EBONY Unveils Transformative 2025 Power 100 List, Celebrating 80 Years as the Defining Voice of Black Excellence

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As EBONY celebrates its eighth decade, the reveal of this year's Power 100 list underscores a renewed direction for the brand: one rooted in cultural excellence, unapologetically amplifying the Black experience, and celebrating those whose achievements not only break barriers but also define what is possible. From business and STEM to sports, activism, media, and music, the list affirms EBONY's role as the definitive voice for the Black community, illuminating the past, honoring the present, and shaping the future. This year carries special significance as EBONY looks ahead, using the Power 100 list as both a reflection of its legacy and a declarative statement for the future it will continue to lead.

The unveiling culminates in the 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala on November 4 in Los Angeles, a landmark event that crowns EBONY's 80th year-long celebration. More than an annual tradition, the gala stands as the marquee celebration of Black excellence, a night where trailblazers and icons come together to embody EBONY's legacy and reflect the brilliance of what the future holds as EBONY continues to drive culture and champion the Black experience on a global stage.

"The Power 100 is more than a list; it is a blueprint," says EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman. "EBONY has always been the heartbeat of Black culture, but as we step into our next decade, we are expanding what that means for a new generation. We are building platforms, stories, and opportunities that move Black culture forward globally. These honorees represent the future leaders who are innovating, creating, and reimagining what's possible. EBONY will continue to be the space where that brilliance is not only seen but amplified to inspire the world."

This year's list highlights extraordinary leaders across 10 categories including Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, Sterling K. Brown, Tony Award-winning actress Kara Young, Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Zaire Franklin, Ego Nwodim, Creator & Activist RaeShanda Lias, Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra N. Mawakana, Bubba Wallace, Blue Ivy Carter, and many others who exemplify EBONY's commitment to cultural excellence.

The full 2025 Power 100 list of honorees can be found at EBONY.com by clicking here.

• Artists in Residence: Visionaries reshaping the cultural landscape through groundbreaking artistic expression
  • Derrick Adams, Multidisciplinary Artist
  • Skyler Grey, Street Artist
  • Monique Rodriguez, Author
  • Alicia Graf Mack, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre
  • Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director, National Black Theatre
• Business Disruptors: Innovators transforming industries and creating new economic opportunities
  • Kimberly Blackwell, Founder & CEO, PMM/ExcelerateHER
  • Yunice Emir, Head of Corporate Communications, Moët Hennessy
  • Marchoe Northern, President of North American Fabric Care, Procter & Gamble
  • Omar Goff, President, Mielle Organics
  • Everette Taylor, CEO, Kickstarter
• Community Crusaders presented by Nationwide: Champions driving social change and community empowerment
  • Brandon Scott, Brandon Johnson, & Randall Woodfin, Mayors of Baltimore, Chicago, and Birmingham, respectively
  • Jotaka Eaddy, Founder & CEO of Full Circle Strategies, LLC, Founder of #WinWithBlackWomen
  • Brian Baccus, Jamal Smith, & Antoinette "Toni" Raines, Advocates & Co-Hosts of Altadena Talks
  • Diedra Porché, Managing Director, National Head of Community and Business Development, Consumer Banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Tony Waller, Vice President of Constituent Relations and Racial Equity, Walmart
• Entertainment Powerhouses: Cultural catalysts defining the future of media and entertainment
  • Aaron Pierre, Actor
  • Traci Blackwell, Head of Targeted Content, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios
  • Wunmi Mosaku, Actress & Activist
  • Mara Brock Akil, Director, Writer, & Producer
  • Aldis Hodge, Actor & Producer
• Generation Next: Rising stars under 40 breaking barriers and setting new standards
  • Natalia Bryant, Board Member, Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation
  • Miles Caton, Singer & Actor
  • Jakian Parks, CEO/Founder/Philanthropist, Oklahoma Cowboys
  • JayDon, Singer
  • Golloria George, Beauty Content Creator
• Influential Creators: Digital pioneers shaping conversations and building communities
  • Sam Boakye, Founder/Creative Director
  • Lynae Vanee, Digital Content Creator
  • Blakely Thornton, Digital Content Creator
  • King Willonius, Digital Content Creator
  • James Jeter, Creative Director, Design & Brand Direction, Ralph Lauren
• Leaders In Sports: Athletes and executives transforming the world of sports
  • Carmelo Anthony, Former NBA player/2025 Hall of Famer/Founder, STAYME7O/ Grand National
  • Claressa Shields, 2x Gold Medalist and Boxing World Champion
  • Nigel Sylvester, BMX Athlete, The Nigel Sylvester Foundation
  •  Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters
  • Jaia Thomas, Founder, Diverse Representation
• Media Mavens: Thought leaders revolutionizing how stories are told and shared
  • Leah Anise, Consumer Communications Lead, OpenAI
  • Chris "Speedy" Morman, Correspondent at COMPLEX
  • Recho Omondi, Hosts/Founder of The Cutting Room Floor podcast
  • Philip Lewis, Journalist, What I'm Reading /HuffPost
  • Scott Evans, Journalist, House Guest
• Music Innovators: Artists and executives pushing musical boundaries
  • Leon Thomas III, Singer/ Musician/ Songwriter
  • Terrell Grice, Singer/ Host
  • Shiona Turini, Costume Designer, The Cowboy Carter Tour
  • Cleo Sol, Singer
  • Gunna, Rapper
• STEM Trailblazers presented by United Airlines: Pioneers advancing technology and scientific innovation
  • Theresa Claiborne, Captain (Ret.), United Airlines
  • Tekedra N. Mawakana, Co-CEO, Waymo
  • Jordan Taylor, Co-Founder I CEO, Vizcom AI
  • Miles Braxton, CEO & Founder, Okovate
  • Gloria Washington, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Howard University

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About EBONY
For 80 years, EBONY has stood as the defining voice of the Black American experience and remains the most influential Black-owned media company in the world. With a legacy rooted in chronicling cultural excellence and achievement, EBONY has expanded into a global multi-media brand—spanning EBONY, EBONY Studios, and JET—with an unshakable mission to Move Black Forward.

As EBONY celebrates its 80th Anniversary, it continues to illuminate the Black perspective, celebrate Black innovation, and serve as the ultimate curator of culture—past, present, and future.

EBONY Media Group is a division of 1145 Holdings, LLC.

SOURCE EBONY Media Group