In the first part of this two-part blog series for Black History Month, we explored the personal lives and mental health challenges of two historical Black activists—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Maya Angelou—in order to highlight their character, courage, and honor them beyond their accomplishments.
As the second part of this series, we hope to accomplish the same goal but this time with some contemporary figures in Black and African American culture. In light of this, here are the mental health experiences of two influential Black entertainers:
Oprah Winfrey (1954 – Present)
Most frequently known for her engaging and caring personality on television, Oprah Winfrey is also an actress, entrepreneur, and writer. But—beyond all of that success and fame—she is a regular human with real emotions who has struggled at various points throughout her life. During her childhood, Winfrey was abused by relatives starting at the age of nine. The trauma that she endured took a mental and emotional toll on her well-being and eventually caused her to consider taking her own life when she was 14. Although she was able to fight through this period in her life, she encountered more mental health challenges later on in her career. Winfrey battled with depression following her film adaptation of Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” in 1998. She described her experience with mental illness as feeling as if she “‘was behind a veil’”.
The fact that Winfrey was able to overcome the difficult circumstances and mental health challenges of both her childhood and adulthood—let alone still follow her dreams and succeed—is a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and courage. Moreover, it is inspiring to think about her generosity, desire to give back, and all the lives that she has positively impacted—both directly and indirectly—throughout her career. Recently, Winfrey has even demonstrated a commitment to mental health advocacy. She is currently working alongside Prince Harry (the Duke of Sussex) to produce a documentary series surrounding mental health that will premiere this spring.
Alicia Keys (1981 – Present)
Often recognized for her powerful vocals and soulful music as a singer-songwriter, Alicia Keys is also a record producer and actress, among many other things. Yet, few people know Keys’s personal story and mental health challenges. Keys struggled with depression during a period of her career. In describing her experience, she said, “‘I was feeling so sad all the time, and I couldn’t shake it.’” Keys has also shared how her depression affected her relationships with friends, family members, and even her significant other. She describes how she was emotionally holding back, stating, “‘I became a master of putting up the wall so that I was unreadable.’”
Keys’s perseverance in navigating her mental health challenges—while carrying out a successful music career—is inspiring. She did not let her mental illness define her as a person nor prevent her as a musician from sharing her passion with listeners all over the world. Not to mention, Keys has showcased immense courage by speaking publicly about her depression and mental health, despite all of the stigma present in society. It is clear that she believes that mental health challenges are universal and therefore, discussions surrounding them should be as well.
While we often—and rightfully so—praise historical and contemporary figures for their achievements, it is important that we also spend time appreciating who they were/are. Each of the four Black figures that we have explored in this two-part series—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Alicia Keys—has their own unique story and experiences surrounding mental health. However, all of their stories speak to their character and courage and serve to further remind us of their greatness.
Journal questions to #takethewheel:
- What do the personal stories of Oprah Winfrey and Alicia Keys mean to you as we celebrate Black History Month?
- How do the mental health experiences of Oprah Winfrey and Alicia Keys shape your perspective of mental health?
