Bethann Hardison
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AF Cortés
AF
Cortés
Cortés
Month: July 2025
A.F. Cortés is the founder of NEUPLOT, a Brooklyn-based content studio bridging music, film, and brand storytelling. Known for his emotionally driven visual style, Cortés has led award-winning work for clients like Google and Chevrolet, while collaborating with underground legends and labels such as Sub Pop, Ipecac and Sacred Bones.
He is the creator and showrunner of KID PAMBELÉ, an 80-episode scripted drama based on the life of boxing icon Antonio Cervantes, and previously directed the fashion and culture series MANIFESTO! for Turner Television. Earlier in his career, he cofounded The Vox Collective, one of the top multicultural ad agencies in the U.S.
Cortés is a four-time nominee for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards — the most nominated artist in the award’s history — and has been recognized by American Photography (AIAP), the ADC Awards, and The One Show. He has been featured on the covers of magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and his photography has appeared in editorial features for Rolling Stone, Creem, Revolver, among others. He directed many music videos that bridge underground music and cinematic storytelling. He is currently producing and directing a feature documentary film on Brooklyn’s underground music scene and expanding NEUPLOT’s European presence.


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Godfrey
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Charlamagne Tha God
Charlamagne
Tha God
Tha God
Month: July 2025
Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey is an entertainment mogul known as one of the most authentic voices in media. As a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author, in-demand TV personality, and producer, he is a singular shaper of culture.
An innovator in audio, he is the co-host of iHeartMedia’s The Breakfast Club morning show, which drives millions of listeners and viewers daily. Charlamagne expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect Podcast Network, home to multiple chart-topping podcasts and the first podcast network built explicitly for Black listeners.
Alongside Kevin Hart, he is also the executive producer of scripted podcasts like Brokedown Prophets, Finding Tamika, Unleash for Love, and Summer of ‘85, which have won an Audie, Webby, and the prestigious duPont award. He is also the co-creator and host of the popular podcast The Brilliant Idiots with comedian Andrew Schulz. He recently launched the political podcast network Reasoned Choice Media alongside Angela Rye and Chris Morrow. The network’s debut show is the chart topping Native Land Podcast featuring Rye, Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillium. The Hollywood Reporter recently named him one of podcasting’s most powerful executives.
Recently seen on the cover of Variety, Charlamagne is the author of The New York Times Best Seller Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and best-sellers: Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me, and Get Honest or Die Lying. He has also partnered with Simon & Schuster Publishing for his imprint Black Privilege Publishing, which his home to New York Times best-sellers including Uncommon Favor by Dawn Staley and No Holes Barred by authors Mandii B and Weezy WTF.
Charlamagne is an Emmy-winning producer through his production company, CThaGod World and has hosted several network TV programs and appears as a frequent correspondent on The Daily Show. Most recently, he teamed up with producer Basil Iwanyk to launch Southland Stories, a production company focusing on Southern voices.
Acting on his passion for mental health awareness, Charlamagne founded the Mental Wealth Alliance. The foundation works to destigmatize mental health in the Black community by expanding the pool of professionals in the health and wellness space. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Food Bank for New York City.


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Tanyka Renee Henry
Tanyka Renee
Henry
Henry
Month: July 2025
Tanyka Renee Henry is a global brand strategist, cultural innovator, and tech advocate, shaping the future at the intersection of culture, technology, and commerce. As the founder of AI to the World, she is dedicated to democratizing artificial intelligence while safeguarding Black and Brown identities, intellectual property, and likeness. Her mission is to ensure underrepresented communities have access to ethical, inclusive innovation that protects cultural integrity and drives economic power.
With over a decade of experience in brand strategy and content creation, Tanyka has collaborated with world-leading companies, including Google, Canva, Delta Air Lines, Amazon, and American Express, to develop campaigns that inspire engagement and cultural impact. A dynamic entrepreneur and travel creator who has explored 111 countries, she also leads Trips by Renee, curating immersive experiences that celebrate cultural heritage and economic empowerment. Tanyka believes that Black and Brown creators must tell Black and Brown stories and culture to ensure authenticity and ownership.


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Daniel Porter
Daniel
Porter
Porter
Month: July 2025
Dan Porter is the CEO of Overtime, a creator of disruptive sports IP and the leading sports brand and community for the next generation of fans. Porter has previously built companies in mobile gaming, education, media and marketplaces and has generated multiple exits for his investors over the course of his career.
Before Overtime, Porter served as Head of Digital at William Morris Endeavor (WME) where he built out the first and leading digital talent arm representing hundreds of top creators. Porter also founded and led numerous startups including OMGPOP, a gaming company that sold for $200MM and TicketWeb, a ticketing company that sold for $40MM. Additionally, he was also the creator of Draw Something, a mobile gaming app which was downloaded 250 million times.
Porter spent his early career in education as a public school teacher in Brooklyn, and as a member of the early team of Teach For America and eventually as its President.
Porter graduated from Princeton University and has a master’s degree from New York University where he is also currently an adjunct associate professor.


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Andre Gray
Andre
Gray
Gray
Month: July 2025
Andre Gray is the Chief Creative Officer at ANNEX88, part of Havas. Author of Digital Anthropomorphism: Humanizing the Brand, he is a staunch advocate for underrepresented voices through work like Black Madison Avenue and lives to add to the cultural conversation.


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Adan Romero
Adan
Romero
Romero
Month: July 2025
Creative leader Adan Romero spearheads breakthrough work for clients like Verizon, Audi, and more. Born in Honduras, raised in Brooklyn, Adan’s achievements include the Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lion for American Express “Small Business gets an Official Day,” and advocating for POC in the industry.


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Walter T. Geer
Walter T.
Geer
Geer
Month: July 2025
Walter T. Geer is Chief Experience Design Officer at VMLY&R Health. Honored by WSJ, Adweek, Savoy and more, Walter co-founded Diverse Creatives and has been outspoken
in the charge for creating a diverse and inclusive culture for Black and brown creatives in advertising.


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Abran Maldonado
Abran
Maldonado
Maldonado
Month: July 2025
Abran Maldonado is a globally recognized AI thought leader and co-founder of Create Labs, an award-winning startup led by Black and Brown innovators at the forefront of generative AI and digital human design. He is the creator of C.L.Ai.R.A., the first GPT-powered digital woman of color, and was among the earliest prompt engineers to test OpenAI’s models. As an OpenAI ambassador, Abran supports responsible AI use, particularly in education and social impact. His work merges culture and innovation to ensure AI reflects diverse voices, and has been featured in The Washington Post, Wired, and Fast Company.


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