20 Black Actresses Under 30 You Need to Watch (With Photos)

The representation of women and marginalized groups in the film industry has significantly improved over time. In the current era, women have demonstrated equal talent to their male counterparts.

By 2020, who were the top 20 black actresses under 30? 

Hollywood is a factory that continually generates diverse rising stars, including exceptionally talented young black actresses. Several of these actresses have captivated audiences since their early years.

In this article, we’ll showcase 20 talented Black actresses under 30 making waves in the film industry. Dive in to discover these rising stars, complete with photos and why they’re the ones to watch.

20 Black Actresses Under 30

To maintain their top-flight status for an extended period, the best actresses require immense talent. Let’s now highlight the actresses who were under 30 years old in 2020. 

1. China Anne McClain – 22 years 

At the tender age of 7, the 22-year-old embarked on her career, playing Alexis in the film “The Gospel,” released in 2005. However, it was in 2007 that she truly made her mark, showcasing her talent in the TV series “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.” 

Furthermore, she has also graced the screens in various other films, such as: 

• Ant Farm 
• Daddy’s Little Girls
• Black Lightning 
• Grown Ups
• Descendants 2&3 

She won multiple awards, including the NAMIC Vision Awards’ Best Performance Actress of Comedy in 2011 and 2014 and the NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance by a Youth in 2014. Additionally, she received nominations for the Teen Icon Awards.

2. Kiersey Clemons – 26 years 

Kiersey Nicole Clemons, an actress, singer, and producer, was born in Pensacola, Florida, USA, on December 17, 1993. She is 26 years old and gained fame for her role in the 2015 comedy-drama film Dope. Additionally, Clemons has appeared in various other movies, including…

• Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016) 
• Flatliners (2017), Hearts Beat Loud (2018) 
• Sweetheart (2019) 
• Lady and the Tramp (2019) 
• Scoob! (2020) 

The actress boasts numerous credits and has earned multiple awards throughout her career. Among her accolades are: 

• Fantastic Fest’s Best Actress (2019)  
• The Black Reel Awards’ Best Breakthrough Performance (2015)
• Hamptons International Film Festival’s Variety 10 Actors to Watch (2017) 

3. Marsai Martin – 16 years 

Marsai Martin, born on August 14, 2004, hails from Plano, Texas, USA. She gained fame as Diane Johnson in the ABC comedy series Black-ish. Marsai Martin actively produced the 2019 comedy film Little. Additionally, she has showcased her talent in various other films, such as:

• An American Girl Story (2016) 
• Nina (2016) 
• Lemonade Mafia (2017) 
• Fun Mom Dinner (2017) 

Tracee Ellis Ross has garnered numerous accolades for her performance in the hit television show Black-ish. These awards include:

• NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2014) 
• Young Artist Awards’ Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress (2014) Young Entertainer Awards’ Best Leading Young Actress 12 & Under (2014) 
• Unique Television Movie or Limited Series) (2017)
• Kidscreen Awards’ Best Acting (2018)
• NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series) 

4. Lovie Simone Oppong – 22 years 

Lovie Simone Oppong hails from The Bronx, New York City, US. She gained prominence for portraying Zora Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Greenleaf. Additionally, she has starred in numerous other films, such as:

• Blue Bloods (2017) 
• Orange Is the New Black (2017)
• Selah and the Spades (2019) 
• All Rise (2018) Share (2019)
• Social Distance (2020) 
• The Craft: Legacy (2020). 

