10 of the Most Innovative Black Creatives in Hollywood Right Now

Jordan Peele is an Academy Award-winning writer, director, and producer, best known for creating the horror films Get Out and Us. Get Out earned him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making him the first African American to ever win in that category. His other notable works include the television series revival of the Twilight Zone, The Last O.G., and the last year’s film thriller Nope.

Peele has been an influential voice in Hollywood, bringing attention to the lack of diversity and representation of people of color in media. With his production company Monkeypaw Productions, he has become one of Time Magazine’s most influential people in the world. He is a leader in the industry, inspiring other black creators to tell stories that matter.

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Steve McQueen is an English film director, producer, and screenwriter renowned for his award-winning films, such as 12 Years a Slave, Hunger, and Shame. His most recent work, the 2019 heist movie Widows, was the first movie with a predominantly black ensemble cast released by a major Hollywood studio in over two decades.

Thanks to his accomplishments, McQueen has become a major figure in Hollywood, advocating for more black representation in the film and television industry. He has inspired many black filmmakers to tell stories that are meaningful and to fight for their rightful representation in the industry. Currently, McQueen is working on Blitz and Occupied City which are in production and post-production respectively. 

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Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award-winning actress best known for her incredible performances in the films The Help and Hidden Figures. She has been a shining light in Hollywood, becoming the first African American actress to be nominated for three Academy Awards, and winning one for her unforgettable performance in The Help. Spencer is an ardent supporter of more representation of black people in the media and has vocally stood up in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

She is a beacon of encouragement to many young black actors, inspiring them to never give up on their dreams, drawing on her own origin story in acting. Spencer's incredible talent and unwavering commitment to justice have been a source of real motivation for the younger generation of black actors. Though a decorated actress, in more recent years, she has been dabbling in production with The Bobby Love Story, an upcoming TV series with Spencer as an Executive Producer is her latest project.

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Mahershala Ali is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor, best known for his stellar performances in the films Moonlight, Green Book, and Hidden Figures. His amazing talent and presence on the screen has been recognized by many, with him becoming the first Muslim to gain an Academy Award in an acting category; a remarkable achievement that has made him a major figure in Hollywood.

Moreover, he has become an important voice for black representation in the industry, taking a strong stance in support of increased diversity in media. He speaks out against inequality and prejudice, striving for a more equal and accepting world for everyone.

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Denzel Washington is an Academy Award-winning actor, best known for his roles in the films Glory, Malcolm X, Training Day, and Fences. He is one of the most successful and acclaimed actors in Hollywood, becoming the first African American to win two Academy Awards in consecutive years.

Washington has been a major figure in the industry and become one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood. Washington's immense talent and dedication to justice have been a source of real inspiration for the younger generation of black actors.

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Viola Davis is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress, best known for her incredible performances in the films The Help, Fences and the TV series How to Get Away with Murder. Amongst her many accolades, she is a recent EGOT, having attained an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Davis also happens to be the first Black actress to have won the highly elusive Triple Crown of Acting, a reflection of her acting chops.

Davis is an incredible role model for other black actors, actively speaking out for more representation of people of color in the entertainment industry. With her husband, Julius Tennon, the two have JuVee productions to push the boundaries of storytelling and challenge the status quo, striving to make Hollywood a more equitable and inclusive space.

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Ryan Coogler is an award-winning director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work on the critically-acclaimed films Fruitvale Station and Creed, but his 2018 Marvel film Black Panther made him a household name. The film was a milestone in his career as it became the first superhero film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, making him the first Black filmmaker ever to achieve this feat.

He has become an advocate for diversity in Hollywood, using his platform to speak out in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Coogler stays busy with numerous projects in development and production, including the upcoming Creed III set to be released later this year.

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John Boyega is an English actor acclaimed for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He has made a remarkable impact on Hollywood, becoming the first black man to lead a Star Wars film with The Force Awakens in 2015. His success in the industry has been undeniable, with Boyega having starred in other films such as Pacific Rim: Uprising and Detroit in his young career.

He stays busy with projects, with his next being They Cloned Tyrone due later in 2023.

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Issa Rae is a notable actress, writer, producer, and director who solidified her name in Hollywood with her hit HBO series Insecure. She is the first black woman to create and star in a premium cable series, and her efforts have been met with remarkable success, garnering numerous Emmy nominations for the show. Rae is a true leader in the entertainment industry, advocating for greater inclusion and representation of black voices in film and television.

Next up for Rae is her role in the new Barbie film.

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Donald Glover is a multi-talented artist who has made a huge impact on the entertainment industry. He is best known for his acting roles in the critically acclaimed television series Atlanta and Community, winning multiple awards and accolades for his work. He has also made a name for himself as a musician, performing under the stage name Childish Gambino and releasing hit albums like Awaken and My Love.

Glover is more than just an entertainer; he is an influential voice in the industry, weaving social commentary into his art and work. His commitment to social justice has made him an inspiration to many, and his success serves as proof that representation matters.

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