Tracee Ellis Ross, actress, performance artist and motivational speaker, is the star of the new ABC comedy series Black-ish, which airs Wednesday nights after Modern Family. Ross is best known as the star of the hit sitcom Girlfriends which ran for eight seasons on The UPN/CW network. Her role earned her eight NAACP Image Award nominations including two wins, one in 2007 and another in 2009, in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also starred in and produced the BET series Reed Between the Lines, opposite Malcolm-Jamal Warner, which won her a third NAACP Image Award.
Ross also appeared in the short film series FIVE, a collection of five short films which aired on Lifetime in October 2011. She appeared in “Lili,” directed by Alicia Keys and produced by Jennifer Aniston, Kristin Hahn, Paula Wagner, Marta Kaufman, Francesca Silvestri and Kevin Chinoy.
Ross is a dedicated and passionate motivational speaker. She teaches Tapping Into Your Creative Well, a workshop she created that encourages participants to discover and utilize their inner joy to keep their lives on course. She is also a committed volunteer intent on making a difference in the lives of teenage girls. She works closely with Aviva Family and Children Services in Los Angeles and The Big Brother Big Sister Program, where she has held self-esteem workshops nationwide. Ross was honored by The Los Angeles Urban League as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2004, and was the 2009 recipient of the Impact Award from the Aviva Organization.
In 2012, the fashion influencer expanded her vast digital influence by launching her official website. The lifestyle site utilizes Ross’ unique cross-cultural and joyful point of view to inspire the soul, body and mind of her followers.