Michigan holds one of the highest populations of Black people in America. According to the 2023 Census, Michigan has over 1.3 million Black residents. The city isn’t only known for its great lakes. It’s a culturally rich Black community, where a number of your favorite Black women celebrities grew up. 

Lizzo

While Lizzo grew up in Houston, Texas, the “Truth Hurts” artist was actually born in Detroit, Michigan. Starting from humble beginnings, Lizzo has worked her way up to become a Grammy award-winning artist. Her drive to create soulful music probably comes from her Detroit roots. Detroit is notably famous for the birth of Motown and notable Black singers, like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. During former Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, the singer spoke at a Detroit rally about the spirit of her hometown. 

“They say if Kamala wins, the whole country will be like Detroit. Proud, like Detroit. Resilient, like Detroit,” Lizzo said at the 2024 early voting rally. “We’re talking about the same Detroit that innovated the auto industry and the music industry.”

Kenya Moore

Before her run as a television personality on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Kenya Moore celebrated her Michigan roots. The Detroit born star won Miss Michigan USA 1993 at just 22 years old. Moore’s win solidified her as the second African American woman to win the pageant. The multihyphenate star has since capitalized on her beauty and brains, acting as a producer, actress and all-around businesswoman.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross was one of the most successful acts to come from Motown. Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, one of the most popular 1960s all-female groups. The songstress continues to have a legendary solo career since leaving the group in the 1970s, including her hit single “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” In 2024, Ross joined other notable artists, like Big Sean and Eminem, to perform at the “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central.”

Ryan Destiny

At just 30 years old, Ryan Destiny is already a Hollywood starlet. The Detroit native currently stars in the film “The Fire Inside,” where she portrays legendary female boxer and fellow Michigan native Clarissa Shields. Destiny’s other acting roles include the television series “Star” and Freeform’s show “Grown-ish.” Outside of acting, Destiny is also a singer-songwriter, with singles including “How Your Hands Feel” and “The Same.”

Kash Doll

It seems as though nobody represents Detroit more than rapper Kash Doll. Known for her songs including “Ice Me Out” and “For Everybody,” Kash Doll’s been in the rap game for close to a decade. In 2020, the rapper was awarded the 2020 Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Hip Hop Artist/Group. To celebrate her 10th anniversary in the genre, Kash Doll released her second studio album “The Last Doll.” The rapper is now headlining her first solar tour titled “The Last Doll,” which coordinates with her new album. The rapper also stars in the Starz series “BMF,” which is based on the actual Black Mafia Family in Detroit.