to sell DVDs with exclusive BET programming from its award-winning shows, video shows, and other programming at Wal-Mart. And he’s currently working on a deal that will provide BET content through a wireless carrier the company doesn’t yet want to disclose. Prior to taking his current position, Mills was chief operating officer of BET Interactive, and before that senior vice president of business development for BET Holdings. AGE: 37
Soledad O’Brien, Anchor, Reporter, AMERICAN MORNING, CNN
Why she’s hot: As co-host of CNN’s American Morning news program, roughly a half million people depend on Soledad O’Brien every morning to inform them about what’s going on in the world. From a live remote, O’Brien came into viewers’ homes with reports on the 2005 London terrorist attacks and the devastation of last year’s tsunami. And she asked tough questions of FEMA officials regarding the slow reaction to Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf region. A 16-year veteran, O’Brien has held positions as producer and writer for a number of local television stations and, at one point, co-hosted The Discovery Channel’s The Know Zone, for which she won an Emmy in 1995. O’Brien started gaining greater visibility when she joined NBC’s Weekend Today after a stint hosting MSNBC’s technology program The Site. AGE: 39
JADA MIRANDA HBO ENTERTAINMENT
Why she’s hot: Jada Miranda is among a handful of high-ranking black television executives. Over her two-year tenure, Miranda has been involved in the creative and production sides of
various programs, including the highly acclaimed hit comedy series Entourage, as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Comeback. On a daily basis, she manages a well-orchestrated balancing act by working closely with writers, fielding scores of show pitches, and overseeing over 50 scripts in development. “The fact that good shows come out of a process that is so lightening fast [and] has so much pressure to perform … is a testament to the people working here,” she says.
Vice President, Comedy Programming AGE: 28
VANESSA MORRISON MURCHISON Senior Vice President, Production 20th CENTURY FOX
Why she’s hot: Vanessa Morrison Murchison is a woman of cinematic clout. As senior vice president of production at 20th Century Fox, she acquires and develops materials—from novels and short stories to screenplays—and converts them into theatrical films. In addition to managing the creative aspects of development and production, Morrison Murchison also hires screenwriters and actors and participates in selecting directors and producers for her film projects. Specializing in family movies and mainstream comedies, Morrison Murchison worked on Garfield, Cheaper by the Dozen, Dr. Doolittle 2, and Fat Albert. She is currently working on the sequels to Garfield and Cheaper by the Dozen. AGE: 36
BERNARD MUIR, Director of Athletics GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Why he’s hot: On July 1, 2005, Bernard Muir was named director of athletics for Georgetown University. He oversees the operations of all intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs, which include more than 100 coaches and staff who support more than 650 student athletes participating in 27 sports. The majority compete in the Big East conference. Muir is the 10th