Fashion activist and model Bethann Hardison was born in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from George W. Wingate High School, Hardison attended the New York University Art School and the Fashion Institute of Technology. During the 1960s, Hardison worked in the garment district of New York City as saleswoman. In 1967, she was discovered by African American designer Willi Smith. Along with Beverly Johnson, Iman, and Pat Cleveland; Hardison broke barriers in the 1970s.

Beverly Johnson (born October 13, 1952) is an American model, actress, and businesswoman. She made history when she rose to fame as the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in August 1974. A year later, she became the first black woman to appear on the cover of the French edition of Elle.[3] She was the star of the reality series Beverly's Full House on the Oprah Winfrey Network

Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an American television personality, producer, author, actress, and former model She first became famous as a model, appearing twice on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and working for Victoria's Secret as one of their original Angels. Banks is the creator and host of the UPN/The CW reality television show America's Next Top Model, co-creator of True Beauty, and was the host of her own talk show, The Tyra Banks Show.

Naomi Campbell (born 22 May 1970) is a British model. Campbell was discovered at the age of 15, whilst a student. She was scouted by Beth Boldt, head of the Synchro model agency Her career quickly took off—in April, just before her sixteenth birthday, she appeared on the cover of British Elle. She established herself among the top three most recognizable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and the 1990s,[and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (Somali: Imaan Maxamed Cabdimajiid, Arabic: ايمان محمد عبد المجيد‎) (born July 25, 1955[, professionally known as Iman (which means "faith" in Arabic), is a Somali fashion model, actress and entrepreneur. A pioneer in the field of ethnic cosmetics,[she is also noted for her charitable work. She is married to David Bowie

Beverly Grace Jones (born 19 May 1948) is a Jamaican singer, actress and model. She was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica and raised by her grandparents. When she was thirteen she and her siblings moved to her parents' home in Syracuse, New York. Jones started out as a model, initially in New York state, then in Paris, working for Yves St. Laurent, Claude Montana, and Kenzo Takada, and appearing on the covers of Elle, Vogue, and Stern working with Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, and Hans Feurer.

Roshumba Williams (born August 1, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, US) is an American model who first became known for her appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in the early 1990s. She also works as an actress and reality TV show judge. As a teenager in 1987, she was discovered in Paris by fashion designer Yves St. Laurent and quickly became a regular fixture on international runways.

Veronica Webb (born February 25, 1965) is an American model, actress, writer, and television personality. The first African-American to have a major cosmetics contract, Webb has appeared on covers of Vogue, Essence and Elle magazines and on the runway for Victoria's Secret and Chanel.

Yasmin Abshir Warsame (Somali: Yasmiin Cabshir Warsame, Arabic: ياسمين ابشير ارسام‎) (born May 5, 1976) is a Canadian model and activist of Somali origin. In 2004, she was named "The Most Alluring Canadian" in a poll by Fashion magazine. She has been featured on the covers of a.o. Vogue Italia and American Vogue, American and British Elle, and Amica and Surface magazines. She has also modelled both the couture and ready-to-wear runways for everyone from Christian Dior to Jean Paul Gaultier.

Louise Vyent is a Dutch model and portrait photographer. She studied fashion design in Amsterdam before turning to modeling.[1] According to the magazine New Woman, she was one of the most sought after models in 1990. Vyent appeared in the 1990 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and the Victoria's Secret catalog. She also worked for Revlon and appeared on various covers for both national as well as international editions of Glamour, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.

Toukie A. Smith (born Doris Smith April 25, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), is an African American actress and model. Smith started her career in the 1970s as a model, working for such brands as Chanel, Versace, Geoffrey Beene, Issey Miyake, Norma Kamali, Thierry Mugler, and Patrick Kelly. She also had a successful print career, including a photo campaign for Yves St. Laurent as well as appearances in Vogue, ELLE, Ebony, Cosmopolitan.

