Most Powerful Black Celebrities 2006

Oprah Winfrey has dropped from the top position this year to No.3. Also appearing on the list for the first time is Muhammad Ali. The boxing legend sold the rights to his name and image this year for $50 million to licensing mastermind Robert Sillerman, chief executive of CKX. The three-time heavyweight champ will retain a 20% interest in the business. Ali's name has generated between $4 million and $7 million annually over the past five years, largely through endorsement deals. Tom Cruise returns to the No. 1 position on the Forbes Power 100, a post he held five years ago, thanks to a combination of his awesome earnings from "War of the Worlds" and the media onslaught following his pairing with actress Katie Holmes.

Blacks on this years list include;

1. Oprah Winfrey, Celebrity 100 Rank #3, Pay $225 million
2. Tiger Woods, Celebrity 100 Rank #5, Pay $90 million
3. 50 Cent, Celebrity 100 Rank #8, Pay $41 million
4. Muhammad Ali, Celebrity 100 Rank #25, Pay $31 million
5. Kobe Bryant, Celebrity 100 Rank #3, Pay $225 million
6. Michael Jordan, Celebrity 100 Rank #26, Pay $32 million
7. Denzel Washington, Celebrity 100 Rank #33, Pay $38 million
8. Shaquille O'Neal, Celebrity 100 Rank #41, Pay $30 million
9. LeBron James, Celebrity 100 Rank #46, Pay $26 million
10. Ronaldinho, Celebrity 100 Rank #53, Pay $26 million
11. Halle Berry, Celebrity 100 Rank #65, Pay $16 million
12. Sean (Diddy) Combs, Celebrity 100 Rank #79, Pay $16 million
13. Dave Chappelle, Celebrity 100 Rank #82, Pay $22 million
14. Tyra Banks, Celebrity 100 Rank #84, Pay $18 million
15. Serena Williams, Celebrity 100 Rank #87, Pay $10 million
16. Venus Williams, Celebrity 100 Rank #90, Pay $7 million
17. Nicole Richie, Celebrity 100 Rank #95, Pay $2 million