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Brightest Stars - H.I.S. BET spotlights 30 men 30 and under who are committed to excellence in their local communities and beyond. By Natelege Whaley, Patrice Peck and Melissa Quinones

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Next Up - Through art, activism, sports, fashion, business and technology, these Black men are standing out and showing dedication in the pursuit of their passions.This is the time to be young and ambitious. (Photos from Left: Mike Stobe/Getty Images, Phillip Agnew via Getty Images, Dana Nalbandian/Getty Images for Free The Children)

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Phillip Agnew, 29 - The executive director of the Dream Defenders, Phillip Agnew, 29, leads the youth activism organization that became nationally known after they staged a 31-day protest at the Florida capital. The group was calling for Gov. Rick Scott to hold a special legislative session to reform the nation's "Stand Your Ground" law following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Agnew has been featured on several news outlets discussing the social and economic injustices faced by Black and brown people in society. (Photo: Phillip Agnew via Instagram)

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Lavan Wright, 24 - New York-based artist Lavan Wright, 24, is the creative mind behind "Lone Wolf," a company offering visuals for logo designs, mixtape covers and illustrations. Wright has showcased the versatility of his creations on Instagram, garnering a following of 13,000 followers. Most recently, rapper Nicki Minaj posted a photo of a mural he painted of her and other celebrities and rapper Fabolous rocked a sweatshirt Wright designed in collaboration with clothing company Rocawear. (Photo: Lavan Wright via Instagram)

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Malcolm Livingston II, 28 - Malcolm Livingston II, 28, will soon take his culinary skills to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he will craft desserts at the Noma, where the best sweets in the world are made. Before this foreign exchange, Livingston honed his skills at WD-50 in New York, where he was the head pastry chef for four years until it closed in 2014. The chef started his career at Le Cirque in 2006 and later worked in the kitchen of Per Se. Livingston was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and is a graduate of the culinary program at the Art Institute of New York City. (Photo: WENN)

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Londrelle Hall, 25 - In the wake of Michael Brown's killing, Londrelle Hall, 25, is pushing forth with his own movement #RunforJustice to help in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality in America against people of color. Hall ran from Atlanta to Ferguson in November to call attention to the matter and to raise money to donate to the legal funds of Michael Brown and others killed in police shootings. "I see a revolution on the horizon. No longer will we accept physical and mental confinement," he said in a video he released.(Photo: Londrelle via Instagram)

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Jameis Winston, 20 - You can't talk about college sports without mentioning Jameis Winston. The 2013 Heisman trophy winner led the Florida State Seminoles to clench the BCS National Championship title after an undefeated season. The quarterback is the youngest player to receive the coveted Heisman. Ever the star athlete, he also plays baseball at FSU.  (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Justin Edmund, 24 - The seventh employee at Pinterest, Justin Edmund penned a personal essay that launched a widespread discussion on race and diversity in Silicon Valley. In “Growing Up,” the 24-year-old designer reflects on the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown and the tech industry's silence on the incident, among other things. "I have not seen a single technology leader (besides @jack) acknowledge the crisis in Ferguson,” Edmund wrote. "And why would they bother? At most major technology companies, an average 2% of their workforce is African-Americans — we’re talking tens of people at companies employing thousands of people."(Photo: Courtesy Justin Edmund)

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Christopher Gray, 22 - The hunt for scholarships has gotten easier thanks to Scholly, an app founded by Christopher Gray, 22, who was able to stack up $1.3 million in scholarships. “It took me several months to even find scholarships I wanted to apply for. This [app] is to help students find scholarships they apply for in minutes,” said Gray. Earlier this year, Inc. magazine named the Scholly app one of its coolest college startups. (Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Gray)

Photo By Courtesy of Christopher Gray

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Cory Nieves, 10 - What started as dream to buy his family a car eventually turned 10-year-old Cory Nieves into the CEO of his own cookie empire. Mr. Cory’s Cookies sells up to 1,000 cookies each weekend, with a portion of the earnings going back in to the community. But, the young New Jersey-based mogul is not stopping at baked goods. "[I want to] have my own, like, clothing line, under the brand Mr. Cory,” he told CBS News.(Photo: Mr Cory's Cookies via Instagram)

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Moziah Bridges, 12 - After Moziah Bridges's grandmother taught him how to make bow ties, he began receiving compliments on some of his creations. At the age of 9, he realized he had a knack for style and launched Mo's Bows, creating bow ties in a "variety of colors and prints including ethnic and vintage fabrics," the brand's Facebook page states. Moziah, who lives in Memphis, also gives back. He launched the Go Mo! Summer Camp Scholarship Fund that sends children to local summer camps. (Photo: Mo's Bows Memphis via Facebook)

