Best African American Actresses Under 30

Finding the next wave of talent is easier when you know where to look. These African American actresses under 30 have built real resumes across film, television, and streaming, with credits that span drama, comedy, action, and genre projects. You will recognize many of the titles, and you will also see how consistently these performers have worked from an early age.

Each entry includes roles, recognitions, and training details where relevant, along with recent projects that show how active they are right now. The goal is simple. If you want to keep up with the names driving today’s stories, this list gives you the essentials in one place.

Zendaya

Zendaya’s television work includes the lead role in ‘Euphoria’ and earlier Disney Channel series that established her on screen from a young age. Her film credits include the ‘Spider-Man’ series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the science fiction epic ‘Dune’, along with music, fashion, and producing work that often runs in parallel with acting.

She began as a child performer with dance and theater before moving into national television. Her awards cabinet includes multiple major acting honors for ‘Euphoria’, and she continues to anchor large scale features while developing projects through her production banner.

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey starred as Ariel in Disney’s live action ‘The Little Mermaid’ and appeared in ‘The Color Purple’. She also performs as part of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, which brought early Grammy nominations and high profile tours, giving her a performance base beyond acting.

She trained in vocals and guitar from childhood and worked on screen starting with guest roles before landing leading parts. Her slate now includes both studio features and smaller projects, and she balances music releases with on camera work.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg’s filmography includes ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘The Hate U Give’, and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Acolyte’. They also appear in independent dramas and genre films that have premiered at major festivals, with several projects adapted from bestselling novels.

They began acting in commercials and voice roles and studied performance and music. Their work has earned multiple nominations and wins from industry groups and youth focused award bodies, and they frequently collaborate on stories centered on coming of age and social themes.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi played Zoey Johnson across ‘black-ish’ and the college set spinoff ‘grown-ish’. She has also appeared in features like ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ and produces content through a deal that supports young creators.

She graduated from Harvard while continuing to act and produce. Her credits include voice roles, brand campaigns, and nonprofit partnerships, and she often participates in projects that pair storytelling with education or civic initiatives.

Coco Jones

Coco Jones stars as Hilary Banks in ‘Bel-Air’ and first reached national audiences through Disney Channel projects and music releases. Her catalog includes singles and an EP that charted on R&B lists alongside on screen roles in series and films.

She trained in singing and acting from childhood competitions and talent showcases. Her recent work spans streaming dramas, holiday films, and touring, and she continues to book roles that connect her music and acting careers.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid’s roles include ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, ‘Euphoria’, and ‘The Last of Us’. She has appeared in thrillers and dramas across film and streaming, and she received recognition from several youth and genre award groups for performances in high profile projects.

She began acting at a very young age with commercials and short films before moving to studio features. She also studies at the University of Southern California and produces select projects, working both in front of and behind the camera.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin played Diane Johnson in ‘black-ish’ and led the feature ‘Little’, which she also produced. She holds the record as one of the youngest executive producers of a major studio film and has continued producing scripted series and specials.

She started acting in commercials in Texas before moving to Los Angeles. Her production company develops family friendly comedies and coming of age stories, and her on screen work includes voice acting, hosting, and brand partnerships.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is known for ‘Jessie’ and ‘Bunk’d’ on Disney Channel. Her credits include voice roles in animated series and appearances in music videos and commercials that grew her profile beyond traditional television.

She began modeling and acting as a child in print and national campaigns. She has authored a book and continues to work in television, animation, and digital content while engaging in public speaking and advocacy programs for youth.

Saniyya Sidney

Saniyya Sidney played Venus Williams in ‘King Richard’ and appeared in ‘Fences’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. On television she starred in the thriller series ‘The Passage’ and has taken roles that involve significant research and athletic training.

She started acting in short films and guest TV roles before moving to award nominated features. Her performances have received ensemble and breakthrough recognition, and she continues to build credits in biographical and dramatic projects.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ and later starred in the musical ‘Annie’. She has worked in television with roles in series like ‘Swagger’ and continues to act in independent and studio productions.

She began acting by auditioning for a local film as a child and then moved quickly into leading roles. Her work includes voice acting, book publishing for children, and appearances in music videos and commercials.

Lexi Underwood

Lexi Underwood played Pearl Warren in ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and portrayed Malia Obama in ‘The First Lady’. She has also appeared in procedural and anthology series across major networks and streaming platforms.

She trained in theater and music and performed on stage before screen roles. Her recent credits include drama and thriller projects, and she continues to expand into producing and directing short form pieces.

Demi Singleton

Demi Singleton portrayed Serena Williams in ‘King Richard’ and Margaret Johnson in ‘Godfather of Harlem’. She trained in ballet, music, and theater in New York, which led to her first roles on Broadway before television and film.

Her background includes classical voice and dance studies that inform her on screen work. She continues to book period pieces and contemporary dramas and participates in youth arts education programs.

