Teachers have a tough job. They’re in charge of molding young minds and making sure that children have the foundation they need to move forward and become successful.
There are a few celebs who can relate. From Craig Robinson to Mr. T, these famous faces know just how hard and rewarding being a teacher can be.
01
Jesse Williams
Before becoming one of our favorite doctors on Grey’s Anatomy, Williams was a Philadelphia high school teacher. The actor taught English, African Studies, and American Studies.
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho
02
Barack Obama
Prior to serving as the 44th United States president, Obama was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School for 12 years.
Scott Olson
03
Roberta Flack
Following her father’s sudden death, Flack took a teaching job at 19, performing at night clubs in the evening and on weekends.
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04
Mr. T
We pity the fool who skipped Mr. T’s gym class because we bet it was pretty fun.
Ray Tamarra
05
Jill Scott Mane Moments: 2017
In a 2015 Huffington Post article, Scott opened up about her days as a teacher and ways to prevent police assaults in school.
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06
Craig Robinson
The comedian and actor was a Chicago music teacher before his big break. Robinson taught at Horace Mann Elementary in South Chicago and Henry Eggers Middle School.
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.