Barbara Smith (born 1949), known as B. Smith, is a restaurateur, model, author and television host. She also launched a line of serveware in 2004. In Spring 2007, Smith debuted her first furniture collection with the La-Z-Boy company Clayton Marcus. B. Smith became the face of Betty Crocker Cornbread in 2007.

Georgianna Robertson (March 23, 1972, Port Maria, Jamaica) is a Jamaican born fashion model and actress. She has appeared on over covers of Spanish, French and Italian editions of Elle and Vogue Paris.Robertson walked numerous of fashion shows, including Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, and the 1997 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Carla Campbell (born November 22, 1980 in Jamaica)[ is a fashion model represented by IMG in New York. She received her most widespread exposure appearing in the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Campbell is the first lady from the Caribbean to appear in the popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2006. She is also the second lady from the Caribbean to be featured in Victoria's Secret.

Beverly Peele (born 1975) is an American model and actress. Peele rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing mostly in Mademoiselle and Elle magazine. She appeared on over 250 fashion magazine covers. During her modeling career, she was featured in ads for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Versace, among others. She also did runway work for Chanel and Comme des Garçons. Peele has appeared on magazine covers worldwide including Vogue, Mademoiselle, Elle, and Cosmopolitan.

Gail O'Neill (c. 1963) is a former fashion model, who has become a television journalist. As a fashion model, she was considered one of the elite African American models in the world. She has been on covers of leading fashion magazines and a part of the highly publicized Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Lana Ogilvie is a Canadian fashion model. She was the first non-white model to be given a contract with the CoverGirl cosmetics brand, frequently being paired with Rachel Hunter. She appeared in the 1994 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was a host on Soul Train.

Ajuma Nasenyana is a Kenyan model.[1] She has worked with Victoria Secret and Carlos Mienes, among other designers Nasenyana participated in the New York Fashion Week alongside Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek for designers such as Baby Phat and Carlos Mienes before traveling to Milan to model for fashion houses such as Ungaro during the Italian Fashion Week. Paris was the final destination during the winter show season and British designer Vivienne Westwood made her the lead model in her show.

Denny Andreina Méndez de la Rosa (born on July 20, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a former beauty queen turned model and actress who represented Italy in the 1997 Miss Universe pageant.

5’10 Alabama-born supermodel Cynthia Bailey moved to New York City 25 years ago to pursue a career as a fashion model. Cynthia made her way back to New York City, and was in high demand for campaigns like Maybelline & Oil of Olay. Magazine editorials Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Vanity Fair were soon to follow. Over the years she has become a very recognized face for Macys, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbots, Chicos, and Bregdorf Goodman.

Noémie Lenoir (born 19 September 1979 in Les Ulis)[ is a French model and actress of mixed heritage. She is best known for appearing in top magazines such as Elle and Sports Illustrated, and modeling in advertisements for high fashion brands. She is known for her work with Gucci, L'Oréal, Next, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria's Secret, and Marks and Spencer. She has been featured in a line-up of the world's most successful black models by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Kiara Kabukuru is an American fashion model of Ugandan descent. Kabukuru is best known as a CoverGirl model. Kabukuru has walked for fashion houses including Dior, Versace, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Balmain.] Her most notable editorial work includes covers for Vogue (Spain and United States) and Amica Italy. She has posed for advertising campaigns by Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, L'Oréal, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and most famously CoverGirl cosmetics

Toccara Jones (born March 13, 1981from Dayton, Ohio, is an American fashion model, occasional actress, singer and television personality. Jones was a contestant on the third season of the UPN series America's Next Top Model, where she finished in seventh place. Jones has modeled for Ashley Stewart, Avon, Torrid, New York and Company, Target, Essence magazine, Vibe magazine and Smooth magazine.

Tanisha Mariko Harper (born September 18, 1981) is a model, actress and television host. At the age of fifteen, Tanisha Harper began working in print, runway, and commercial modeling and fashion jobs. She has done editorials for numerous magazines, including, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, and In Style. She has appeared in adverts and catalogs for companies such as, L'Oréal, Smashbox, MAC Cosmetics, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, and Tommy Hilfiger'.

