EBONY has unveiled its 2026 Power 100, recognizing a wide-ranging group of Black leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, creators and cultural figures whose work is shaping business, entertainment, media, technology, sports and community life. This year’s honorees include Jay-Z, Common, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Debbie Allen, Keke Palmer, Naomi Osaka, Byron Allen, Questlove, Vic Mensa, T.I., Morgan DeBaun and several other influential names across industries.This year’s theme, “The Stories We Shape,” focuses on the power of Black people to tell their own stories, influence culture and help define the direction of business, media and society.
“The Power 100 has always documented the people moving our culture forward, and this year’s class demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of that influence,” EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman said. “The Stories We Shape is about ensuring Black people remain at the center of telling our stories and defining our collective future.”
The 2026 list is divided into categories representing different areas of influence.
In the Artists in Residence category, honorees include Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Debbie Allen, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Colson Whitehead, choreographer and creative director Charm La’Donna, and visual artist Rashid Johnson.
The Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard category recognizes executives and entrepreneurs including Latriece Watkins, president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S.; Byron Allen, founder and CEO of Allen Media Group; Stacy Brown Philpot, founder and managing partner of Cherryrock Capital; and Calendly founder and CEO Tope Awotona.
The category is named in honor of the late Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, founder of EBONY’s parent company and father of Eden Bridgeman.
Community Crusaders include Chicago’s own Common and Vic Mensa, along with Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Artis Stevens, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; and Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women.
The Entertainment Powerhouses category includes Keke Palmer, Questlove, filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Channing Dungey and Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Television Studios, NBC Entertainment and Peacock Scripted.
A younger generation of talent is also represented.
The Generation Next category includes NBA star Victor Wembanyama, creator and actress Quenlin Blackwell, dancer and actress Nia Sioux, journalist and content creator Jazlyn Guerra, known for “Jazzy’s World TV,” and STEM creator Sean “The Science Kid” Atitogbe.
Digital creators are also a major part of this year’s class. Influential Creators honorees include iShowSpeed, technology reviewer Marques Brownlee, model and fashion creator Wisdom Kaye, designer Grace Wales Bonner and Y Combinator Partner Emeritus Michael Seibel.
Sports honorees include Naomi Osaka, WNBA player and Players Association President Nneka Ogwumike, former WNBA champion and broadcaster Renee Montgomery, Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and several members of the New York Knicks, including Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
The Media Mavens category includes Sheinelle Jones, Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels, Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee and comedian and writer Josh Johnson.
In music, the 2026 class includes Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gamma co-founder and CEO Larry Jackson and HarbourView Equity Partners founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke.
The STEM Trailblazers category recognizes leaders working across technology, innovation and science, including Blavity and AfroTech founder Morgan DeBaun, Dr. Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution, Goodr founder Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Spelman College President Dr. Ayanna Howard and Google and Alphabet Senior Vice President Dr. James Manyika.
For EBONY, the annual Power 100 continues a tradition of highlighting Black achievement across generations and industries.
The 2026 class reflects not only established names, but also a growing group of entrepreneurs, creators, executives and innovators building influence in spaces that increasingly shape everyday life.
The 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala will be held Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The complete list of honorees is available at EBONY.com/Power100.
