Rapper Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham to an African American father and a Jewish Canadian mother.
Sammy Davis Jr. converted to Judaism after almost loosing his life in a car accident in 1954
Actress Maya Rudolph’s father, Richard Rudolph, is Ashkenazi Jewish (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)
Amar’e Stoudemire traveled to Israel after learning of his mother Jewish roots and tattooed the star of David on his arm.
Lenny Kravitz’s father, Sy Kravitz, is Jewish
Rapper Shyne changed his name from Jamal Michael Barrow to Moses Michael Levi out of respect for his grandmother’s Jewish Heritage and converted to Judaism
Actor Boris Kodjoe’s great grandmother was Jewish and died in the Holocaust
Tracee Ellis Ross was born to Diana Ross and Jewish business manager Robert Ellis Silberstein
Better known as Denise Huxtale on The Cosby Show, Lisa Bonet was born to Jewish mother Arene Litman
Actress/singer Nell carter converted to Judaism in 1982 when she married George Krynicki (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)
Lauren London was born to an African American mother and Jewish Father
While African-Americans are overwhelmingly Christian, there is a sizable black and Jewish population and some of our favorite stars practice Judaism. Rapper Drake’s recent music video “HYFR” promoted a proud identification with his Jewish roots. Check out the slideshow below to see some of the most prominent Jews of color.
