This article lists the winners and nominees for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.

The award recognizes an actor or actress who delivers an outstanding performance in a leading role within the given eligible period.

[1] The award was first presented at the 24th Annual Black Reel Awards as a result of a merger between the Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress awards into a single gender-neutral award, with a total of ten nominees being selected.

Jeffrey Wright is the inaugural winner for his performance in American Fiction, for which he was also nominated at the Academy Awards.