Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade, known professionally as Gabrielle Union, was born on Oct. 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska. She is an outstanding actress, a passionate activist, a great storyteller, and a serial entrepreneur.
She is the daughter of Theresa (Glass), a phone company manager and social worker, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant. Raised in a Catholic family, Union was imbued from a young age with the values of independence and self-reliance, principles that have guided her throughout her life. Her education at Foothill High School was marked by her involvement in various sports, including varsity soccer, track, and basketball.
Union’s early life was not without challenges. Her parents’ divorce after 30 years of marriage was a pivotal moment, yet she commends them for handling the separation with grace and putting the well-being of their children first. The strength and resilience her parents demonstrated during their divorce left a lasting impact on Union. Additionally, growing up, she faced self-esteem issues related to colorism, struggling with societal beauty standards that did not represent her. She was attacked and raped at gunpoint when she was 19. This experience profoundly affected Union. She overcame the trauma by applying the lessons she learned from Oprah Winfrey’s talk show.
Union’s acting career began with minor television roles in the late 1990s, appearing in episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Moesha,” “Sister, Sister,” and even “Friends.” These early experiences laid the groundwork for her future success. Her breakthrough came with her role in the teen film “Bring It On,” which catapulted her into the spotlight. Following this, Union secured her first leading role in “Deliver Us from Eva” in 2003, praised for her ability to navigate between humour and drama effectively.
Union’s filmography is extensive, with notable performances in both romantic comedies like “The Brothers” and the “Think Like a Man” series, as well as in dramas and action films such as “Bad Boys II” and “The Birth of a Nation.” Her versatility as an actress is evident in her success across various genres. Beyond the screen, Union has starred in significant television roles, particularly in the BET drama “Being Mary Jane,” earning her critical acclaim and an NAACP Image Award.
Beyond acting, Union is a fervent activist and author. She has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of assault, using her platform to support and bring attention to victims of sexual violence. Union’s honesty and advocacy in her “Fierce and Fearless Award” acceptance speech inspired many, including Oprah Winfrey, highlighting her impact within and outside of Hollywood.
She has also ventured into politics, actively supporting Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns and being appointed to the National Advisory Committee for Violence Against Women. Her inclusion in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in 2020 attests to her broad impact and influence.
Union has clearly shown that she is a powerhouse of talents, ideas, and passion. Beyond her roles as an actress and activist, she is an astute businesswoman and investor. Here, Billionaire Africa highlights her ventures and explores her wealth.
- Flawless by Gabrielle Union
In 2017, Union embarked on a new venture, launching the haircare brand Flawless. This initiative was deeply personal for Union, who, while undergoing IVF treatments that same year, experienced significant hair loss—a challenge that spurred her into action. The distressing side effect led Union to explore and experiment with various ingredients that could potentially aid in hair regrowth. Although Flawless’s product range does not exclusively target hair growth, the line is profoundly influenced by Union’s experience, with a clear focus on incorporating ingredients known for their moisturizing, strengthening, and hair health-rebuilding properties.
During an interview with WWD in 2017, she expressed her desire to empower women with textured hair to achieve consistently great hair days without the struggle she endured. Reflecting on her own hair journey, Union shared the extreme lengths she went to for straight hair, including the damaging overuse of relaxers that resulted in scalp lesions. This pursuit of an unattainable beauty standard ultimately led her to embrace her natural hair underneath the protective styles of weaves, extensions, and hair colour. Union’s partnership in developing Flawless was with executives from Macadamia Beauty LLC, known for their Macadamia Natural Oil haircare brand, leveraging their industry expertise to ensure the brand’s success.
The re-launch of Flawless in Aug. 2020 marked a significant evolution of the brand. For this new phase, Union teamed up with her longtime hairstylist and friend, Larry Sims, who brought extensive experience in the haircare industry to the table. Together, they introduced 12 innovative products, accompanied by a fresh branding approach. This revamped product line, featuring a co-wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, various moisturising treatments, and scalp care products, was developed through a collaborative and hands-on approach by Union and Sims.
