TIME has officially debuted its first-ever The Closers list, a new initiative recognizing leaders working to close the racial wealth gap. Issa Rae reigned as one of the 18 names featured, and the multi-hyphenate delved into Hollywood’s unkept promises in her coinciding cover story.
Rae told TIME her plans for 2024, which include the development of at least two new projects for HBO. She also opened up about the ups and downs of 2023, consisting of major roles, show cancellations, layoffs resulting from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and more.
“I’ve never seen Hollywood this scared and clueless, and at the mercy of Wall Street,” she said. Last year, the Hoorae CEO watched as her Rap Sh!t show was cancelled by Warner Bros. Discovery after just two seasons. She also was disappointed as she witnessed Hollywood not uphold their promises to increase representation and diversity.
“I recognize that I have to do well economically to be able to make change,” she continued. “That’s frustrating, that’s ugly. But I recognize that money moves things faster — and so much of what I do is with the intention to help make those moves.”
Still, the 39-year-old writer and producer has some exciting projects on the horizon, one of which is set in an “alternative present” and will be the first show that she will create, write, and star in since Insecure.
Rae’s aforementioned Rap Sh!t was a beloved MAX original loosely based on the City Girls’ rise to fame. VIBE recently shared a look back at the series’ most memorable chapters, including the duo’s first viral moment, Shawna and Cliff’s relationship, and more.
Check out TIME’s interview with Issa Rae here and the full list of honorees below.
Adriana Barbosa, president and CEO of PretaHub
Angelica Ross, president of Miss Ross Inc. and founder of TransTech Social Enterprises
Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons, leaders at the Fearless Fund
Aurora James, designer and founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge
Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Cory Booker, U.S. Senator
Darrick Hamilton and William Darity, economists at the New School and Duke
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, chief of membership, policy and equity at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition
Erin Horne McKinney, national executive director of the Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
Imani Ellis, founder of CultureCon
Issa Rae, actress, writer, producer and CEO of Hoorae
John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope
Leandris Liburd, acting director for CDC’s Office of Health Equity
Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance
Ramogi Huma, executive director of the National College Players Association
Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of 10000 Interns Foundation
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