Issa Rae

Issa Rae first gained widespread recognition with her groundbreaking YouTube web series, Awkward Black Girl, which premiered in 2011. Rae wrote, produced, and starred in the series, which resonated deeply with audiences and garnered significant mainstream media coverage, ultimately earning a Shorty Award for Best Web Show in 2013. The success of Awkward Black Girl led to a partnership with Pharrell Williams for its second season, establishing Rae as a formidable creative force. Building on this momentum, Rae co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the critically acclaimed HBO comedy series Insecure, which aired from 2016 to 2021.

In 2020, solidifying her commitment to empowering diverse voices in media, Rae founded her production company, Hoorae Media, through which she has executive produced acclaimed series such as A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019–2022) and Rap Sh!t (2022–2023). Most recently in 2023, Rae delivered critically acclaimed performances in the box office hit Barbie and the Oscar-winning film American Fiction. Her profound impact on the entertainment industry has been recognized by her inclusion in the Time 100 list of most influential people in both 2018 and 2022. Further testament to her influence, Rae received the Peabody Trailblazer Award and the Producers Guild of America Visionary Award, both in 2022, underscoring her role as a leader and innovator in storytelling.