Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
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United States Nia Long is a celebrated actress, producer, and director with a career spanning several decades, recognized for her impactful roles across film and television.
Nia Long was named Estée Lauder's first brand ambassador for North America, featuring in campaigns for their skin care and makeup lines across digital, TV, and print. She stated, “Beauty starts with confidence and honoring your authentic self,” and that she was "excited to partner with Estée Lauder, a storied brand founded by a woman who believed beauty should uplift and empower us to celebrate."
Nia Long, born Nia Talita Long on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American actress with a distinguished career in Hollywood. Her parents were Talita Long, a teacher and printmaker, and Doughtry Long, a high school teacher and poet. After her parents’ divorce when she was two, she accompanied her mother to Iowa City. Long’s acting journey began early, with her coach being Betty Bridges. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, California, and graduated from Westchester High School in Los Angeles in 1989, where she studied various arts including ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting.
Long’s breakthrough role came with the poignant film “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), which addressed social issues in inner-city Los Angeles. She then gained further recognition for her role as Beulah “Lisa” Wilkes on the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1991–1995). Her filmography expanded with notable roles in “Friday” (1995), “Love Jones” (1997), “Soul Food” (1997), “The Best Man” (1999), and “Big Momma’s House” (2000). On television, she earned two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Officer Sasha Monroe in “Third Watch” (2003–2005). She has continued to take on significant roles in both film and television, maintaining a consistent presence in the entertainment industry.
Beyond acting, Nia Long has ventured into directing, making her debut with Ashanti’s music video “Baby” and Yolanda Adams’s “This Too Shall Pass.” She is also a producer, notably for the film “Fatal Affair” (2020) and the documentary “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” (2024). Long has used her platform for community involvement, supporting organizations like Black Girls Rock and serving as an official surrogate for the Barack Obama reelection campaign in 2012. Her long-term goals include connecting women in the US with those in the Caribbean islands and mentoring young girls to foster self-esteem. She also dedicates time to the Sterling Children’s Home in Barbados as a motivational speaker.
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