- Bitsy’s
In 2020, Union took on a pivotal role as a co-founder of Bitsy’s, alongside Maggie Patton and Alex Buckley, who collectively have 20 years of expertise in childhood education and wellness. Bitsy’s mission is dedicated to making healthy, allergen-friendly, and school-safe snacks both accessible and affordable for families everywhere, irrespective of their location or economic status. Before Union’s involvement, Bitsy’s struggled to gain the market recognition it deserved despite its superior product line. Union’s addition to the team was met with enthusiasm and optimism by the other co-founders, as they recognised the significant impact her involvement could bring.
Union’s extensive reach and influence, underscored by her 16 million Instagram followers at the time, along with millions more across Twitter and Facebook, positioned her as the most influential founder within the organic food sector. This vast platform was seen as a crucial asset in propelling Bitsy’s to new heights in consumer engagement and market penetration. Her ability to leverage her following for a brand she deeply respects was a key factor in her decision to join Bitsy’s.
- I’ll Have Another Productions
In 2018, Union founded I’ll Have Another, a production company under the leadership of Kian Gass, who oversees development and production efforts. The company is dedicated to crafting narratives that bring marginalised communities to the forefront, presenting their unique viewpoints genuinely and respectfully. Union’s vision for I’ll Have Another is to champion cultural, community, and individual representation in media, emphasising the importance of showcasing underrepresented voices and their diverse perspectives on screen.
In the same year the company was launched, Union secured a first-look deal with Sony Pictures TV. The partnership was centred around the expansion of the Bad Boys movie franchise, enabling I’ll Have Another to explore opportunities across broadcast, cable, and digital platforms specifically for Sony TV, aiming to develop a range of projects over a two-year period.
By 2022, Union’s strategic direction took a significant turn as she entered into an overall deal with BET Studios through I’ll Have Another. This collaboration was particularly noteworthy because BET Studios, a venture initiated by Paramount and BET, aims to produce premium content that elevates black creators. This content is destined for a variety of platforms, including Paramount+, Showtime, CBS, Nickelodeon, BET+, BET, and certain third-party platforms, significantly broadening the scope for representation.
- Proudly
In 2022, Union and her husband, Dwyane Wade, introduced Proudly, a baby care product line that aims to be both affordable and specifically tailored for children with melanated skin. This initiative was driven by their personal experiences and the desire to find suitable products for their daughter. To ensure the effectiveness and safety of their products, they collaborated with dermatologist Dr Naana Boakye, developing a range of plant-based, moisturising formulas. These products are meticulously crafted to exclude any harmful or “sketchy” ingredients that might cause irritation, addressing the unique needs of melanated skin, which is often more susceptible to conditions such as dryness, eczema, acne, and cradle cap.
Responding to the needs and requests of their customers, Proudly expanded its offerings in 2023 with the introduction of a haircare line. This new addition aims to cater to the specific hair care needs of children with textured hair, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to providing comprehensive and inclusive care solutions for families. Through Proudly, Union and Wade continue to advocate for greater accessibility and representation in the baby and child-care market, ensuring that families everywhere can find products that meet their unique needs.
- Jomboy Media
Also in 2022, Union joined a distinguished group of investors, including Alexis Ohanian, WWE, Dwyane Wade, Billy Crystal, C.C. Sabathia, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trea Turner, Josh Hader, Noah Syndergaard, and Quinn Cook, in supporting Jomboy Media during its $5 million funding round. This collective of high-profile personalities contributed to the financial backing of an emerging force in the multimedia and entertainment sectors.
Jomboy Media, established in 2017 by Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien and Jake Storiale, stands at the forefront of digital media innovation. Known for its engaging content that blends humour, analysis, and in-depth commentary, Jomboy Media has quickly ascended to prominence within the sports entertainment sphere. With a YouTube following of 1.8 million subscribers, the company boasts several top-rated baseball podcasts and a Twitter presence that will generate over 500 million impressions in 2022, according to company metrics. Furthermore, Jomboy Media has experienced remarkable growth in revenue, multiplying fourfold between 2019 and 2020 and seeing a 500% increase from 2020 to 2021, showcasing its rapidly expanding influence and success in the digital media landscape.
