Black leaders on TIME 100 for 2025 represent extraordinary talent and influence across entertainment, politics, healthcare, and social justice. The annual list highlights individuals whose work and vision are transforming our world in meaningful ways.
Artists Reshaping Culture
Snoop Dogg: The Cultural Icon
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus, has transcended his rap origins to become a multifaceted entrepreneur and philanthropist. At 53, he manages ventures like Death Row Records and Doggyland, a children’s media brand. His commitment to youth development is evident through the Snoop Youth Football League, impacting thousands in underserved communities. Snoop’s enduring influence is a testament to his adaptability and dedication to positive change.
Danielle Deadwyler: Captivating Performer
Danielle Deadwyler has emerged as one of the most compelling actors of her generation. Regina King, who first met Deadwyler on the set of “Watchmen,” praises her commitment: “Danielle doesn’t see anything as small when it comes to acting: every moment has a meaning.”
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins: Theatrical Innovator
Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has revolutionized American theater with works that challenge audiences and critics alike. Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael R. Jackson describes him as “a creator of trends, not a follower,” whose plays like “An Octoroon,” “Appropriate,” and his latest Broadway production “Purpose” use “black (and Black) humor to great effect.”
Helping Our Future
Alex Karp: CEO, Billionaire, Palantir Technologies
Alex Karp represents a sharp departure from the typical Silicon Valley billionaire. As the CEO of Palantir Technologies—a data-analytics firm deeply embedded with U.S. military and intelligence operations—he’s embraced a bold and unapologetic vision of techno-nationalism.
Karp’s rhetoric often echoes the realpolitik of global conflict. In a recent shareholder letter, he quoted political theorist Samuel Huntington to underscore a belief that Western dominance has been built not just on ideas, but on the strategic use of power. It’s a worldview that has gained traction among those who see technology not just as innovation, but as an instrument of geopolitical strength.
While his words stir debate, his results speak volumes. Palantir’s revenue soared 36% in the final quarter of 2024, and his book The Technological Republic became a New York Times best seller. As Western institutions look to reassert influence in a shifting global order, Karp has positioned himself—and Palantir—at the center of that conversation.
Percival Everett: Writer, Distinguished Professor
Percival Everett doesn’t just write stories—he reshapes the way we think about storytelling itself.
In James, his reimagining of Huck Finn’s Black companion, Everett crafts a novel that is as piercing as it is unexpectedly funny. You find yourself laughing, only to realize you’re deep in a story about slavery. That tension is intentional. Many writers shy away from levity in narratives of oppression, but Everett understands that joy is not just allowed—it’s essential. To exclude it is to erase the complexity and resilience of the people who lived through those histories.
Everett’s brilliance spans far beyond the page. He’s a painter, a musician, a mathematician, a fly fisherman, a husband, a father, and a professor. With each role he takes on, he reminds us that life is layered, difficult, and often unfair—but still full of meaning. His work doesn’t just teach us how to write—it teaches us how to live.
Napheesa Collier: WNBA All-Star, Co-Founder of Unrivaled
Napheesa Collier isn’t just shaping the future of women’s basketball—she’s building its infrastructure.
Her dominance on the court is undeniable. In 2024, she faced off against Breanna Stewart (Stewie) in the WNBA Finals in a matchup that was as electrifying as it was historic. But it’s what she’s doing off the court that has the potential to change everything.
In a bold move with Stewart, Collier co-founded Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league designed to give WNBA players a sustainable, elite platform to compete in the U.S. during the offseason. Traditionally, many players have had to leave the country—sometimes moving their families—to earn supplemental income abroad. Unrivaled offers something better: competitive pay, control over branding, and the opportunity to build equity in their own future.
More than a league, Unrivaled is a statement. It challenges the status quo in professional sports. It forces athletes, fans, and executives to rethink how women’s sports are structured, funded, and valued. And most of all, it proves that female athletes don’t have to wait for someone else to create space for them—they can build their own.
Collier’s leadership is both practical and visionary. By leveraging her platform, talent, and determination, she’s creating a path where others can thrive without compromise. The launch of Unrivaled isn’t just a business move—it’s a cultural shift. And Napheesa Collier is at the center of it.
Icons Making History
Simone Biles: Olympic Titan
Crafted through tireless effort and refined by sheer willpower, she’s a singular force in sport. Simone doesn’t just compete; she redefines the boundaries of what’s possible in gymnastics. Her routines are so advanced, my teammates and I used to joke we were all just vying for second.
With five original skills named after her, Simone has left a permanent mark on the sport. But it’s not just her talent that sets her apart—it’s her mindset. Even as the GOAT, she keeps pushing. She never stops evolving.
She’s endured crushing expectations and public scrutiny, yet navigates it all with honesty and courage. Simone leads by example, proving strength includes vulnerability. She’s real. She’s resilient. And her influence stretches far beyond medals.
By elevating conversations around mental health and athlete safety, Simone has not only transformed gymnastics—she’s reshaped the future of sport itself. Her impact is generational.
The routines will be remembered. The records will be studied. But her true legacy is this: making it safer, stronger, and more human for every athlete who comes next.
Serena Williams: Tennis Legend and Entrepreneur
Serena Williams’s impact extends beyond the tennis court. Her ventures into fashion, venture capital, and philanthropy showcase her versatility and commitment to empowering others. Williams continues to inspire through her advocacy for gender equality and support for underrepresented communities.
Jalen Hurts: Resilient Champion
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts led his team to Super Bowl victory in 2025, but his journey exemplifies perseverance beyond athletic achievement. After being benched during the 2018 National Championship game and losing the 2023 Super Bowl, Hurts used these setbacks as motivation.Angeline Murimirwa: Education Advocate
Growing up in rural Zimbabwe, Angeline Murimirwa received a life-changing scholarship from CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education). Today, as CAMFED’s CEO, she helps millions of girls access education across Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Raquel Willis: Voice for Liberation
Author, journalist, and activist Raquel Willis has become a powerful advocate for Black trans lives. As the first trans executive editor for Out magazine and co-founder of the Gender Liberation Movement, Willis has created platforms for marginalized voices.
Fatou Baldeh: Rights Defender
When Gambia’s parliament considered repealing the country’s ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2024, Fatou Baldeh took action. As founder of Women in Liberation & Leadership and an FGM survivor herself, Baldeh led a successful campaign to block the bill.
Leaders Shaping Our World
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Global Health Guardian
As Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has transformed global health with “visionary leadership and relentless support for science-based decisionmaking,” according to epidemiologist Larry Brilliant.
Duma Boko: Democratic Reformer
Harvard-trained lawyer Duma Boko made history in October 2024 when he became President of Botswana, ending nearly 60 years of single-party rule. Facing challenges in a nation heavily dependent on diamond exports, Boko is working to diversify the economy through cannabis and solar-power industries.
Mo Abudu: African Media Mogul
Mo Abudu has built a media empire that’s reshaping how African stories are told globally. The founder of a sprawling enterprise encompassing studios, productions, cinemas, and a creative academy, Abudu launched the $50 million Afro Film Fund in 2024.
The Impact of Representation
