7 Famous Black People Who Were In Foster Care

Black History Month is a time when we celebrate the achievements and the profound history of black people who have helped shape the world. 

Several of these amazing people were in foster care, and their stories inspire us to dream big and believe in ourselves.

In fact, black children represent around 22% of the total number of children in foster care.

These aren't just stories about getting famous or making it big. They're about real people who faced tough times and came out stronger. They show us what can happen when people get the chance to follow their dreams.

Some found their path through music. Others made their mark in sports or by speaking up for what's right. 

While they all took different roads to success, they share something special: They turned hard beginnings into amazing life stories. Their journeys remind us that everyone deserves a chance to shine, and that believing in young people can change their whole future.

Malcolm X 

Malcolm X's early life wasn't easy. 

When he was just six years old, he lost his father, and soon after, his mother became too ill to care for him and his siblings. This led to his time in foster care, where he moved between different homes.

As he grew up, Malcolm became one of the most powerful speakers for Black rights in American history. He wasn't afraid to talk about hard truths or stand up for what he believed in. 

His experiences in foster care and as a young Black man in America shaped how he saw the world and pushed him to fight for change.

Today, Malcolm X's words and ideas still inspire people to speak up and work for justice. His story shows us that experiencing foster care is just one part of someone's journey — not their whole story. He turned his challenges into fuel for change, becoming a leader who helped shape the civil rights movement.

Tiffany Haddish

When Tiffany Haddish was nine years old, she and her siblings entered foster care after her mom was in a serious car accident. 

Growing up, she moved between multiple foster homes and group homes. But Tiffany found something special during these tough times — her sense of humor.

As Haddish shares in her book, The Last Black Unicorn:

“My mom went into a mental facility, and me and my four younger sisters and brothers went into foster care. I was in group homes for a while…My comedy skills came in really handy.” Haddish wrote in her book, 

She discovered that making people laugh could bring light to dark places. Her social worker even noticed this gift and signed her up for a comedy camp. This early start in comedy helped launch her path to becoming one of today's most loved actresses and comedians.

Now, Tiffany uses her voice to help young people in foster care. She created the She Ready Foundation, which gives suitcases to youth in foster care so they don't have to carry their belongings in trash bags. 

Eddie Murphy 

When Eddie Murphy was young, his family faced a tough time. 

His mom got very sick and couldn't take care of him and his brother for a while, so they briefly lived in foster care. 

But this short chapter in his life didn't stop him from chasing his dreams.

Eddie found out early that he could make people laugh. By age 19, he landed a spot on Saturday Night Live, where he became one of the show's biggest stars. He went on to make movies that made millions of people laugh, including "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Coming to America."

Today, Eddie Murphy continues to make us laugh while being a proud dad to his own large family.

Louis Armstrong

Growing up in New Orleans, Louis Armstrong's early life was filled with challenges. 

When Louis was young, he was raised in kinship care by his grandmother — his mother had a troubled life, and his father abandoned him. 

After running into trouble as a young boy, he was sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. 

But this tough time led to something amazing — it's when he learned to play the trumpet.

The music teacher at his group home saw something special in young Louis and put a trumpet in his hands. This moment changed his life forever. Louis practiced every day, turning his natural talent into pure magic. After leaving the group home, he went on to become one of the most important musicians in history.

Known as "Satchmo," Louis Armstrong didn't just play jazz — he helped create what jazz is today. 

Simone Biles

Before Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history, she spent her early years in foster care. 

Her grandmother, who later adopted her, saw something special in young Simone and gave her the stable, loving home she needed to thrive.

“I actually was a foster kid, so I know some of those hardships that those kids go through,” Biles said while speaking to People Magazine.

“When my siblings and I entered foster care, it was because our biological mom was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. I was three years old.”

Once she found gymnastics, there was no stopping her. Simone went on to win multiple Olympic medals and change what people thought was possible in her sport.

But she's done more than just win medals — she's also shown incredible courage by speaking up about mental health and being true to yourself.

Today, Simone uses her voice to support young people in foster care. Her story shows that with love, support, and determination, amazing things are possible.

Alonzo Mourning

Before becoming an NBA star, Alonzo Mourning spent time in foster care. 

His life changed when his foster parent — who was also his high school basketball coach — saw his potential both on and off the court. With this support, Alonzo's talent in basketball really took off.

Alonzo talks about this experience in a letter he wrote to his younger self:

“But that all changes right now. Today, when you leave the group home, you’re going to head over to a nice house on Oliver Avenue in Chesapeake, Virginia, to meet a woman named Fannie Threet. She’ll smile big and wide, and let you know that her home is now your home. In that moment, right then and there, you’ll have met your guardian angel.”

He went on to become one of the NBA's best players, winning a championship with the Miami Heat. But what makes Alonzo special isn't just his playing — it's how he gives back. 

He created programs to help young people succeed and regularly speaks about the importance of supporting youth in foster care.

Through his charity work, Alonzo shows that success isn't just about what you achieve, but also how you help others along the way.

Victoria Rowell

Victoria Rowell spent 18 years living in different foster homes before becoming a famous actress. At 18 years old, she aged out of foster care — something that unfortunately affects around 25,000 children in care throughout the US. 

Along the way, she had foster parents who saw her talent in ballet and helped her follow her dreams.

She became well-known for her role on "The Young and the Restless" and other TV shows. But Victoria does more than act — she's one of the strongest voices speaking up for young people in foster care. She wrote books about her experiences and created a program to help youth in foster care learn about the arts.

Victoria often says that her time in foster care made her stronger. 

"You just have to get up. It's okay to be down. Being down is part of life. Challenges, speed bumps, it's part of life, but to have the intestinal fortitude to get back up is what really matters at the end of the day," she told People Magazine.

Today, she uses her voice to help others and show that living in foster care is just part of someone's story — not the end of it.

Read More Inspiring Stories From Real Foster Parents

Hearing from famous celebrities about their experiences in foster care can be an inspiring way to learn more about fostering.

If you’re looking for more incredible stories, download Letters Written With Love: a collection of letters written by foster parents to the children in their care.

Get your free copy today and find out what it’s really like to be a foster parent!