Writer, actress, and producer Issa Rae received top honors at the 2026 Variety Power of Women event held in Beverly Hills, California, on September 23, 2026. Celebrating influential female figures across the entertainment landscape, media, and global advocacy, the annual ceremony presented Rae with the Entertainment Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by U.S. Bank at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Accepting the honor on stage, Rae delivered a candid and reflective speech about the current state of the film and television industry. Addressing the creative and financial shifts impacting Hollywood, she emphasized the vital importance of holding onto personal agency and continuing to champion diverse voices. Rae explained that focusing on what she can control—including who she hires, champions, and collaborates with—allows her to make a meaningful difference, remaining steadfastly dedicated to using her executive influence to invest in independent creators and build sustainable opportunities for her community.
Rae first captured national attention through her popular web series Awkward Black Girl, which laid the foundation for her groundbreaking television career. She subsequently created, executive produced, and starred in the acclaimed HBO comedy series Insecure, which aired from 2016 to 2021. The hit show earned Rae two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series Comedy or Musical and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, establishing her as a transformative voice in modern television. Following the success of the series, she established Hoorae Media, a multi-faceted media company that encompasses television production, film development, and artist management.
Over the past several years, Rae has steadily expanded her acting career across major motion pictures. She appeared as President Barbie in Greta Gerwig's blockbuster comedy hit Barbie, starred in the critically acclaimed and Academy Award-winning satire American Fiction, and voiced Jessica Drew in the animated blockbuster Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Her feature screen credentials also include roles in the drama The Hate U Give, the comedy Little, the romantic drama The Photograph, and the comedy feature One of Them Days.
Beyond her work in front of and behind the camera, Rae continues to expand her entrepreneurial reach. She has launched audio and music ventures, including the Raedio record label, and maintains strategic investments in emerging businesses. Looking forward, Rae is actively developing new scripted series for HBO under her ongoing studio deal, continuing her mission to cultivate original stories and nurture the next generation of creative talent.
