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Time magazine has just revealed their list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2015 with prominent individuals from various industries, countries and cultural backgrounds making the final cut. From politics, to arts, education and entertainment, we’ve rounded up the names of individuals whose achievements and community contributions have led them to earning a spot on the prestigious list.
Click below to check out their career highlights.
Kanye West:
Love him or hate him, Mr. West continues to prove that he will remain at the top in music, business and fashion. With his seventh solo album expected to come out later this year, this Chicago native has sold more than 21 million albums, has 21 Grammy awards, a fashion collaboration with Adidas, and his own GOOD music record label under his belt. And he does all of this while tending to his family duties as a father to North West and husband to Kim Kardshian, who also made the list.
Mellody Hobson:
Hobson is the president of one of the largest African American owned mutual fund companies in the nation, Ariel Investments, and serves on the board of several corporations including Dreamworks Animation, Chicago Public Library, Starbucks, Estee Lauder Companies and many more.
Lee Daniels:
Daniels is an award-winning film producer, director, and actor who brought to the big screen popular films such as Monster’s Ball, Precious, and The Butler. He currently serves as the creator, director and producer of Fox’s hit show Empire.
“His eyes and ears are attuned to nuance. He knows how to rattle the nerves of the zeitge
ist. He is an undeniable, singular voice, the likes of which we’ve rarely seen,” wrote Oprah Winfrey in her Time piece about the creative genius.Misty Copeland:
Known as the third African American soloist and first in two decades to perform with the American Ballet Theatre, Copeland is viewed as one of the most prominent ballet dancers in history. In March 2014, she released her autobiography Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina to share her journey of trials and triumphs.
Bryan Stevenson:
Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit that focuses on improving the criminal justice system and race relations within our country. He also serves as a professor at New York University School of Law.
“It is Bryan’s belief that every person is more than the worst
thing they’ve ever done, which is a lesson to so many that forgiveness is a necessary means to achieving equality for all,” wrote Serena Williams about Mr. Stevenson.Kevin Hart:
Hart is a comedian, actor, writer and producer whose played in films such as Think Like a Man, Ride Along, About Last Night, and Soul Plane. He’s traveled all around the country doing stand-up comedy tours, with his latest shows being turned into the films Seriously Funny
and Laugh at My Pain, which has grossed over $8 million since its release.“Right now, Kev is the biggest stand-up comedian in the country. I don’t even think there’s a No. 2, to be honest,” Chris Rock wrote.
President Barack Obama:
As the first African American president and the 44th president of the United States, Obama is currently serving his second term in the leading position. With his fair share of ups and downs as president, political columnist Joe Klein writes, “Barack Obama has proved that even after a lacerating defeat, the President of the United States is always, potentially, the most influential person in the world.”