ISSA RAE
Writer, Actor and Producer
From the YouTube screen to Hollywood motion pictures, Issa Rae has opened a new playing field for Black and Brown creatives in the content creation space. Back in 2011, Rae debuted her YouTube comedy series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, which eventually led her to signing on with HBO and co-creating the multiple award-winning show Insecure. With Insecure, Rae became the first Black woman to create and star in a premium cable series.
In September, she partnered with American Express and United States Black Chambers to promote ByBlack, the first country-wide certification program for Black ownership. In addition, she teamed up with Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen to open a second location in downtown Inglewood, California. Rae has also launched her record label Raedio, and is the co-owner of the natural hair care line Sienna Naturals alongside its founder and CEO, Hannah Diop.
Co-creator and star of HBO series Insecure.
Creating more opportunities for Black and Brown creatives and business owners inside and outside of the entertainment industry.
Digital Communications Manager,
Say Yes to Education, Buffalo
JAMIL CREWS
In his role at Say Yes to Education, Buffalo, Jamil Crews oversees the nonprofit’s marketing and communications department, as well as its Boys and Men of Color Initiative. The owner of Buffalo-based award-winning digital media and consulting agency Crews Control Media helps brands communicate their missions and purpose and connect with a multicultural consumer base. Crews is also a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
TYRANCE BILLINGSLEY II
BLAZING STAR
RISING STAR
Tyrance Billingsley is the founder and executive director of Black Tech Street: an initiative to rebuild Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and transform it into a tech hub for Black entrepreneurs. In establishing Tulsa as a center for the creation of Black wealth and innovation, he hopes to facilitate $1 billion in investments in the local economy.
Launched an initiative to rebuild Black Wall Street and transform it into a Black tech hub.
Rebuilding Black Wall Street through tech.
The marketing executive who specializes
in connecting brands to multicultural consumers.
Working to remove the barriers of educational attainment, workforce participation and economic mobility for students and public charter schools in Buffalo, New York.
Founder and Executive Director,
Black Tech Street