This is a fantastic art show featured at Howard University gallery where some MASTER African American Artists works are collected and viewed by Bank of America.
Many artists take inspiration from their heritage, lifestyle and struggles as seen below.
Kevin Cole who is one of my favourite contemporary artists- check out his website- www.artistkcole.com
Julie Mehrutu another favourite contemporary artist who is from Ethiopia (big up Africa!) and she creates large abstracted scenes of landscapes. 
Romare Bearden (1911-1988) who is known for his beautiful collages depicting various scenes of African American lifestyles.www.beardenfoundation.org
Gordon Parks
Walter Cade III who also depicts many scenes from neighborhoods and lifestyle of New York.
