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Now Is The Best Time To Be A Black Woman In Hollywood

Now Is The Best Time To Be A Black Woman In Hollywood

Being a boss in multiple areas is common in Hollywood these days. Celebs are using their free time to build their brand outside of acting gigs and establishing their own businesses. Fashion, movies, TV, you name it. Women of color are making their presence known and reclaiming their time.

Respecting women and awarding them with roles of empowerment and success in the past in Hollywood was nearly impossible. For years black women have been overshadowed as directors and have only been thought of as onscreen talent. It was not even thought of that women could be the eyes behind amazing projects and the pen behind amazing script writing.

Last year, Jada Pinkett Smith spoke out in a video about #OscarsSoWhite — the effort to diversify the Oscars led by social activist April Reign that played out on social media. Many questioned if Pinkett was overthinking the situation and simply questioning her ability to spot an obvious issue going on with Oscar nominations. All of this concern was due to the fact that Pinkett was women in Hollywood and women of color who decided to speak up against all odds.

Aside from relationship goals with her baller husband Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union is conquering almost every industry. Since 2013 she has captured the attention of women just like her character on the BET series, “Being Mary Jane.” In 2010, Union launched Love & Blessings, a clothing line for plus-sized women. In 2014, she released her first wine, “Vanilla Puddin.” She’s a spokeswoman for Neutrogena and a creative advisor for nail polish company SensatioNail. Her most recent accomplishment includes the Oct. 17 launch of a book — a memoir entitled “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” It includes personal stories and Union described it as “the good, the bad, and the WTF.”

She is letting her fans in on every aspect of her life while showing the world that black women have come to dominate industries many said they couldn’t.

On the other hand, Issa Rae, the awkward, super woke director and producer, has people hooked on her HBO series, “Insecure.” As of October 2016, Rae is the creator, co-writer and star of the HBO series, which is based in part on her YouTube web series, “Awkward Black Girl.” Relationships are taken to a whole ‘nother level and casually dating is the norm. Because of the feedback from social media, Rae’s growing number of fans has reached beyond women to men.

Since the “Awkward Black Girl” premiere, Rae has developed her own YouTube platform featuring content created by people of color. She said she’d love to pitch a new series based on “90210” — the black version. With plans to expand her brand for the future, she is conquering all areas of TV.

And last but not least, Taraji P. Henson — the mommy of “Empire,” the Fox Networks drama series — is always making her rounds through the Hollywood world. The show is in its fourth season and is thriving with its dramatic storyline. This is one show that 50 Cent can’t knock off the TV guide.

Time named Henson one of the 100 most influential people in the world on its 2016 Time 100 list. Last year, Henson also released a New York Times bestselling autobiography, “Around the Way Girl.”

Henson collaborated with MAC Cosmetics to launch the Taraji P. Henson makeup collection in 2016. She became a spokeswoman for MAC’s Viva Glam Campaign. Proceeds go towards HIV/AIDS prevention.

Henson made her singing debut in “Hustle & Flow,” a 2005 Indie hip-hop film. Her vocals helped land Three 6 Mafia an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006 for the track “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.” They were the first African-American hip-hop act to win in that category. She has made several appearances in music videos and TV including guest co-hosting on “Live! with Kelly and Michael.”

All women in Hollywood are making their voices heard through their many accomplishments. It’s the best time to be a black queen with a plan and there’s plenty of time to execute it.