10 Things You Need to Know About Aunjanue Ellis

Meet this Book of Negroes star.

Ivy League - Not only does she act in The Book of Negroes, but she's also very well-versed in the subject matter as she has earned her B.A. in African-American studies from Brown University. After graduating from Brown, she studied acting in the Graduate Acting Program at New York University.(Photo: Sonia Recchia/WireImage)
A Delta Lady - In addition to being an ivy league and acting school graduate, Ellis is a member of the Gamma Psi chapter of the not-for profit Greek-letter sorority Delta Sigma Theta. (Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra)
Broadway Star - Proving that she's an all-round entertainment force, Ellis has appeared in a number of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including a revival of the Shakespeare play The Tempest, 2004's Drowning Crow and the Hampton Players and Company production Through the Crack.(Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Naturalista - Ellis is known today for her beautiful natural locs probably just as much as she is known for her amazing acting chops. From early on in her career, she has embraced and showed off her natural curls and has even played with different styles throughout the years. Talk about hairspiration.(Photo: REUTERS/ERIC GAILLARD/LANDOV)Veteran  - Though her role in The Book of Negroes may be her first major leading role, Ellis is no amateur in the acting game. Active in Hollywood for more than 20 years, she has starred in a slew of high profile movies and TV shows including The Practice, True Blood, The Help and Ray.(Photo: Sonia Recchia/WireImage)

Next Gallery

The Best Black Celebrity Looks From NYFW That Shut Down the Runway and the Streets

9 Photos

5 / 11

A Delta Lady - In addition to being an ivy league and acting school graduate, Ellis is a member of the Gamma Psi chapter of the not-for profit Greek-letter sorority Delta Sigma Theta. (Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra)

ADVERTISEMENT