5. Raven Goodwin – 28 years 

During the 2020 Winter TCA Tour, Raven Goodwin, a 28-year-old American actress, spoke at the Lifetime segment. She began her acting career at the age of nine in Washington. Raven Shamira Goodwin, born on June 24, 1992, has appeared in the following films and TV shows:

• The Station Agent (2003) 
• Lovely & Amazing (2001) 
• Malcolm in the Middle (2004) 
• Strong Medicine (2005) 
• Phat Girlz (2006) 
• Everybody Hates Chris (2006)
• All About Us (2007) 
• My Geenie (2008)
• 30 Rock (2008) 
• Glee (2011) 
• Being Mary Jane (2013-2019) 
• Snatched (2017) 
• The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (2020) 

Miss Raven has not won any awards, but she received nominations for the following:

• OTA Film Awards Best Film Performance (2003) 
• Black Reel Awards’ Outstanding Breakthrough Performance (2003) 
• Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards’ Best Ensemble Acting (2004)
• Independent Spirit Awards’ Best Breakthrough Performance (2003) 
• Black Reel Awards’ Outstanding Supporting Actress in a TV Movie or Limited Series (2020) 

6. Yara Shahidi – 20 years 

Yara Sayeh Shahidi, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, is a renowned American actress, model, and activist. She gained prominence through her appearances in the ongoing series Black-ish (2014-Present) and its spin-off Grown-ish (2018-Present). Additionally, she has contributed to several other films, such as:

• Salt (2010) 
• Unthinkable (2010)
• Butter (2011) 
• Imagine That (2009)
• Alex Cross (2012) 
• Scandal (2013) 
• The Fosters (2014) 
• Trollhunters (2016-2018) 
• Bad Teacher (2014) 
• 3Below (2018-2019) 
• Fearless (2020)
• The Sun Is Also a Star (2019) 

7. Lexi Underwood – 17 years 

Since her debut in 2013, Lexi Underwood, a talented actress and singer, has been offered numerous roles. In 2020, she made a memorable appearance in Little Fires Everywhere, where she captivated audiences. 

The NY Times praised her performance as outstanding, a testament to her successful career. Additionally, she portrayed Athena in Will vs. the Future in 2017. Lexi’s extensive resume encompasses various films and TV shows.

• Dance-Off (2014) 
• The Crooked Man (2016) 
• Person of Interest (2014) 
• Half-Caste (2016) 
• Girl Minus (2017) 
• When (2018) 
• Dirt (2017) and If Not Now 
• Code Black (2016) 
• Forgotten Happiness (2014) 
• The Nerd Posse (2017) 
• Walk the Prank (2017) 
• Raven’s Home (2017) 
• Henry Danger (2017) 

8. Dominique Fishback – 29 years 

Dominique Fishback graces the premiere of The Apollo at Apollo Theater. Taylor Hill captured the moment in a photo for Getty Images. Known as one of the top black actresses under 30, Dominique Fishback was born in New York City on March 22, 1991. She gained prominence for portraying Billie Rowan in Show Me a Hero (2015), a role that brought her considerable acclaim.

In 2013, she completed her BA in Theater at Pace University. Dominique’s acting career has seen her appear in various films, including:

• The Knick (2013) 
• Night Comes On (2018) 
• Project Power (2020) 
• Royal Pains (2015) 
• The Affair (2014) 
• The Americans (2015) 
• Random Acts of Flyness (2018)
• The Hate U Give (2018) 
• Blue Bloods (2015) 
• The Deuce (2017-2019) 

 9. Zendaya ColemanStoermer Maree  

This actress and singer began her career as a child model and backup dancer. She debuted acting on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010-2013). In 2013, she participated as a contestant in the 16th season of the Dancing with the Stars competition series. 

In 2011, she unveiled the singles “Swag It Out” and “Watch Me.” Subsequently, she secured a contract with Hollywood Records, marking the start of her successful journey. Her filmography boasts numerous credits, including:

• Spider-Man: Homecoming 
• Good Luck, Charlie (2011) 
• The Greatest Showman (2017) 
• Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) 
• Smallfoot (2018) 
• Frenemies (2012) 
• The OA (2019) 
• Duck Duck Goose (2018) 
• Black-ish (2015)
• Zapped (2014) 
• Dancing with the Stars (2013)  
• Super Buddies (2013) 
• Walk the Prank (2017) 

10. Amandla Stenberg – 22 years 

Amandla Stenberg, a renowned actress and singer, graced the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center. David Crotty captured her photo from the event in Getty Images. Amandla Stenberg earned recognition in 2015 and 2016 when Time listed her among the Most Influential Teens. Born on October 23, 1998, she showcased her talent in her debut film, Colombiana (2011), but her appearance in The Hunger Games the following year propelled her career.

