ESSENCE magazine has recognized 25 distinguished African-Americans who have made a difference. Senator Barack Obama received the most votes in an online poll on essence.com, earning recognition as the “Readers’ Choice” for the year’s most influential African-American.

Essence Magazine 25 Most Influential List:

• Senator Barack Obama
• Gina McCauley- Blogger, whataboutourdaughters.com
• Tyler Perry – Writer, Producer, Director
• Majora Carter – Environmentalist, Founder, Executive Director, Sustainable South Bronx
• Victoria Lanier- Former Youth Director, NAACP, Northeast Region
• Reverend Jesse L. Jackson
• Reverend Al Sharpton
• The JENA Six 
• Beyonce Knowles 
• Oprah Winfrey
• Timbaland
• Cory A. Booker – Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
• Lovie Smith – Head Coach, NFC Champions, Chicago Bears
• Tony Dungy – Head Coach, Super Bowl Champions, Indianapolis Colts
• Deval Patrick – Governor, Massachusetts
• Don Cheadle
• Shonda Rhimes – Creator, Executive Producer, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”
• Venus Williams
• Charles Rangel – Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means
• Barry Bonds
• Cynthia Tucker – Syndicated Columnist, Editorial Page Editor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• The Scarlet Knights – Rutgers University Women’s Basketball Team, NCAA Finalists
• Kiri Davis – Filmmaker, Youth Activist
• Bishop T.D. Jakes – Founder, Senior Pastor, The Potter’s House of Dallas
• Steve Harvey – Radio Personality, Comedian, Actor