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Drew-Shane Daniels, 29 - For years, writer Drew-Shane Daniels was hungry for an online publication that spoke to modern Black gay men. He finally took matters into his own hands in 2012, launching MUSED Magazine. Since then, the award-winning digital destination has been featured in a number of media outlets, including The New York Times and Washington Post. MUSED has also served as the backdrop to theses and curriculum at Columbia University, University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and more.(Photo: Drew-Shane Daniels via Twitter)

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Todrick Hall, 29 - American Idol alum-turned-YouTube star Todrick Hall has recently added yet another high profile gig to his impressive career. In October, MTV announced that the 29-year-old will soon be starring in the upcoming docu-series Todrick. “We’re excited to bring Todrick's tenacious energy and multi-dimensional talent to MTV for his first-ever series,” the network said.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Derek Gaines, 30 - Stand up comedian Derek Gaines is also gearing up to debut a new show on MTV. As co-host of the upcoming Broke A$ Game Show, the funny man will hit the streets of New York City convincing unsuspecting contestants to push their personal limits for cash. "We love the hilariously imaginative, unusual games in 'Broke A$,'” said Susanne Daniels, MTV President of Programming. (Photo: Derek Gaines via Instagram)

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Ofo Ezeugwu, 22 - Ofo Ezeugwu, a Baltimore native, is the CEO and founder of WhoseYourLandlord.com, a website that allows college students to share peer-related reviews about housing and rental facilities, a valuable resource for students seeking a landlord they can trust. Ezeugwu tells BET.com his first love is business, but he also has a passion for acting and modeling, working with Wilhelmina Philadelphia and Ramona's Model and Talent in New York City. (Photo: Ofo Ezeugwu via Facebook)

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Chef James “JR” Robinson, 30 - Chef James “JR” Robinson, has prepared meals for the biggest names in entertainment, including T.I., Janelle Monae and Amar’e Stoudemire. His success led him to a stint as a contestant on Fox’s chef competition show Hell’s Kitchen. Before making his television debut, he founded Kitchen Cray, a company specializing in “personal chef” dining experiences and cuisines such as Thai, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Robinson is a model for success, as he has been able to overcome homelessness throughout his life to turn his dreams into reality. (Photo: chef James JR Robinson via Instagram)

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Orlando Watson, 25 - Since 2013, 25-year-old Orlando Watson has been the spokesman and communications director for Black media of the Republican National Committee. He has previously served as the lead for Congressman Paul Gosar’s communications team and was Deputy Press Secretary for Senator Rand Paul. Watson looks to champion diversity in political opinion among Black Americans going forward in his position and believes its “healthy for moving all of us forward,” he told BET.com. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)

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Joseph "JJ" Johnson, 29 - As the chef de cuisine at The Cecil, New York City’s first Afro-Asian-American brasserie, Joseph "JJ” Johnson has garnered major attention and acclaim from critics across the country. Pair Johnson’s sterling resume — which includes critically acclaimed local kitchens like Centro Vinoteca, Jane and Tribeca Grill — with his unique talent for integrating traditional African cuisine and you have a recipe for greatness.(Photo: Joseph "JJ" Johnson via Twitter)

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Les Twins, 25 - Self-taught dancers and identical brothers Les Twins have been on top of the world the past few years dancing alongside superstar entertainer Beyoncé on her most recent On the Run Tour with her husband Jay Z. "Lil Beast" and "Ca Blaze" hail from Sarcelles, Val d'Oise, France, and rose to fame dancing in international competitions. At 6-foot-4, they are also signed to NEXT Model Management in Paris and have walked in Paris Fashion Week. (Photo by Larry Busacca/PW/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment)

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Robby Novak, 10 - Robby Novak became an overnight viral sensation thanks to the motivational Kid President character he portrays. In addition to inspiring dozens of millions of YouTube and television viewers, he has interviewed — and, subsequently, charmed — many influential leaders, including President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. This year, the Hub network premiered the first season of Kid President: A Declaration of Awesome.(Photo: Dana Nalbandian/Getty Images for Free The Children)

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Torey Thornton, 23 - Brooklyn-based Torey Thornton, 23, is on the rise as one of the top artists in his generation. The illustrator has held solo exhibitions in New York City, Paris, Los Angeles and one coming up in 2015. Thornton has also been part of numerous group exhibitions across several cities since 2012. His beautiful pieces on acrylic, collage and graphite stand out in the art world. In 2014, Forbes magazine listed him among the 2014 30 Under 30 in Art & Style. (Photo: Torey Thornton via Twitter)