Shahadi Wright Joseph

Shahadi Wright Joseph starred in ‘Us’ and voiced young Nala in ‘The Lion King’. She led the horror anthology series ‘Them’ and has performed on Broadway in major musicals that require singing and dance.

She started in theater at a young age with roles that demanded vocal training and choreography. Her film and TV work focuses on genre and family titles, and she continues to develop music projects alongside acting.

Ajiona Alexus

Ajiona Alexus appeared in ’13 Reasons Why’, ‘Empire’, and the feature ‘Breaking In’. She has also guest starred in crime and thriller series across cable and streaming and records music that complements her acting schedule.

She studied theater in high school and regional programs before moving into television. Her credits include a mix of recurring roles and features, and she often plays characters in music centered or high tension storylines.

China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain led ‘A.N.T. Farm’ and played Jennifer Pierce in ‘Black Lightning’. She appears in Disney’s ‘Descendants’ franchise and records music both solo and with her sisters under the group name McClain.

She began acting and singing in childhood with a breakout role in a family comedy feature. Her television work spans sitcoms, superhero dramas, and movies of the week, and she continues to record and perform live.

Chandler Kinney

Chandler Kinney starred in ‘Pretty Little Liars The Perfectionists’ and later appeared in Disney’s ‘Zombies’ films. She was a series regular on the ‘Lethal Weapon’ television adaptation and trained extensively in dance.

She started as a dancer before transitioning to acting with commercials and guest roles. Her resume now includes genre television, musical projects, and choreography work that connects to her film and TV commitments.

Lovie Simone

Lovie Simone played Zora Greenleaf in ‘Greenleaf’ and led the films ‘Selah and the Spades’ and ‘The Craft Legacy’. She also appears in limited series and independent dramas that have screened at major festivals.

She studied acting in New York and worked in commercials before landing series roles. Her projects frequently explore teen leadership and moral complexity, and she continues to work with both first time and veteran directors.

Tati Gabrielle

Tati Gabrielle’s credits include ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and ‘You’. She has appeared in the heist series ‘Kaleidoscope’ and in the feature adaptation ‘Uncharted’, along with voice roles in animation and games.

She trained at an arts high school and later at a university theater program before moving into television. Her projects cover suspense, fantasy, and action, and she often works in ensembles with heavy stunt and location work.

Imani Lewis

Imani Lewis starred in the vampire series ‘First Kill’ and appeared in the film ‘Eighth Grade’. She has taken roles in crime dramas like ‘Hightown’ and has built a mix of independent and mainstream credits.

She began with short films and music video appearances before booking recurring television parts. Her recent projects include pilots and features in development, and she continues to work across streaming and cable platforms.

Priah Ferguson

Priah Ferguson plays Erica Sinclair in ‘Stranger Things’ and led the family horror comedy ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’. She has also appeared in sitcoms and shorts produced in Atlanta, where she began acting.

She trained in local theater programs and community productions before national roles. Her work now includes voice acting, brand campaigns, and participation in youth and literacy organizations tied to her hometown.

Chloe Bailey

Chloe Bailey starred in ‘Swarm’ and led the musical comedy ‘Praise This’. She appeared in ‘Grown-ish’ and has voice credits that include animated series and specials. Her on screen roles sit alongside an active music career that includes tours, albums, and soundtrack contributions.

She trained in vocals, songwriting, and production and began performing professionally with her sister at a young age. She continues to balance studio features, television projects, and live performances while developing scripted content through her production work.

Madison Bailey

Madison Bailey plays Kiara in ‘Outer Banks’ and has guest appearances in shows like ‘American Horror Story’. Her film work includes thrillers and dramas released through streaming and festival circuits.

She began in local theater and short films before moving to television. Her schedule includes recurring series roles and independent features, with on location shoots that often coordinate with long running ensemble productions.

Sierra Capri

Sierra Capri is known for playing Monse in ‘On My Block’. She also appears in crime and mystery films on streaming platforms.

She studied biology before pivoting to acting and booked her breakout role through an open casting process. Her work now includes film and limited series projects, and she participates in outreach tied to education and STEM programs.

Lyric Ross

Lyric Ross played Deja in ‘This Is Us’ and appears in Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’. She has guest starred in procedural series and independent features that premiered at regional festivals.

She began acting in commercials and local productions around Chicago. Her current roles include genre television and character driven dramas, and she collaborates with organizations that support foster and adoptive families.

Eris Baker

Eris Baker portrayed Tess Pearson in ‘This Is Us’ across multiple seasons. She has appeared in short films and digital series that focus on family and adolescence.

She started in print and commercial work before moving to television. Her credits include voice roles and youth focused campaigns, and she continues to build film and streaming projects alongside school commitments.

Riele Downs

Riele Downs starred as Charlotte in ‘Henry Danger’ and led the teen fantasy ‘Darby and the Dead’. She has additional credits in holiday films and television comedies.

