CelebList
Angela Davis

Is Angela Davis A-List?

NoB

NoAngela Davis is currently ranked B tier — a well-known figure with a strong career but not quite a household name.

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Ranking Timeline

1969D$0.05M

Fired from UCLA

Dismissed from her teaching position at UCLA due to her membership in the Communist Party. The firing sparked national controversy and legal battles over academic freedom.

1970C$0.1M+$0.05M

FBI Most Wanted and Arrest

Placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for alleged involvement in a courthouse shooting, then arrested after two months underground. Her case became an international cause célèbre, with 'Free Angela' campaigns worldwide.

1972B$0.2M+$0.1M

Acquitted of All Charges

Found not guilty on all charges after a high-profile trial. Her acquittal was celebrated by supporters globally and solidified her status as a symbol of resistance.

1980B$0.5M+$0.3M

Vice Presidential Candidate

Ran as the Communist Party USA vice presidential candidate, advocating for social justice and civil rights. The campaign raised her national profile despite minimal electoral success.

1991B$1M+$0.5M

UC Santa Cruz Professorship

Appointed professor at UC Santa Cruz, teaching feminist studies and history of consciousness. Her academic position allowed her to influence generations of students and scholars.

2008B$1.5M+$0.5M

Retirement and Continued Activism

Retired from teaching but remained highly active as a speaker, author, and activist against mass incarceration. Her work on prison abolition gained renewed attention during criminal justice reform movements.

2026B$2M+$0.5M

Iconic Scholar-Activist at 82

Remains a revered figure in social justice movements, speaking at major events and inspiring new generations of activists. She is well-known and respected globally, though primarily within progressive and academic circles.

Last updated: February 25, 2026