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Jabari Parker, 19 - Before he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the second-overall draft pick in June, Jabari Parker, 19, had already earned himself an overwhelming number of career highlights, including the ACC Rookie of the Week title a record 10 times and the Integris Wayman Tisdale Award, which honors the top freshman player in the nation. Given his massive size, wide range and quick speed, Parker has all the necessary signs of an NBA star in the making.(Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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Olivier Rousteing, 28 - At only 25, French-born Olivier Rousteing became the creative director of Balmain, a haute couture French fashion brand founded in 1914. Before taking the reins at Balmain, he was a designer at high-end fashion house Roberto Cavalli. In July 2014, he made a huge statement on diversity in high fashion with his fall campaign featuring models of many shades, including Ysaunny Brito, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn, Issa Lish and Kayla Scott. He told WWD that as “a black boy in a really important French house” it was important for him to celebrate the “beauty of different ethnicities.”(Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)

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Darrell Wallace Jr., 21 - Darrell Wallace Jr. is the first African-American to win the NASCAR national series since 1963. He then joined the cast of FOX Sports Crowd Goes Wild. Wallace Jr. started driving when he was nine years old in racing events such as Bandolero and Legends car racing series and other local events. In 2008, he became the youngest driver to win the Franklin County Speedway in Virginia. Wallace Jr. started his NASCAR career in 2010 in their developmental series for their Drive for Diversity program where he later left his mark. (Photo: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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Anthony Frasier, 28 - What do hip hop and startups have in common? Plenty, according to Anthony Frasier. He and co-founder James Lopez launched The Phat Startup to educate entrepreneurs through the hustle-and-grind values of hip hop. “There’s a lot of hustle involved in hip hop and a lot of energy,” Frasier, 28, told BET.com. "That same energy can be used when you are trying to build your business."(Photo: Courtesy of Anthony Frasier)

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Alaxic Smith, 19 - Alaxic Smith, 19, the founder of Communly, where members gather around their interests in communities, has positioned himself to be the next name buzzing in the technology world. Smith first began coding in middle school and founded his first social-networking site, SwiftSharing, as a freshman in high school in Texas. At 16, after traveling back and forth between his hometown and San Francisco to pitch his ideas, he eventually dropped out to build his ideas full-time. Recently, he has been gaining leverage with Communly by hosting "Back and Forth" conversations between artists Tank, Kevin McCall, Trevor Jackson and their fans through the platform. (Photo: Courtesy of Alaxic Smith)

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Shaun Ross, 23 - Shaun Ross is a young, edgy African-American albino model that captured the eyes of the fashion world. Ross appeared in Beyoncé’s video for “Pretty Hurts” and had a starring role in Lana Del Rey’s video for “Tropico.” After creating his platform for celebrating different types of beauty, Ross began to raise awareness to diversity. He was also the inspiration behind the painting “Visible Man” by Jerome Lagarrigue. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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Andrew Wiggins, 19 - Andrew Wiggins, 19, made history in early 2014 for being the second Canadian basketball player to be drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA. The 6-foot-8 small forward and shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves played one year for the University of Kansas before going professional. He was named Freshman of the Year of the Big 12 in 2014. Fans will be watching to see how the fast-track athlete will play on the court his rookie season. (Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Daniel Maree, 26 - Following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Daniel Maree, 26, organized the Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, that led protests nationally and collected more than 2 million signatures to look for a Change.org petition that called for Sanford, Florida, police to arrest George Zimmerman. The group continues to inform and empower young people with the tools to necessary to protect themselves against police brutality. (Photo: Daniel Maree via Twitter)

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Tristan Walker, 30 - Success continues to follow entrepreneur Tristan Walker, 30, the founder of Bevel, a line of shaving products geared toward African-American men. The former director of business development at Foursquare raised a total of $6.9 million in early-round funding from several investors this past year. Rapper Nas is one of the bigger names backing Walker’s company. Walker plans to partner with barbershops and shaving stores to provide educational materials for African-Americans on how to shave.(Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Brett Hundley, 21 - UCLA dual-threat quarterback Brett Hundley has been praised by analysts for his strong arm, smooth change of direction and natural leadership skills. The redshirt junior has posted back-to-back record-setting years while playing for the Bruins, becoming the first player to throw at least 300 yards in three straight games. It comes as no surprise that the 21-year-old athlete is reportedly “a lock” to sign with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for marketing representation, according to Forbes.(Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

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Amari Cooper, 20  - Amari Cooper is quickly emerging as one of the NFL’s top receivers for the 2015 draft prospects. Cooper’s career started on a high note in 2012 at the University of Alabama. During his freshman year in college, he had 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the start of this year’s college football season, he is off to a great start with 43 catches and 655 receiving yards leading the Football Bowl Subdivision, and Cooper has topped his touchdown total from last year.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)