February 2nd 2024.
Actress, writer, producer, and Hoorae CEO Issa Rae graced the cover of TIME's first-ever "The Closers" list, a new annual catalog highlighting 18 leaders working to close the racial wealth gap. Unveiled on Thursday, February 1, the list includes notable figures like Angelica Ross, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and Issa herself. The creation of this list was a response to a recent Federal Reserve report that showed the vast difference between the median wealth of white households and Black families in the U.S. in 2022.
In her cover profile, Issa opened up about how she manages to balance her pursuit of equity with her creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. She also shared her plans for 2024, which include two new projects for HBO, one of which she will create, write, and star in, similar to her hit series Insecure. The new show will be set in an "alternative present" and will be a collaboration with Southside creators Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin.
The "Closers" list also includes other influential leaders, such as Adriana Barbosa, president and CEO of PretaHub; 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; and many more. Each of these individuals is using their platform and expertise to fight against the racial wealth gap in various industries, including business, policymaking, healthcare, and entertainment.
This recognition comes shortly after Issa's HBO Max series, Rap Sh!t, was canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery, which she attributes to the lack of progress on diversity pledges made by Hollywood during the height of racial tensions in 2020. She expressed frustration with the industry, stating, "I've never seen Hollywood this scared and clueless, and at the mercy of Wall Street." However, she remains determined to continue doing well economically to pave the way for other diverse creatives and bring about real change.
The racial wealth gap has been a persistent issue in the United States, and while the exact figures may fluctuate, the undeniable truth is that it continues to widen. "Oftentimes the frame is, 'Oh, we're not where we want to be, but we're getting there,'" said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, chief of membership, policy, and equity at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. "And for 20 years, I have been trying to highlight, 'No, we aren't.'" This list serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done and that these leaders are on the front lines of this ongoing fight for equity.
Issa and the other honorees are using their success and influence to pave the way for future generations and create opportunities for marginalized communities. As Issa stated, "I recognize that I have to do well economically to be able to make change. 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." Their efforts are crucial in combatting this growing wealth gap and creating a more equitable society for all.
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