Culture
Shifters
MMXXIII
Credits
This is Culture Shifters, HuffPost’s annual list of artists, activists, entertainers and entrepreneurs who are shaping today’s culture — and changing the way we think about the world around us.
2023 marks our fourth year highlighting creatives and change-makers. We’ve watched Quinta Brunson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s stars rise. We’ve seen Nicco Annan, Rhoyle Ivy King and Alika Tengan help others feel seen on screen. Alex Aster, Drew Afualo and Keyon Elkins have leveraged their personalities and passions to build communities online.
This year’s list is full of standouts, too. In these profiles, you’ll find fearless leaders who are doing the work to make change, adding levity to our day-to-day lives and inspiring others to do the same.
Keep coming back to see who else we add to the list in 2023.
Project Manager & Editor
Head of Visuals
Art Directors
Senior Photo Editors
Reporters
Copy Editors
Photographers
Audience
Erin E. Evans
Christy Havranek
Benjamin Currie, Jianan Liu
Damon Scheleur, Chris McGonigal
Erin E. Evans, William E. Ketchum III, Christopher A. Daniel, Marina Fang, Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Kristian Fanene Schmidt, Yue Li, Kellee Terrell, Sean Migalla
Jillian Capewell, Layne Flower, Mark Lebetkin, Bobbi Olson, Shonitria Anthony, Dirce Toca, Elise Foley, Sara Bondioli
Kreshonna Keane, Gioncarlo Valentine, Elias Williams, Heather Ainsworth, Tracy Nguyen, Nīa MacKnight, Rhiannon Adam, Sharon Chischilly, Taylor Glascock, Tara Pixley, Chloe Aftel
Cambria Roth, Abigail Williams, Danielle Datu
Polly Irungu
Years ago, photographer Polly Irungu wanted to build a community of Black women photographers so they could help each other navigate the publishing industry. Today, the organization is more than just that. It has become a lifeline for Black creatives who want to show the world what they can do.
With “More Black Superheroes,” Westside Boogie lays bare his trauma and life experiences with intensely vulnerable lyrics. The Compton native is one of the most insightful young rappers in the game and has found ways to heal on and off his records.
Written by William E. Ketchum III
Westside Boogie
At 27, Jordan E. Cooper became the youngest Black American playwright in Broadway history with his debut “Ain’t No Mo’.” The writer-performer-creator is barreling ahead in the TV industry, too, with the third season of his Emmy-nominated sitcom, “The Ms. Pat Show,” streaming now.
Written by Christopher A. Daniel
Cooper
Jordan E. Cooper
Photography by Kreshonna Keane
Photography by Gioncarlo Valentine
Photography by Elias Williams
2022:
Meet Nicco Annan, Drew Afualo, Ani Liu, Maya Cade and other Culture Shifters from last year.
2021:
Meet Joshua Kissi, Sydney Freeland,
Da'Vine Joy Randolph and other 2021 Culture Shifters.
2020:
Our inaugural Culture Shifters list, including Kelvin Harrison Jr., Bad Brown Aunties and Papi Juice.
Written by Erin E. Evans
Erica Tremblay, the writer-director of “Fancy Dance” and “Reservation Dogs,” hopes her projects help the Indigenous community feel seen and represented. It's time for Native stories to be centered instead of relegated to the sidelines, she says.
Photography by Heather Ainsworth
Written by Marina Fang
Erica Tremblay
Sean Bankhead has worked with Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X and Katy Perry to choreograph iconic music videos and unforgettable performances. He gained notoriety on YouTube, but his immense talent has always been destined for the biggest stages.
Photography by Tracy Nguyen
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Sean Bankhead
Sean Bankhead has worked with Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X and Katy Perry to choreograph iconic music videos and unforgettable performances. He gained notoriety on YouTube, but his immense talent has always been destined for the biggest stages.
Photography by Tracy Nguyen
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Sean Bankhead
Sean Bankhead has worked with Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X and Katy Perry to choreograph iconic music videos and unforgettable performances. He gained notoriety on YouTube, but his immense talent has always been destined for the biggest stages.
Photography by Tracy Nguyen
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Cooper
Sean Bankhead
Madison Hammond is the first Native American player in the National Women's Soccer League. After making history, the 25-year-old defender for Angel City FC is ready to keep representing young athletes of color — and show everyone what it means to win on and off the field.
Photography by Nīa MacKnight
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Madison Hammond
Madison Hammond is the first Native American player in the National Women's Soccer League. After making history, the 25-year-old defender for Angel City FC is ready to keep representing young athletes of color — and show everyone what it means to win on and off the field.
Photography by Nīa MacKnight
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Erica
Tremblay
Madison Hammond is the first Native American player in the National Women's Soccer League. After making history, the 25-year-old defender for Angel City FC is ready to keep representing young athletes of color — and show everyone what it means to win on and off the field.