Throughout her illustrious career, she has starred in several notable movies, including:

• Mercy (2013) 
• Rio 2 (2014)
• The World Is Watching: Making The Hunger Games (2012) 
• The Darkest Minds (2018)
• Where Hands Touch (2018) 
• As You Are (2016) 

11. Storm Reid – 17 years 

An American actress, Storm Reid, actively participated in the 51st NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California. A photograph captured by Frazer Harrison is in  Getty Images. Born on July 1, 2003, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Storm Reid developed a keen interest in acting at a young age. 

Her family relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her passion when she was nine. Notably, her breakthrough role came in the fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time (2018). Throughout her career, Storm Reid has been involved in a diverse range of films, including:

• 1Adam DeVine’s House Party (2013) 
• Sleight (2016) 
• 2 Years an Enslaved Person (2013) 
• Lea to the Rescue (2016)
• A Cross to Bear (2012) 
• Don’t Let Go (2019) 
• Chicago PD (2015)
• The Invisible Man (2020) 
• A Happening of Monumental Proportions (2017) 
• When They See Us (2019) 
• NCIS: Los Angeles (2014) 
• The Summoning (2015) 
• Di*ky & Dawn (2014) 

12. Samantha Logan – 24 years 

Samantha Jade Logan, a renowned American actress, gained fame as Olivia Baker in All American and Nina Jones in 13 Reasons Why. She entered this world on October 27, 1996. Throughout her career, she has graced notable films such as:

• Horrible 
• The Empty Man (2020) 
• Melissa & Joey (2014)
• No Good Very Bad Day (2014) 
• 666 Park Avenue (2012-2013) 
• Detachment (2011) 
• General Hospital (2013) 
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2011) 
• Polaroid (2019) 
• Teen Wolf (2014)
• Alexander and the Terrible 
• Cruel Intentions (2016)
• Gossip Girl (2009) 

13. Ajiona Alexus – 24 years 

Ajiona Alexus Brown, born on March 16, 1996, gained fame for her performances in movies like 13 Reasons Why, Empire, and The Rickey Smiley Show. She pursued Theater Arts at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Despite being just 24 years old, she has achieved significant success in acting. Notable films in her repertoire include:

• Chelsea’s Way (2013) 
• Sons 2: The Grave (2015) 
• Unspoken Words (2014) 
• Something Like Summer (2017) 
• My First Love (2015) 
• Family Blood (2018) 
• Grey’s Anatomy (2015) 
• Breaking In (2018) 
• Bad Girl (2016)
• Runaways (2018) 
• Code Black (2015) 
• Acrimony (2018)
• Light as a Feather (2018-2019) 

14. Coco Jones – 24 years 

Coco Jones, a 22-year-old artist, excels in singing, songwriting, rapping, and acting. She was born on January 4, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina. Coco’s career took off with her role in the 2012 movie Let It Shine, but she has been actively pursuing acting since 2006. Throughout her journey, she has graced the screen in numerous films and TV shows, including:

• Let It Shine (2012) 
• Good Luck, Charlie (2012-2013) 
• So Random! (2011-2012) 
• The Exes (2014) 
• Grandma’s House (2016)
• Flock of Four (2017) 
• Five Points (2018)
• Vampires vs the Bronx (2020) 
• Disney Channel Summer Sing-Along (2020) 

15. Lauryn McClain – 23 years 

Lauryn McClain, the elder sister of China Anne McClain, shares a birthdate of January 9, 1997, making her one year older. Sierra Aylina McClain, their other sister, is also an accomplished actress. Lauryn gained fame through her portrayal of Laurin in the popular series ANT Farm (2012), and she has also made notable appearances in various acclaimed films. Among her famous works are:

• Daddy’s Little Girls (2007) 
• Superstition: The Rule of 3’s (2007) 
• Haunt (2019) 

16. Skai Jackson – 18 years 

Skai Jackson, a promising black actress in 2020, hails from New York City, USA, born on April 8, 2002. Besides acting, she excels as an author and YouTuber. Time magazine recognized her as one of the most influential teens in 2016. Starting working at age 5, she debuted in Liberty Kid in 2007. 

