In honor of celebrating Black History Month, there are a lot of African-American voices out there that aren’t only known for how famous they are but for what they do for the black community. Once such person is actor Will Smith (51).

Will Smith, a well known actor/singer, is not only known because of his talents but also for how he started as a normal person with dreams and ended up being a Hollywood A-lister as an actor and placed the Black community on top. 

“When I hear the name Will Smith I think of a well-known and funny actor, I also think of some of his movies that I like such as I am Legend and The Pursuit of Happiness. You really don’t hear about how many foundations he has contributed to because he doesn’t go around bragging about that, he doesn’t need to and his work that he has done is very positive and you don’t hear scandals about him,” said Spanish teacher, Mr. Jose Sendra.

Will Smith was born on September 25th, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother Caroline was a school board employee and his father Willard C. Smith was a refrigeration company owner. 

Smith was strongly invested in the rap culture of West Philadelphia. He began rapping at the age of 12 mimicking his inspiration, Grandmaster Flash. At the age of 16 Smith met Jeffrey Townes at a house party where both came together to put on a phenomenal performance. Since that night Smith and Townes became friends and the dynamic duo of Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born. 

The duo of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was often made fun of by their community because of their PG- rated rap. But they were underestimated; the pair went viral with their first single “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” in 1986.

The moment that Smith had the opportunity he decided to go solo for an album and he accomplished it. Smith named his first solo album Big Willie Style; it became his most commercially successful album. 

The song “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit it” spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998 and won the Grammy for Best Rap Solo performance the following year. 

In addition to his singing career Smith is also an actor. He is one of the best known actors in the US. due to his amazing action and comedy movies. 

Smith starred on the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” before being established as a Hollywood A-lister. Smith played one of the main characters in a show that became very successful in the 90s. The current generation can still enjoy it in syndication.

After the iconic show ended, people started to like him as an actor and in the late 90s he was once again a main character in movies such as,  Bad Boys, Men in Black, Seven Pounds and Independence Day.

This was the start of Smith’s acting career after the show and the multiple films that he started on, everyone started loving him and he got more films.

Smith is very famous and well known all around the world.He doesn’t spend his money on material goods, he contributes his money to charities. Smith has filmed hundreds of movies, he has a mansion and he has a family. Smith has everything that every famous actor has but what makes him unique is how humble he is, not everyone who is famous has this characteristic. 

Will Smith gives back. He has contributed to many charities, some of them more sentimental than others and some of them more logistic than others. The charities that have a deep meaning behind them that Smith contributed to are: The “Dream Foundation”, “Entertainment Industry Foundation” , and “Make-A-Wish Foundation”. There are many more foundations with very deep meanings behind them but these are the top ones. 

                                                       “Don’t chase people. 

                                  Be yourself, do your own thing and work hard. 

                         The right people, the ones who really belong in your life 

                                                 Will come to you and stay.”

                                                                                                          -Will Smith