Black History at Home and Abroad: 13 Leaders Whose Impact Went Global

HALLE BERRY

An award-winning actress and film producer, Berry solidified her name in history when she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002, making her the only woman of color to win in the category to date. She’s had other critically acclaimed roles since the film, but more recently she’s more involved with motherhood than news buzz-sparking Hollywood moves, with a slowdown of box-office topping films since the X-Men franchise.

Internationally recognized for her role as Storm, particularly in Asia, she landed the 2014 Global Icon honor at China’s Huading Film Awards. In her acceptance speech she said she felt like “an original Beatle” in China.”