Issa Rae to Receive UCLA Anderson’s 2025 Game Changer Award

LOS ANGELES — Acclaimed writer, producer, actress, and entrepreneur Issa Rae has been named the recipient of the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s 2025 Game Changer Award. The prestigious honor, which recognizes influential business leaders in media, entertainment, and sports, will be presented at the annual Pulse Conference at UCLA on April 4, 2025.

Rae’s recognition highlights her groundbreaking contributions to storytelling, entrepreneurship, and community development. She first rose to prominence with her YouTube web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, a pioneering effort that leveraged social media and crowdfunding to reach audiences worldwide. Her success led to the creation of the Peabody Award-winning HBO series Insecure, which redefined Black representation in television.

“Issa Rae epitomizes exactly what the Game Changer Award was meant to recognize,” said Jay Tucker, executive director of the UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports. He praised her for using digital platforms to innovate and amplify underrepresented voices.

UCLA Anderson professor and faculty director Sanjay Sood also commended Rae’s impact, noting her deep ties to Los Angeles. “Issa Rae is a true game changer in entertainment and a thriving entrepreneur who shows her passion for the L.A. community by featuring the city in her shows and films. Perhaps even more important, Issa’s many businesses and investments have brought new energy and focus to some of L.A.’s most iconic neighborhoods. We are thrilled to honor her at Pulse.”

The Game Changer Award recognizes industry leaders who have pioneered new business models, developed innovative technology, and transformed the entertainment landscape. Past honorees include Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley, Ice Cube, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Beyond her celebrated work in film and television, Rae is an influential business leader. In 2020, she launched HOORAE, a media company focused on expanding diverse storytelling. The company operates multiple divisions, including HOORAE Media for film and television, the music label Raedio, the talent management firm ColorCreative, and the marketing agency FÊTE.

Her commitment to community development is equally significant. She established HOORAE’s headquarters in South L.A. near her childhood home, supports the nonprofit Destination Crenshaw, and co-owns Hilltop Cafe + Kitchen, a local business fostering opportunities for creatives. She has also invested in Black-owned businesses such as the vegan haircare brand Sienna Naturals and the newly launched Viarae Prosecco.

The UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports, which presents the award, is a leader in industry education and innovation, collaborating with Hollywood studios, sports organizations, and media companies. UCLA Anderson School of Management, a globally recognized institution, continues to cultivate leaders who drive transformative change in business and society.

As Rae continues to break boundaries across multiple industries, this honor cements her status as a visionary shaping the future of entertainment and entrepreneurship. She will formally receive the award on April 4, 2025, at UCLA’s Pulse Conference.

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