(Photo: Courtesy of Ebony Magazine)

From reality TV star to sitcom actress NeNe Leakes has branched out beautifully from her Real Housewives of Atlanta roots, and for that Ebony has decided to feature her on its cover of the December/January issue dedicated to its Power 100 list. Leakes parlayed her exposure on RHOA into a shoe line with ShoeDazzle, a recurring role on Glee and now a permanent spot on the new sitcom The New Normal. 

BET's CEO Debra Lee is also being honored for her influential work. 
"The Ebony Power 100 spotlights African-Americans who personify 'power' in all its manifestations — strength, focus, commitment and determination — those who innovate, elevate and shape the world in new and different ways," the magazine states. "Ebony Power 100's 21 categories include 'The Anointed,' 'The Environmentalists,' 'The Powerbrokers,' 'The Thought Leaders' and 'The Young Gifted & Black.'"
Others on the Power 100 list include Cam Newton, Cee Lo Green, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Beyoncé Knowles, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Lebron James, Kerry Washington, Joan Smalls, Kevin Durant, Shonda Rhimes, Oprah, Toni Morrison, Wendy Williams, Steve Harvey, Robin Roberts and Tyler Perry.
The 2012 Power 100 list in the December/January issue of Ebony will hit newsstands the week of November 5.
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