Photography by Nīa MacKnight
Written by Ruth Etiesit Samuel
Madison
Hammond
Erica Tremblay, the writer-director of “Fancy Dance” and “Reservation Dogs,” hopes her projects help the Indigenous community feel seen and represented. It's time for Native stories to be centered instead of relegated to the sidelines, she says.
Photography by Heather Ainsworth
Written by Marina Fang
Erica
Tremblay
Jenny Lam, a 35-year-old artist and curator in Chicago, has a mission to make art accessible for everyone. With her platform, Artists on the Lam, she is amplifying the voices of Asian-American artists through her interactive and collaborative projects.
Photography by Taylor Glascock
Written by Yue Li
Jenny Lam
Filmmaker Kymon Greyhorse — whose short film "I Am Home" screened at Sundance this year — is tapping into his Navajo and Tongan traditions to make beautiful cinema. At just 23, the two-spirit director and screenwriter is already reimagining what the future of cinema looks like — with more storytellers like him getting to share their own art on bigger stages.
Photography by Sharon Chischilly
Written by Kristian Fanene Schmidt
Kymon
Greyhorse
Nida Manzoor, who created the hilarious sitcom "We Are Lady Parts," is having a moment. In her work, she showcases Muslim women and girls having big fun and expressing joy, making audiences literally laugh out loud. Her upcoming film "Polite Society" will likely capture audiences' hearts, too, with its fun, bold approach to blending a heist comedy with a coming-of-age story.
Photography by Rhiannon Adam
Written by Marina Fang
Nida Manzoor
Nida Manzoor, who created the hilarious sitcom "We Are Lady Parts," is having a moment. In her work, she showcases Muslim women and girls having big fun and expressing joy, making audiences literally laugh out loud. Her upcoming film "Polite Society" will likely capture audiences' hearts, too, with its fun, bold approach to blending a heist comedy with a coming-of-age story.
Photography by Rhiannon Adam
Written by Ruth Marina Fang
Nida
Manzoor
Filmmaker Kymon Greyhorse — whose short film "I Am Home" screened at Sundance this year — is tapping into his Navajo and Tongan traditions to make beautiful cinema. At just 23, the two-spirit director and screenwriter is already reimagining what the future of cinema looks like — with more storytellers like him getting to share their own art on bigger stages.
Photography by Sharon Chischilly
Written by Kristian Fanene Schmidt
Kymon Greyhorse
Filmmaker Kymon Greyhorse — whose short film "I Am Home" screened at Sundance this year — is tapping into his Navajo and Tongan traditions to make beautiful cinema. At just 23, the two-spirit director and screenwriter is already reimagining what the future of cinema looks like — with more storytellers like him getting to share their own art on bigger stages.
Photography by Sharon Chischilly
Written by Kristian Fanene Schmidt
Kymon
Greyhorse
Nida Manzoor, who created the hilarious sitcom "We Are Lady Parts," is having a moment. In her work, she showcases Muslim women and girls having big fun and expressing joy, making audiences literally laugh out loud. Her upcoming film "Polite Society" will likely capture audiences' hearts, too, with its fun, bold approach to blending a heist comedy with a coming-of-age story.
Photography by Rhiannon Adam
Written by Marina Fang
Nida
Manzoor
In their memoir, “We See Each Other,” Tre’vell Anderson tells the history of transgender representation as it collides with their own “nonbinary and trans bad bitchery” journey. It’s vulnerable, analytical and challenges us to learn more in hopes of doing better.
Photography by Tara Pixley
Written by Kellee Terrell
Tre'vell Anderson
In their memoir, “We See Each Other,” Tre’vell Anderson tells the history of transgender representation as it collides with their own “nonbinary and trans bad bitchery” journey. It’s vulnerable, analytical and challenges us to learn more in hopes of doing better.
Photography by Tara Pixley
Written by Kellee Terrell
Tre'vell
Anderson
In their memoir, “We See Each Other,” Tre’vell Anderson tells the history of transgender representation as it collides with their own “nonbinary and trans bad bitchery” journey. It’s vulnerable, analytical and challenges us to learn more in hopes of doing better.
Photography by Tara Pixley
Written by Kellee Terrell
Tre'vell
Anderson
Nina G. understands how important it is to share her perspective as a comedian with a disability. She’s erasing the negative stereotypes often associated with people who stutter — one joke at a time.
Photography by Chloe Aftel
Written by Sean Migalla
Nina G.
Nina G. understands how important it is to share her perspective as a comedian with a disability. She’s erasing the negative stereotypes often associated with people who stutter — one joke at a time.
Photography by Chloe Aftel
Written by Sean Migalla
Nina G.
Nina G. understands how important it is to share her perspective as a comedian with a disability. She’s erasing the negative stereotypes often associated with people who stutter — one joke at a time.
Photography by Chloe Aftel
Written by Sean Migalla
Nina G.