Jackson’s filmography includes various productions, such as:

• Team Umizoomi (2010)
• Good Luck, Charlie (2013) 
• Arthur (2011) 
• The Rebound (2009) 
• G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) 
• KC Undercover (2015)  
• Bubble Guppies (2011-2013)
• My Dad’s a Soccer Mom (2014)
• The Smurfs (2011)
• Rescue Me (2008)
• Spider-man (2014)
• Bunk’d (2015-2018) 
• Marvel Rising: Initiation (2018) 

17. Priah Ferguson – 14 years 

At 14, Priah Nicole Ferguson made a name for herself in Hollywood. Born on October 1, 2006, she gained fame by portraying Erica Sinclair in the series Stranger Things (2016). Watching the films Crooklyn and Daddy’s Little Girls sparked her aspiration to become an actress. She actively pursued other film opportunities after her debut on the FX Networks show Atlanta. 

Her notable film credits encompass the following:

• Deus ex Machine (2016) 
• La Vie Magnifique De Charlie (2017) 
• The Oath (2018) 
• Mercy Street (2017) 
• Bluff City Law (2019) 
• Daytime Divas (2017) and Coffee X Cream (2016) 
• Suga Water (2016) and Ends (2016) 

18. Riele Downs – 19 years 

Riele Downs, a child celebrity, has experienced fame throughout her teenage years. She began acting in 2005 at three, appearing in Four Brothers. Riele Downs was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 8, 2001. 

Additionally, she has appeared in various other films, including: 

• Peep and the Big Wide World (2010) 
• Rookie Blue (2010) 
• Regenesis (2008) 
• The Adventures of Kid Danger (2018) 
• Nickelodeon’s Ho Ho Holiday Special (2015) 
• The Gabby Douglas Story (2014) 

19. Quvenzhane Wallis – 17 years 

Quvenzhane Wallis, born August 28, 2003, is an American author and actress. She gained fame for portraying Hushpuppy in the 2012 film Beasts of the Southern Wild. Her remarkable performance led to a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her one of the youngest nominees in the category. 

Additionally, Wallis has appeared in numerous other films, including:

• Annie (2014) 
• 12 Years an enslaved person (2013) 
• Boneshaker (2013) 
• Fathers and Daughters (2015) 
• Trolls (2016)
• Black-ish (2019)
• Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (2014) 
• Lemonade (2016) 

She has earned numerous awards, which include:

• Breakthrough Artist Award from the Austin Film Critics Association 
• Best Actress for Black Reel Award 
• African-American Film Critics Association Award’s Best Breakthrough Performance
• Best Breakout at the Florida Film Critics Circle Awards

20. Barron Jaylen 

Jaylen Barron, now 23 years old, is an actress born on August 31, 1997, in Reno, Nevada, USA, and displayed a passion for acting at a young age. She and her family moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. Barron’s father is African-American, and her mother has Mexican heritage.

At 12, Barron made her acting debut in the movie Bones, followed by Shake It Up. She has also accumulated various film credits throughout her career, which are:

• Good Luck, Charlie (2013-2014) 
• See Dad Run (2012-2013) 
• Those Who Can’t (2016, 2019) 
• Shameless (2016) 
• Free Rein (2017-2019) 
• Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas (2018) 
• Explosion Jones (2017) 
• Twelve Forever (2019) 
• Free Rein: Valentine’s Day (2019) 

In 2020, numerous promising black actresses under 30 gained attention. These individuals possess remarkable talent and have cultivated extensive experience through years of acting. They have honed their skills to perfection and consistently leave us in awe with each new project they undertake.