Monumental costume designer Ruth E. Carter was cemented into history yesterday –quite literally– by earning her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her impressive list of credits includes work on over 40 films including Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, What’s Love Got to Do With It, Selma, and Black Panther –the latter mentioned secured her a win for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, making her the first Black person to ever win in that category.
“Nothing was handed to me,” Carter shared during the virtual ceremony. “Every moment, every sacrifice, every effort was hard work inspired by my passion. It’s my hope that anyone who sacrifices, who beats these streets of Hollywood carrying their dreams and heavy garment bags full of costumes desiring to be the best, like I did, that when you gaze upon my star, feel my energy, feel the power of your own unique story to realize your dreams so you too can reach your star.”
With Carter rightfully receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we’ve taken a look at some celebrities that would surprise you to know that they don’t have one just yet.
01
Denzel Washington
Washington was honored for the 1993 trial drama Philadelphia co-starring Tom Hanks as Andrew Beckett.
02
Whitney Houston
“The Voice” as she’s commonly referred to, has undoubtedly had a legacy worth having a star on the Walk of Fame, but was reportedly never concerned with having one before her untimely passing in 2012.
03
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time but he still doesn’t have a star—a fact that baffles most of his adoring fans. Winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls and becoming one of the most influential players ever are reasons beyond measure.
04
Oprah Winfrey
Her self-titled talk show was honored at the 9th annual GLAAD Media Awards four Outstanding Talk Show Episode in 1998. She was awarded the same honor at the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
05
Prince
Fun fact: Prince was actually approached not once, but twice, about receiving his own star before his death in 2016. He reportedly turned it down both times because he stated the “timing just wasn’t right,” according to a representative from the Walk of Fame.
Article continues after video.
06
Rihanna
The Bajan bombshell has 8 best-selling albums (making her one of the best-selling artists of all time), an incredibly successful lingerie line, and is just an overall mega star, so it is a little absurd we have yet to see her name grace the cement.
07
James Earl Jones
Today he and his thunderous voice have cemented countless characters in our brain including the King savvy enough to throw his own funeral in Coming 2 America.
Yes, this is a wild fun fact that is shared between the powerful couple: neither has their own star as of yet. Destiny’s Child as a group was presented with one in 2006, but there isn’t one for Beyonce in her own right. With 24 Grammys, 26 MTV Music Video Awards, and countless other accomplishments, this one is a no-brainer.
09
Jay-Z
The rapper who basically needs no introduction, and is widely considered as one of the greatest of all time, should also have his own star to celebrate his overwhelming success. With the numerous business endeavors and chart-topping albums he’s been able to meet with extreme fanfare, it’s truly shocking there isn’t one for him just yet.
10
Kanye West
Kanye West was awarded for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for ‘Jesus Is King’
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
