As the world of media continues to shift, ebb and flow, so, too, have the ways in which people find, consume and share information – from podcasts, documentary films and radio shows, to morning, cable and late-night television, books and newsletters, to name a few. For those who gather and provide the information, the goal is to identify the needs of their audience, while keeping them informed, engaged and even, inspired.
Whether guiding a beloved cable network into a new era like BET president and Advertising Hall of Fame inductee Louis Carr, dropping social commentary on stage and the small screen like five-time Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Josh Johnson, leading a thriving online community like Complex’s multi-faceted editor-in-chief Aria Hughes, or expanding one’s reach via podcasting like MS NOW anchors and Clock It co-hosts Symone Sanders-Townsend and Eugene Daniels, Higher Learning co-hosts Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, and The Jason Lee Show host and CEO of Hollywood Unlocked Jason Lee, being agile is key, as is staying in tune with the fast-paced, ever-changing pulse of culture.
When it comes to breaking news and conducting timely interviews about politics, race, history and entertainment, NPR’s Fresh Air co-host and Emmy and Webby winner Tonya Mosley, Emmy-winning CNN anchor and correspondent Omar Jiminez, and three-time Webby Award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker, Garrison Hayes, have earned their positions as trusted sources, along with Sheinelle Jones, who, in addition to co-hosting Today with Jenna & Sheinelle each weekday morning, became a #1 New York Times bestselling author last spring.
Throughout the past year, these twelve luminaries have been showing up and putting in the work. Stated simply, when they speak, audiences tune in…and listen, which is no small feat. And for that, they are deserving of recognition.