Tomiko Fraser Hines (born Tomiko Fraser May 2, 1968 is an American fashion model and actress. She has done runway, print, and commercial modelling. Fraser is best known for being the first African American face of Maybelline, which she was from 2001-2007.She starred in the 2001 movie Head over Heels. She is an advocate for Lupus erythematosus awareness

Waris Dirie (Somali: Waris Diiriye, Arabic: واريس ديري‎) (born in 1965) is a model, author, actress and human rights activist of Somali origin. Waris was discovered by photographer Terence Donovan, who helped secure for her the cover of the 1987 Pirelli Calendar. From there, her modeling career took off, appearing in advertisements for top designers such as Chanel, Levi's, L'Oréal and Revlon. In 1987, Waris played a minor role in the James Bond movie The Living Daylights.

Agbani Darego, MFR (born Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego, 22 December 1982) is a Nigerian model, best known as the first Black African Miss World. Other brands she has modelled for include Avon, Christian Dior, Sephora, Target, and Macy’s. Darego has also appeared in Elle, Marie Claire, Allure, Trace, Stitch, Cosmopolitan, and Essence magazines, working with numerous designers including Oscar de la Renta, Marc Bouwer, Tommy Hillfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Gianfranco Ferre.

Shari Belafonte (born September 22, 1954) is an American actress, model, writer and singer. The raspy-voiced daughter of singer Harry Belafonte, she is known for her role as Julie Gilette on the 1980s television series Hotel and as a spokesperson for the diet supplement Slim-Fast during the 1990s.

Karen Alexander (b. New Jersey) is an American fashion model and actress. She was a well-known model during the late eighties and early nineties. She has been featured in Vogue magazines from US, Britian, and Italy. In addition, she has been in other magazines like Elle, People and Vanity Fair. she has also worked with famous photographers such as Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Gilles Bensimon, and Peter Lindbergh.

Yasmin Abshir Warsame (Somali: Yasmiin Cabshir Warsame, Arabic: ياسمين ابشير ارسام‎) (born May 5, 1976) is a Canadian model and activist of Somali origin. In 2004, she was named "The Most Alluring Canadian" in a poll by Fashion magazine. She has been featured on the covers of a.o. Vogue Italia and American Vogue, American and British Elle, and Amica and Surface magazines

Selita Ebanks (born 15 February 1983) is a Cayman-born British fashion model and actress. Ebanks has worked for high fashion brands Neiman Marcus and Ralph Lauren, and appeared in magazines such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Vogue, and Glamour, but she is best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, as one of the brand's "Angels" from 2005 to early 2009

Jessica White (born June 21, 1984 in Buffalo, New York, United States) is an American model and occasional actress. At the age of 13, White was scouted in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, and had gone to Personal Best modeling school at age sixteen. After modeling for one week, her first job was an editorial for Vogue after meeting Anna Wintour.] In Paris, she signed a contract with the IMG agency and over the next six months landed campaigns for CoverGirl, Chloé, Jean Paul Gaultier and Gap

Alek Wek (born 16 April 1977) is a South Sudanese British model and designer who began her fashion career at the age of 18 in 1995. As the first black model whose looks did not conform to Caucasian aesthetics, she has been hailed for her influence on the perception of beauty in the fashion industry. She is from the Dinka ethnic group in South Sudan, but fled to Britain in 1991 to escape the civil war in Sudan.She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Kimora Lee Simmons (née Perkins; born May 4, 1975)[ is a former American fashion model. She created Baby Phat and was CEO/Creative Director through 2010. In 2011, she was hired as president/Creative Director for JustFab Just after her fourteenth birthday, Simmons was awarded an exclusive modeling contract with Chanel and went to work under the tutelage of Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Liya Kebede (Amharic: ሊያ ከበደ?) (born March 1, 1978) is an Ethiopian born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer and actress who has appeared three times on the cover of US Vogue. According to Forbes, Kebede was the eleventh-highest-paid top model in the world in 2007 Since 2005, Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.