She began acting in Canada and the United States with early roles in family features. Her recent work covers romantic comedies and genre titles for streaming, and she maintains dance and fitness training that supports stunt heavy shoots.

Laya DeLeon Hayes

Laya DeLeon Hayes voices the title character in ‘Doc McStuffins’ and co stars in ‘The Equalizer’. Her resume includes guest roles in sitcoms and dramas along with video game voice work.

She started in commercials and stage performances before steady television roles. She records in studio for animation while filming live action projects and continues to study acting and movement to support action sequences.

Kaci Walfall

Kaci Walfall led the superhero series ‘Naomi’ and has appeared in network dramas and limited series. She also has theater experience from early training programs.

She began with school productions and professional workshops in New York. Her current slate includes pilots and independent films, and she works with mentors from her theater background to prepare for auditions and screen tests.

Celeste O’Connor

Celeste O’Connor appears in ‘Ghostbusters Afterlife’ and its sequel and co starred in ‘Madame Web’. Their filmography includes independent dramas and festival premieres with roles that span coming of age and action.

They studied public health while pursuing acting and trained in on camera technique and stunt basics. Current projects include studio franchises and character pieces, and they work between Los Angeles and New York to accommodate production schedules.

Hailey Kilgore

Hailey Kilgore portrayed Young Aretha in ‘Respect’ and stars in ‘The Equalizer’. She earned a Tony nomination for ‘Once on This Island’ and continues to perform in concert settings.

She trained in musical theater and voice and transitioned from Broadway to screen roles. Her projects often involve live vocals and choreography, and she records cast albums and singles alongside episodic television shoots.

Kyliegh Curran

Kyliegh Curran starred in ‘Doctor Sleep’ and leads the Disney series ‘Secrets of Sulphur Springs’. She has stage credits from regional theaters and workshops.

She began acting classes at a young age and performed in productions that required travel and tutoring. Her schedule combines series production in the Southeast with feature auditions, and she continues academic studies through flexible education programs.

Navia Robinson

Navia Robinson is known for ‘Raven’s Home’ and co stars in ‘Gotham Knights’. She has worked on pilots and television movies across Disney and the CW.

She started in modeling and commercials before landing recurring television roles. Her recent work includes superhero drama and family comedy, and she maintains training in stage combat and voice to support varied projects.

Jaylen Barron

Jaylen Barron starred in ‘Free Rein’ and appears in the series ‘Blindspotting’. She has recurring roles in network dramas and streaming comedies.

She began acting in youth theater and moved into television with guest spots. Her current credits span half hour and hour long formats, and she works between Los Angeles and international locations when productions require travel.

Zolee Griggs

Zolee Griggs portrays Shurrie Diggs in ‘Wu-Tang An American Saga’ and appears in action and thriller features. She has hosted digital content tied to fashion and music.

She started as a blogger and on camera host before expanding into scripted roles. Her projects often film on location in New York and Atlanta, and she continues to develop lifestyle content alongside film and television work.

Diamond White

Diamond White voices characters in ‘The Lion Guard’ and ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ and appears on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’. She has released music as a solo artist with EPs and singles.

She began performing on national talent shows and transitioned to acting and voice work. Her schedule includes daytime television, animation recording sessions, and studio time for new music.

Talia Jackson

Talia Jackson starred as Jade McKellan in ‘Family Reunion’. She has credits in holiday films and guest roles in youth oriented series.

She started in commercials and music videos before series regular work. Her current projects include independent features and songwriting, and she records original music while pursuing auditions for drama and comedy.

Genneya Walton

Genneya Walton appeared in ‘Project MC²’ and has roles in series like ‘#blackAF’ and teen dramas on streaming. She is trained in multiple dance styles and performs choreography based roles.

She began in dance competitions and transitioned to acting through commercial spots. Her recent work includes pilots and guest arcs, and she studies cinematography to support future directing ambitions.

Dara Reneé

Dara Reneé plays Kourtney in ‘High School Musical The Musical The Series’ and hosts behind the scenes specials for Disney projects. She has credits in television movies and musical performances.

She trained at performing arts schools in Los Angeles and participates in songwriting and arranging. Her schedule blends rehearsal, recording, and shoot days, and she works with vocal coaches to sustain multi episode musical runs.

Savannah Lee Smith

Savannah Lee Smith portrays Monet de Haan in ‘Gossip Girl’. She has additional credits in short films and fashion campaigns connected to her series profile.

She trained at an arts conservatory before landing her breakout role. Her current focus includes auditioning for features while completing brand partnerships, and she continues scene study and movement classes between projects.

Kyla-Drew

Kyla-Drew starred in ‘Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!’ and appears in sports drama and family comedies across streaming. She has guest roles in procedural and anthology shows.

She began acting in Atlanta with commercials and local productions. Her recent work includes independent films and series development, and she studies screenwriting to expand into creating original content.

Share your favorites and the names you think we should add in the comments.