The 6 Most Beloved Black Bostonians, Ranked

6. Jasmine Guy

When you think about it, it makes a ton of sense that the iconic actress who brought A Different World’s Whitley Gilbert to life was channeled from big Boston energy.

5. Patrice O’Neal

The famed Boston standup comedy scene is somehow even paler than Bill Burr’s shaven scalp, but there wasn’t a smahhhhtass among them who didn’t bow down to O’Neal.

4. Guru

Is he the greatest rapper to ever come out of Boston? As one half of Gang Starr, he’s responsible for some straight-up classics that put him head and shoulders above most. (Yes, that includes the guy who made “Bootee.”)

3. Donna Summer

This music icon was the absolute flyest back in the day. You might not think she’s from the home of, uh, whatever there is in Boston. But lo and behold, she overcame the, uh, Boston and gave us endless bops.

2. Meshach Taylor

Designing Women, anyone? Not only did Meshach give us some Black-ass moments in a room full of White women, but he was also one of the first people on TV to go off on said White women whenever he wanted. Such an inspiration.

1. Bobby Brown

Is there a rule that states Black Bostonians can’t have statues in their honor in the city? Probably, right? Right. It’s the only logical explanation for why exactly zero members of New Edition — most notably B. Brown — have replaced Paul Revere, John Madison, John Cougar Mellencamp, or whichever other White folks have been memorialized via statues in the city. (Please appreciate the breadth of research done for this list. And join our crusade to get Bobby his own damn statue!)