Stars aren’t just made in Hollywood. Our city is home to many celebrities and personalities that have made great impact not only nationally, but also globally. Think actors, best-selling authors, artists, influencers, prominent business starters — the Twin City has them all.
While some called Winston-Salem their home at one point of their lives, a handful were born and raised in the city. Without further ado, here are some of Winston-Salem’s most famous alumni:
Maya Angelou | The poet, author, and civil rights activist was a professor at Wake Forest University and lived at 3240 Valley Rd. where she would often host her grad students for dinners. The poet is known for her piercing writing voice, including her most famous poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which has sold over one million copies worldwide.
Dr. Gary Chapman | The famous author who currently lives in Winston-Salem has sold over 20 million copies of his book “The 5 Love Languages.” The book has been translated into 40+ languages. Chapman travels through the US hosting marriage and family conferences.
Richard Joshua Reynolds | The founder of the second-largest tobacco company in the US started the business in the town of Winston in 1873. Camel cigarettes became the highest-selling cigarette in 1913, making Winston-Salem a prime location for business trades.
Chris Paul | The Winston-Salem native attended Wake Forest University and led the Demon Deacons to a school record of 27 victories. The 12-time NBA All-Star was named among the 75 greatest players in NBA history. He recently launched a line of plant-based snacks, Good Eat’n, available in stores like Walmart.
Ben Folds | The Emmy-nominated composer and New York Times bestselling author has performed with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. The Winston-Salem native will return to his hometown for an in-concert performance alongside The Winston-Salem Symphony on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Burgess Jenkins | The actor has starred in movies like “One Tree Hill” and “Blue Ridge.” Born in Winston-Salem, Jenkins came back to his hometown where he turned the iconic Summit Street Pharmacy building into a charming cafe and bar — The Remedy in West End.
Angela Bassett | The actress, who grew up in the Twin City through the age of four, is well known for her role as queen of Wakanda in the “Black Panther” movies. She spent summers in Winston-Salem with her aunt throughout her youth.
9th Wonder | The hip-hop producer was ranked among Billboard’s top 25 greatest rap producers of all time. He gained recognition for working with artists like Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, and Drake. You can see a mural of the legend while strolling around the Twin City.
Nia Imani Franklin | The composer, actress, conductor, and singer was crowned Miss America 2019 and attended UNC School of the Arts. Her EP, “Extended,” and her orchestra piece “Chrysalis Extended,” has amassed nearly four million views on her TikTok profile.