Black VoicesU.S. NewsArts and Entertainmentblack lives matter

21 Fierce Black Feminists To Follow On Instagram Right Now

🙌
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Culture Writer, HuffPost

It goes without saying that black women are phenomenal, but in case you needed a reminder, or maybe just a dose of inspiration, there’s no better place to see black women doing the damn thing than on social media. 

In an age where social issues surrounding race and gender are more heated than ever, black feminists are leading the charge in bringing awareness and keeping folks woke through their online visibility. 

In celebration of this, below are 21 black feminists (from Janet Mock to Zendaya) who use Instagram to change, inspire, and bless us all with their flyness: 

1
Alexandra Elle
Alexandra Elle is a dope author and poet, who recently dropped a beautiful book of poetry. Her feed is a beautiful collection of stunning portraits as well as excerpts from some of her poems.
2
Angela Rye
Angela Rye is the queen of the side-eye, a CNN political commentator who is unafraid to speak the truth, even if the truth in uncomfortable. Rye's Instagram feed gives a vibrant behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day life, passions and projects.
3
Tamika D. Mallory
Activist and co-founder of the Women's March, Tamika D. Mallory is without a doubt a busy women -- but she still finds time to post candid pics and enlightening memes about social justice.
4
Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi is only 17, but she's already proven that she has big things ahead of her. In addition to her role on ABC's "Black-ish," Shahidi is an outspoken feminist, using her platform and social media presence to bring awareness to a whole host of social issues.
5
Alicia Garza
Alicia Garza is one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. In this post, she celebrates International Women's Day by reminding us "a day without a woman ain't really no kinda day at all."
6
Janet Mock
Janet Mock's Instagram feed is the perfect mix of woke wisdom and fabulosity. Follow and get your life.
7
Gabrielle Richardson
Gabriella Richardson is a model, muse, and co-curator of the Arthoe Collective, an initiative designed to create space for QPOC artists.
8
Ariell R. Johnson
Ariell R. Johnson made history last year when she opened Amalgam Comics, the first black-woman owned comic book store. Follow her for her colorful locs, infectious smile, and passion for all things geekdom.
9
Ashley Ford
Ashley Ford is the endlessly sharp and funny Senior Features Writer at Refinery 29. On Instagram, Ford offers candid vignettes from her past and present, usually accompanied by insightful captions.
10
Michelle Buteau
Michelle Buteau is a comedian who has a deft talent for doing comedy that makes blunt and hilarious observations about what it means to be a black woman. Her Insta is full of all sorts of goodness, including self-deprecating selfies and cameos from other black female comics like Phoebe Robinson and Sydney Washington.
11
Zendaya
Does it get any better than Zendaya? The stunning teen actress and model uses her platform and access to 40.4 million followers on Instagram to spread awareness about self-love, body positivity, feminism and racial justice.
12
Charlene Carruthers
Charlene Carruthers is a queer feminist activist and organizer who just happens to have an incredibly lit Instagram page full of funny memes and fabulous, affirming selfies.
13
Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley is a fat positive icon, spreading the gospel of self-love, wellness and yoga through her page. On Instagram, the yoga teacher and expert shares photos and videos of herself pulling off complicated poses, showing that many people underestimate what big women can do with their bodies.
14
Jessica Byrd
Jessica Byrd is the founder of Three Point Strategies, a D.C. based political consulting firm that empowers people of color candidates, campaign staff and organizations. Her Instagram feed is fun, vibrant, and full of videos documenting life outside the office.
15
Bianca Xunise
Bianca Xunise is a Chicago-based artist and comic illustrator who posts deeply personal, funny, captivating comics that cover everything from dealing with anxiety to what she fights for as a black woman.
16
Patrisse Cullors
Patrisse Cullors is one-third of the founding members of the Black Lives Matter movement. Cullors shares artistic, thoughtful and striking snaps of her day-to-day life.
17
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg is a young feminist who, at just 18, remains outspoken about issues such as cultural appropriation and representation -- all while looking amazing, naturally.
18
Marley Dias
Little miss Marley Dias is a force to be reckoned with, and her Insta feed is proof. The 12 year-old who founded the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign to collect 1,000 children's books with black girl protagonists for donation, is now chronicling the road to publishing her own book with Scholastic this year.
19
Opal Tometi
Opal Tometi is one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition to fighting for an end to police brutality, the Nigerian-American is also an advocate for black immigrant's rights through her organization BAJI (Black Alliance For Just Immigration).
20
Sydney "The Ballerina"
Sydney the Ballerina (as she calls herself on Instagram) is a professional ballerina and an activist, breaking stigmas not only about black women in ballet but also bringing further visibility to queer black women in love via her feed.
21
Michaela Angela Davis
Michaela Angela Davis is a journalist, speaker, and beauty activist who has long been vocal about the importance of valuing black women. Her Insta feed is lit, featuring a great mix of street style portraits, travel photos, and glimpses of Davis's activist work.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Radical Black Feminist Artists
(01 of03)
Open Image Modal
Chloe Cooley, whose defiance inspired anti-slavery movements in northern Canada. Naomi Moyer, mixed media. (credit:Naomi Moyer)
(02 of03)
Open Image Modal
Sherona Hall, a black feminist and philanthropist based in Toronto, Canada. Naomi Moyer, mixed media. (credit:Naomi Moyer)
(03 of03)
Open Image Modal
The Hour a Day Study Club, which united education and activism. Naomi Moyer, mixed media. (credit:Naomi Moyer)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip