Top 20 Black American Instagram Influencers: African American influencers

From music to activism, these influencers are making groundbreaking effects on their community and the world through their Top 20 Black American Instagram pages, in which their influence and content impact the broader world of social media.

1. Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Beyoncé’s Instagram account celebrates Black excellence, artistry, and empowerment. A singer with more than 317 million followers, she shows a sneak peek of her private and upcoming musical projects to her audience while at the same time supporting some social justice campaigns. 

Now, Beyoncé is not only regarded as a music and fashion icon but also as quite a philanthropist. All the awareness campaigns that she creates from her platform are important issues such as Black Lives Matter and voting. By combining those two aspects, she became one of the people with the most influence on Instagram.

2. Michelle Obama (@michelleobama)

The classic First Lady, Michelle Obama, remains an inspiration idol for millions through her shared posts on Instagram. With a following of over 58 million, this page is rich in all sorts of promos on education, health, and civic engagement. Her reflections, updates on the book tour for “Becoming,” and programs, such as Campaign “Let’s move!” form the link between innumerable posts.

She is engagingly relatable, and her posts are full of accessibility and empowerment. Her originality mostly comes through in the big moments—a book release or speech—wherein followers who tuned in hoped for (and got) sage advice and inspiration. Michelle Obama’s sway remains strong whether she is sharing a family moment or telling young people to vote.

3. Rihanna (@badgalriri)

More than the music, Rihanna is the queen of fashionistas, a businesswoman, and an advocate of variety. Her Instagram has over 128 million followers.

Rihanna’s page is a statement not just for diversity and brand innovation but likewise a person who shows how lucrative and impactful celebrity endorsements can be.

4. LeBron James (@kingj

LeBron James: Beyond being a basketball sensation, the huge social guerillaist and educationist. With some 159 million followers on this Instagram page, he shares his athletic accomplishments, his philanthropic efforts, and his thoughts on what is happening in the world. This is seen most clearly in his posts about the Black Lives Matter movement and voting rights.

5. Zendaya (@zendaya)

From talent and style that appeals to sentiment to advocating for inclusivity, Zendaya has touched the hearts of many. With her works posted on film, fashion, and many more to over 192 million followers on her Instagram account, Zendaya posts behind-the-scene photos, including those of stunning red-carpet looks. Her every post is engaging and inspiring.

6. Will Smith (@willsmith)

Will Smith, the master of all performers, has 78 million Instagram followers. His posts feature a mix of humour, motivation, and family moments, often in creatively staged videos with massive viral potential, inspiring all ages.

7. Cardi B (@iamcardib)

One of the most interesting facts about Cardi B, with 168 million, is her uncut personality and manner on her Instagram account. She is never one to hold her cards against her fans, ranging from what she does in music to what her two cents regard in affairs. That makes Cardi the real and most down-to-earth person in music and social media.

8. Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)

Serena Williams is a tennis legend and a global icon for women. She turned professional and has since inspired many by sharing her journey as an athlete, entrepreneur, and mother with over 17 million followers on Instagram. Serena regularly shares snapshots of her life on and off the court and messages that advocate for gender and racial equality.

9. Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

There’s no arguing that Lizzo is the queen of body positivity and self-love; messages certainly weaved through in her feed. That’s Lizzo: the woman with her 14 million followers, sharing music, fashion, and empowerment. Bold. Relatable. And always unabashedly herself.

10. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (@therock)

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a powerful source of entertainment both on and off the screen. His Instagram is not all fun since it has a mixture of motivational posts, workouts, and family moments. But more of what Dwayne is talking about is positively inspiring, with great energy waves.

But one can even notice their ability to inspire and entertain his audience in how much engagement he achieves from his posts, from giving updates on his new movies to sharing some of his workout videos; the following wants to hear and see from him. His page is representative of his charisma and influence.

11. Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion)

Check out Megan Thee Stallion’s Instagram, which is pushing and dripping confidently. Thirty-one million people see her share her music, fashion, and personal journey. No wonder such a bold, unapologetic persona has led her to hold one of the most influential voices in music today.

12. Ava DuVernay (@ava)

Ava DuVernay is one of those leading the forefront among the pioneers who have kept themselves most relevant in their directorial role and advocating for diversity in Hollywood. With followers numbering 2 million sets on Instagram, her account has become something of a site for the promotion of her own movies as well as discussing important social issues. Content from Ava means something thought-provoking and inspirational, so she is one of the leaders in the movie industry.

13. Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae)

Janelle Monáe: Musician. Activist. Fashion Prodigy. 4m followers. Her Instagram serves us as an example of the combination of creativity and advocacy; through music, fashion, and some social commentaries, her account is always bold, innovative, and unmistakably Janelle Monae-ish.

14. Ciara (@ciara)

Ciara’s Instagram is a mixture of music, family, and business. With 34 million followers under her belt, she gives the opportunity for her audience to look at her as an artist, a mother, and an entrepreneur. And always, these posts are positive, uplifting, and full of energy.

Ciara continues to be high on engagement on this platform, especially on posts where she shares her musical works or moments with her family. 

15. Gabrielle Union (@gabunion)

Gabrielle Union publicizes family time, advocates for social justice, and promotes her work as an actor and author in some of the most interesting, engrossing ways possible. This is with 22 million followers, and the content that Gabrielle brings to the platform is really interesting, relatable, and inspiring.

16. Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper)

Chance The Rapper’s page reflects his music, his philanthropy, and his views on social issues. Chance has scored 12 million viewers and comes across with very positive and uplifting wording in his posts.

His likes are highest on new music and when he is promoting his charitable efforts. Chance The Rapper shows his resiliency, strength, and power—all traits his followers truly look up to.

17. Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross)

Tracee Ellis Ross is an actress, entrepreneur, and self-love ambassador. Her Instagram carries so much more. With a whopping 13 million followers, the spirited Tracee just keeps on uploading boldly creative content.

An important discussion is usually sparked out of her posts on mental health, self-care, and even representation in media, which, in most cases, make her page very inspirational to many.

18. Steve Harvey (@iamsteveharveytv)

With a following of 13 million, Steve Harvey’s Instagram account is generally comedic and inspiring, packed with his professional life as a TV host and author. Steve never ceases to amaze with content that is always positive, inspirational, and high in energy.

19. Viola Davis (@violadavis)

Viola Davis: Academy Award-winning actress and social justice warrior. Her Instagram is a testament to how she approaches both the art she creates and the causes she champions. For Viola, whose content beamed out to 13 million followers, nothing is ever off the cuff, throw-away, generic.

The engagement rates for Viola are very impressive whenever she brings up her roles in film and her advocacy for equality. Her followers appreciate her authenticity and on the part of making use of her influence for good.   Viola Davis’ Instagram page is a powerful voice for change in Hollywood.

20. Issa Rae (@issarae)

Issa Rae is a writer-film maker-producer and advocate for representation in these fields, all evident through her 4 million followers. Bold, creative, and inspiring is what any viewer can say about content from Issa’s desk.

Her engagement rates spike on days when she posts about new projects or topics relevant to the representation of Black culture and the media. Her followers love the realness of authenticity and believe she really does want to make a difference and make the world a better place using that drive. Many are inspired by it.

Conclusion

Empowerment, creativity, and change are the sources of these 20 popular Black American Instagram pages. Voices that inspire millions and influence a change in their world—be it through the lens of music, activism, fashion, or entrepreneurship. Undoubtedly, these Black American influencers will remain at the head of these movements on the platform and within the culture.