7 Black Celebrities Born In July, So Cancer Or Leo

Having a July birthday means celebrating during the height of summer and enjoying the gorgeous weather! If you were born in July, check to see if you share a birthdate with one of these Black celebrities.

We’ve put together a list of Black celebrities born in July, including musicians, actors, and athletes.

Missy Elliot (July 1, 1971)

Born on July 1, 1971, in Virginia, Missy Elliot is one of the most popular female rappers of all time. Nicknamed the Queen of Rap, she began her solo career in 1997. Her debut album Supa Dupa Fly featured the song Sock It 2 Me.

Two years later, Elliot followed up with her album Da Real World. Hits included Hot Boyz and All n My Grill. Her 2001 album Miss E… So Addictive featured the hit song Get Ur Freak On. Her 2002 album Under Construction produced another hit: Work It.

Elliot has had a successful career as both a rapper and a record producer. She has won six BET Awards and four Grammy Awards. In 2019, she became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Crystal Dunn (July 3, 1992)

Soccer player Crystal Dunn was born in New York on July 3, 1992. She began playing for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2014 with the Washington Spirit.

Dunn was just 23 when she became the youngest player to win the NWSL Most Valuable Player award in 2015. She continued playing for Washington until 2016 and then started with Chelsea in England in 2017.

She returned to the NWSL in 2018, joining the North Carolina Courage, where she played for two years. In 2021, Dunn started playing with the Portland Thorns, which is her current team.

Dunn also plays with the United States women’s national team. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she played with the U.S. and defeated Australia to win the bronze medal.

Montel Williams (July 3, 1956)

Television host Montel Williams was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 3, 1956. He was the first Black Marine to enter the 4-year officer training program at the United States Naval Academy in 1975. He served in both the Marine Corps and the Navy.

From 1991 to 2008, he hosted The Montel Williams Show. He was the first Black man to host a syndicated daytime talk show, and he won a Daytime Emmy Award for his work in 1996.

Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 and later established the MS Foundation. He has been an advocate for MS research and treatment, as well as the use of cannabis for MS-related pain.

In 2015, Williams combined his dedication to veterans and his television experience to become the host of Military Makeover with Montel. Military veterans and their families are selected to receive a complete home makeover in recognition of their service.

Laurence Fishburne (July 30, 1961)

Actor and producer Laurence Fishburne was born in Georgia on July 30, 1961. He got his start in films in 1979 with his role in Apocalypse Now. He also acted in the 1985 film The Color Purple.

In 1993, Fishburne had roles in What’s Love Got to Do With It and Searching for Bobby Fischer. That same year he also won an Emmy Award for his work in the drama series TriBeCa.

Fishburne received an NAACP Image Award in 1995 for his role in the film Higher Learning and, in 1997, won an Emmy Award for the movie Miss Evers’ Boys. He is well known for his work in The Matrix film series, which started in 1999.

He was honored with an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 for his theater work. The following year he won a Black Movie Award for his role in Akeelah and the Bee. In 2015, he received a Saturn Award for the television show Hannibal.

Fishburne has also acted in 2016’s Batman v Superman, the John Wick series, which began in 2017, and 2018’s Antman and the Wasp.

Marlon Wayans (July 23, 1972)

Comedian, actor, writer, and producer Marlon Wayans was born in New York City on July 23, 1972. His first major acting gig was a role on the show In Living Color from 1992 to 1993. He later starred alongside his brother Shawn in The Wayans Bros., which ran from 1995 to 1998.

The brothers also co-starred in Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2, which Wayans also produced. Wayans had a role in the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream which was a departure from his usual comedy.

Wayans has written, produced, and acted in several films. These include White Chicks in 2004, Little Man in 2006, Dance Flick in 2009, A Haunted House in 2013, A Haunted House 2 in 2014, and Fifty Shades of Black in 2016.

Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918)

On July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa. He attended the University College of Fort Hare but was expelled for participating in a protest. Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was instrumental in forming their youth league. He would later join the South African Communist Party.

Along with Oliver Tambo, Mandela started the first Black law firm in South Africa called Mandela and Tambo. In 1962, he was arrested after leaving the country to obtain military training and obtain support for armed resistance. Eventually, he would be charged and convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life in prison.

Mandela served 27 years before being released in 1990 due to increasing international outcry. The following year he was elected president of the ANC, replacing Tambo. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

In 1994, he became the first democratically elected president of South Africa. This same year he published his memoir entitled Long Walk to Freedom.

In 1999, Mandela stepped down as president and started the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which supported HIV/AIDS work and children’s education.

50 Cent (July 6, 1975)

On July 6, 1975, Curtis Jackson was born in New York. He would later take the stage name 50 Cent and become one of the most successful rappers in the world.

He released his debut album in 2003, entitled Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which included the hit single In da Club. His second album, The Massacre, came out in 2005. He has released a total of five studio albums. Other 50 Cent songs include 21 Questions, P.I.M.P, Just a Lil Bit, and I’m The Man.

He has sold over 30 million records and won four BET Awards and 13 Billboard Music Awards. In addition to his rapping career, he also has a record label called G-Unit Records, which was started in 2003.

50 Cent also started a clothing line called G-Unit Clothing Company and two film companies called G-Unit Films and Cheetah Vision. in 2003. His memoir From Pieces to Weight was published in 2005.

Top Black Celebrities Born in July, Final Thoughts

People born between July 1 and 22 have the Cancer zodiac sign known for being emotional and sentimental. Those born between July 23 and 31 have the Leo sign and are typically creative and confident.

These Black celebrities born in July are just a few examples of incredible talent and success.