purpose, and that foundation makes every project feel genuinely meaningful and worth watching.