- Somewhere Good
In 2021, Union broadened her investment horizons by backing Somewhere Good, a pioneering social media platform conceived to create a unified online community specifically for black individuals and people of colour. This initiative is aimed at cultivating connections and fostering community engagement. The platform was created by Naj Austen, who is also celebrated for launching Ethel’s Club, a social and workspace app designed to empower communities of color.
Union expressed her support for Somewhere Good, citing her belief in Austen’s vision to craft digital spaces that are both safe and purposeful. “Investing in Somewhere Good aligns with my core values, especially as a black woman and a mother. The importance of having a space where we can comfortably and authentically interact online cannot be overstated,” Union remarked. She shared her enthusiasm about the project’s progress and looked forward to its impact on the community.
Her investment came as part of a collective effort alongside notable figures and entities such as Harrison Barnes of Slauson & Co., NextView Ventures, Ellen Pao, Ashley Mayer, Toyin Ajayi, Jackie Nelson, Lindsay Ullman, Helena Hambrecht, Tina Bou-Saba, Jillian Williams, and 2PM Inc. This group contributed to Somewhere Good’s $3.75 million seed funding round, which aims to further develop a digital space where communities can meaningfully engage and highlight their identities.
- Yumi
Union also invested in Yumi, a forward-thinking startup revolutionising the baby food industry through its unwavering commitment to health and nutrition in 2021. Yumi offers a subscription service that delivers fresh, organic, nutrient-rich baby food directly to families, providing infants and toddlers with an optimal nutritional foundation. Emphasising the use of natural, top-quality ingredients without preservatives or added sugars, Yumi designs its offerings to support the distinct developmental needs of young children.
- First Boulevard
Union also added First Boulevard to her investment portfolio in 2021. First Boulevard is a pioneering digital bank focused on empowering the black community in America. She joined a group of notable investors like John Buttrick of Union Square Ventures and Jamere Jackson, the CFO of AutoZone, highlighting a shared commitment to supporting financial empowerment and inclusivity within the Black community through innovative banking solutions.
- Autumn Adeigbo
Union invested in Autumn Adeigbo in 2022. She was among the early supporters of Autumn Adeigbo, a fashion label celebrated for its dynamic and culturally inspired designs. Alongside notable figures such as Cameron Diaz and Mila Kunis, Union has contributed to a key funding round, playing a pivotal role in amplifying the brand’s stature within the fashion world.
- The Gabrielle Union Collection
Union ventured into the fashion industry through her partnership with New York & Company. Through the partnership, she successfully launched a series of clothing collections that reflect her distinctive style and sharp fashion sensibilities. This collaboration has rolled out an extensive range of apparel, including sophisticated dresses, adaptable pants, and stylish tops, all carefully crafted to cater to a wide audience seeking both elegance and comfort. Known for their dedication to inclusivity, the collections feature a vibrant color palette and contemporary designs that have won praise, firmly establishing themselves among fashion enthusiasts keen to add pieces that carry the signature elegance of a renowned figure.
- Helaina
Also in 2021, Union made a strategic investment in Helaina, a company dedicated to innovating within the infant nutrition space by developing an alternative to breast milk. Helaina is poised to make a substantial impact on the global infant formula market, which was estimated at $50.46 billion in 2019 and is expected to soar to $109.10 billion by 2027. The company’s mission is to provide a product that closely replicates the nutritional composition of human breast milk, thereby catering to a significant segment of the market. This is particularly relevant considering that by the time they reach six months old, approximately 75% of infants are introduced to some form of formula.
- Authorship
Union has left a significant mark on the literary landscape with her captivating and insightful publications. She debuted as an author with the critically acclaimed best-seller, “We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True.” In this memoir, Union offers an unguarded look into her life, traversing a spectrum of subjects from her career in Hollywood to her advocacy work, as well as intimate reflections on marriage and motherhood. Motivated by the success of her first book, Union went on to publish “You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories,” a follow-up memoir that invites readers further into her journey with stories that provoke both laughter and contemplation and, in some instances, tears. Both works have been lauded for their authenticity, wit, and the profound connection they forge with readers, solidifying Union’s place as a distinguished and influential figure in modern literature.
