22. KARYN PARSONS
NBC struck gold with the megahit sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Outside of being the platform that took a local Philly rapper named The Fresh Prince and made him into the household name that he is today. But in addition to Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro (who has transitioned into a game show host), Tatyana Ali, Little Nicky, Geoffrey the butler, dark-skinned Aunt Viv, and light-skinned Aunt Viv, another character fans of the show loved was Karyn Parsons.
She was the high-fashion, self-centered and indulged daughter of the only father J. Cole ever knew. ( Shout to his “No Role Modelz” song that celebrated James Avery #RIP)
Thankfully, the real woman cares about more than foreign cars, purses, and vacations. Parson, in her grand-second act, has incorporated her love for the richness of her Black history and heritage. As a result, she founded the Sweet Blackberry Foundation. A creative non-profit which uses storytelling to disseminate stories of African-American achievement.