Trailblazers Archives
    Sheroes Archives
    Rocks Archives

Executive Profiles


Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens
Singer/Rapper, Talk Show Host, Actress, Author

 

Born Dana Owens, thirty years ago in Newark, New Jersey, this multi-talented star first came to the public's attention in 1989 with the release of her groundbreaking debut album, "All Hail The Queen." With her debut album and the subsequent single, "Ladies First," Queen Latifah set the standard for what a woman in the hip-hop game can say, should say and be. The win of a Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Rap Solo Performance for the song "U.N.I.T.Y." firmly reestablished Queen Latifah as a positive voice in hip hop, as well as a role model of empowerment and pride for her generation... especially young women.

 

As an artist manager, Grammy Award winning artist, published author, star of television and film, business owner and now, talk show host and executive producer... Queen Latifah is an entertainment triple threat... twice over! Currently, she hosts "Queen Latifah" a five times weekly nationally syndicated daytime talk show that debuted on September 20, 1999. The show offers an unexpected mix of celebrity guests and entertainment, as well as real people with real issues. Benefiting from Latifah's dynamic personality and singular voice, "Queen Latifah" has been heralded as the talk show for a new generation.

 

While very busy with her thriving music career, Latifah moved seamlessly into television and starred for five years in the Warner Bros. Television hit series "Living Single," again presenting a positive role model to young fans. In addition to her highly successful series, Latifah also starred in the special "AT&T Presents: Queen Latifah and Friends," and the CBS miniseries, "Mama Flora's Family."

 

With several TV successes neatly tucked under her belt, it was inevitable that Latifah's next move would be films. By polishing her skills with smaller roles in such movies as "Jungle Fever," "My Life," "House Party," "Sphere," and "Hoodlum," Queen Latifah's star was set to shine when she starred in "Set It Off." This highly acclaimed role led to her huge performance as a torch singer in "Living Out Loud," and a role in 1999's "The Bone Collector," with Denzel Washington.

 

While performing is Latifah's first love, she is committed to recognizing and nurturing talent in others. She and business partner, Sha-Kim Compere run Flavor Unit Entertainment, which includes a record label, an artist management company and television and film production companies. In the ten years that Flavor Unit has been in existence, Queen Latifah and Sha-kim have guided the careers of some of the hottest groups in the hip-hop and R&B arena, while managing the acting careers of some of the industry's biggest talents, such as LL Cool J.

 

Whether singing, acting, producing, or running her business empire, Queen Latifah has never forgotten what's important to her... take pride in yourself and your community. In 1993, after the death of her brother Lance, Latifah established the Lancelot H. Owens Foundation, which awards scholarships to students who excel scholastically but have limited financial resources. In 1999, Latifah continued her message of positive self-esteem, using her own life as an example, by writing the New York Times Bestseller, "Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman." Containing a pictorial of Latifah's childhood and early years in show business, the book illustrates that everyone is a king or a queen.

 

Blessed with style, substance and a generous heart, Queen Latifah has quite simply done everything she's set out to do in her young life. With her talk show renewed for a second season, The Queen shows no sign of slowing down... she is a lady with no boundaries.

 

We salute Queen Latifah a NABFEME Shero.

 



About Us | Features | Membership | Programs & Services | Events | Contact