The BET 100 Entertainers And Innovators Of The Year | The Creatives

See who superseded our expectations.

1619 - Narrated by The New York Times Magazine staff writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, 1619 is a vivid account of what life looked like to the enslaved Africans brought to the English colony of Virginia some 400 years ago. While Hannah-Jones shares her own family’s journey on the audio series, it is complemented by the storytelling of the horrors of the cotton-picking industry, the division of families, and much more. Although some historians have objected to this podcast and its contents, several schools will now update their curriculum to include the poignant material. We celebrate Hannah-Jones for sharing our stories—American stories—with the world. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Peabody Awards )
Emmanuel Acho - The former NFL football player popped up on the scene this summer with his YouTube series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. He gets real with everyone from interracial couples to police officers, and tackles topics such as systemic racism, defunding the police, white privilege, and “Karens” who weaponize their whiteness. These difficult discussions caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey and landed Emmanuel Acho on her Apple TV+ series: The Oprah Conversation, where they talked about racism in America, and more. Acho recently released his debut book, titled after the series, which made the coveted The New York Times best seller list. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images for SXSW)
Trevor Noah - The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has been making the most of 2020. He was listed in Fortune’s 2020 40 Under 40 media and entertainment lineup in September. And if that wasn’t enough, after reworking his The New York Times best seller Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood for a younger audience, It’s Trevor Noah: Born A Crime was named Book of the Year in the children’s category for the SA Book Awards and most recently, he was named as the host of the 2021 Grammy Awards. The 36-year-old author and comedian continues to use his voice to sound off against the damning, long-term effects of apartheid. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Janet Mock - She is a powerhouse in every way, shape, and form imaginable. As a director, producer, author, and transgender rights activist, Janet Mock is not only brilliant, she’s beautiful, and a breath of fresh air. Earlier this year, she received the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. She was also listed as one of the 50 Most Powerful LGBTQ Players in Hollywood by the Hollywood Reporter. Her dedication to ensuring transgender women of color are represented on the FX network show, Pose, and her work to expose racism, homophobia, and sexism in the Netflx drama Hollywood make her the ultimate shero. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)Leatrice “Elle” McKinney - Her fans know her as L.L. McKinney. Recently named one of the most influential African Americans in 2020 by The Root, the author and equality advocate didn’t let a worldwide pandemic stop her from co-creating the virtual 2020 Juneteenth Book Festival, which highlighted nearly 40 Black authors and their work. McKinney also brought to light the pay disparities between Black and non-Black authors when she started the #PublishingPaidMe hashtag on Twitter. A champion of her people, McKinney personifies Black Girl Magic. (Photo courtesy of Twitter)

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Emmanuel Acho - The former NFL football player popped up on the scene this summer with his YouTube series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. He gets real with everyone from interracial couples to police officers, and tackles topics such as systemic racism, defunding the police, white privilege, and “Karens” who weaponize their whiteness. These difficult discussions caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey and landed Emmanuel Acho on her Apple TV+ series: The Oprah Conversation, where they talked about racism in America, and more. Acho recently released his debut book, titled after the series, which made the coveted The New York Times best seller list. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images for SXSW)

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