Young tastemakers push the culture forward across the educational, creative, and digital spectrum. EBONY’s Power 100 Generation Next recognizes the new vanguard of under-25 interdisciplinary creators and trailblazers innovating in their respective industries. Beyond just being up next, these incubators of change set the pace and tempo for the future of innovation and cultivation, transcending their individual niches.
From beauty founders revolutionizing the skincare industry with products designed for the beauty world’s smallest fans to young activists changing the way social media interacts with advocacy through gift-giving charities, this generation of creators and cultivators is shaping a new era of Black culture and society.
These movers and shakers are visionaries. They’re actively setting the bar for the future of Black excellence in all its forms. Our 2026 Generation Next honorees exemplify the best and brightest rising stars in their respective fields.
Whether they are child reality TV stars who turned their experiences into a New York Times bestselling book, or internet personalities who have bested the algorithms of several social media personalities and worked their way into our hearts in the process: Niches do not cage these honorees in. Instead, they have alchemized the art of iteration, a fresh reminder that Black excellence exists and thrives in multitudes.
This looks like STEM innovators changing the way we breathe, Mensa members breaking down complex science topics for viewers of all ages, and young voice actresses defining the next generation of children’s programming. Even established product categories like shoelaces are being innovated upon to great results. Making shoelaces more efficient than previously thought possible? It’s simply genius.
These creators are proof of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity and said opportunity just so happens to occur quite early in life.
You’re never too young to be an industry disruptor, and this lineup of young creators is proof. Check out the full list of this year’s honorees in Generation Next and beyond!