Ebony’s 2026 Power 100 Maps the New Architecture of Black Influence

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 05, 2026 — Influence is a moving target. For decades, the metrics of cultural power were dictated by traditional gatekeepers: studio heads, record label executives, and legacy publishers. But as the digital economy matures, the locus of power has fundamentally shifted. Today, EBONY Media Group unveiled its 2026 Power 100 list, an annual roster that, upon closer inspection, serves as a masterclass in how modern influence is built, monetized, and sustained.

Set to be celebrated at a highly anticipated gala on November 9 at the Hollywood Palladium—produced in partnership with Emmy-winning Jesse Collins Entertainment—this year's list is anchored by the theme "The Stories We Shape." Yet, beneath the glamour of the red carpet lies a profound business narrative. The 2026 honorees reflect a strategic pivot, recognizing that true cultural authority now requires measurable economic impact and technological ownership.

The New Architecture of Narrative Ownership

For over 80 years, the publication has documented the Black American experience. However, its recent history is a testament to the harsh realities of the modern media landscape. Following a turbulent period that included bankruptcy filings in 2019 and 2020, the brand was acquired for $14 million by the late Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman. Since then, under the stewardship of his daughter, CEO Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, the media group has transformed into a digital-first enterprise operating under 1145 Holdings, LLC.

This corporate evolution mirrors the broader theme of this year's Power 100. The focus is no longer merely on representation within existing structures, but on the outright ownership of the platforms that distribute those narratives.

"The Power 100 has always documented the people moving our culture forward, and this year's class demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of that influence," said Eden Bridgeman, CEO of EBONY. "'The Stories We Shape' is about ensuring Black people remain at the center of telling our stories and defining our collective future."

That collective future is increasingly independent. Honorees across the media and entertainment categories demonstrate how modern creators are bypassing traditional media conglomerates to build direct, monetizable relationships with their audiences.

From Hardwood to High Finance: The Bridgeman Legacy

Perhaps the most poignant addition to the 2026 list is the introduction of the Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard category. Named in honor of the late patriarch who passed away in March 2025, the category memorializes a man who seamlessly transitioned from an NBA career to building a $1.4 billion business empire. Before his death, Bridgeman's holdings included hundreds of restaurant franchises, a massive Coca-Cola bottling operation, and a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks valued at $4 billion.

The executives honored in this inaugural vanguard category embody that same spirit of entrepreneurial scale and corporate stewardship. Latriece Watkins, President and CEO of Sam's Club U.S., and Tope Awotona, Founder and CEO of Calendly, represent the pinnacle of modern executive power. Awotona's inclusion is particularly notable; as the founder of a multibillion-dollar software company, he exemplifies the shift from traditional brick-and-mortar wealth to scalable, cloud-based enterprise.

Similarly, the inclusion of Stacy Brown-Philpot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cherryrock Capital, highlights the critical role of capital allocation. By spotlighting venture capitalists and corporate leaders alongside entertainers, the publication is actively redefining Black excellence to include the architects of high finance and corporate strategy. It is a clear signal that the future of cultural influence is inextricably linked to financial sovereignty.

This evolution is also visible in the "Leaders in Sports" category. Athletes are no longer just endorsers; they are institutional investors and media moguls. The inclusion of figures like Naomi Osaka and the WNBA's Nneka Ogwumike highlights a generation of sports stars who leverage their on-court success to launch production companies, venture funds, and social justice initiatives. It is a model of athletic entrepreneurship that directly echoes the path paved by Junior Bridgeman decades ago.

The Digital Frontier and the Algorithmic Elite

If the Business Vanguard category represents the boardroom, the "Influential Creators" and "STEM Trailblazers" categories represent the frontier of the new economy. This is where the 2026 list makes its most aggressive departure from legacy metrics of fame.

The inclusion of digital native stars like tech reviewer Marques Brownlee and livestreamer iShowSpeed underscores a critical reality for legacy media: influence is now algorithmic. These creators command audiences that rival, and often dwarf, traditional television networks. Brownlee, for instance, has built an independent media empire out of consumer technology analysis, driving market trends and consumer purchasing decisions with a single video. Recognizing these digital pioneers is not just a nod to youth culture; it is an acknowledgment of where media consumption and advertising dollars have decisively migrated.

The "Media Mavens" and "Music Innovators" categories further reflect this democratization of distribution. Honorees like Jason Lee of Hollywood Unlocked and the hosts of the Higher Learning Podcast, Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, have bypassed traditional network gatekeepers to build massive, highly engaged communities. In the music sector, executives like Larry Jackson, CEO of Gamma, are fundamentally restructuring how artists are funded and how their intellectual property is managed. Gamma's model, which provides capital and resources while allowing artists to retain ownership, perfectly encapsulates the Power 100's theme of narrative and economic control.

Furthermore, the STEM Trailblazers category highlights the individuals building the infrastructure of tomorrow. Dr. James Manyika, Senior Vice President at Google and Alphabet, and Dr. Ayanna Howard, President of Spelman College and a renowned robotics expert, represent the intellectual capital driving artificial intelligence and technological innovation. Their presence on the list alongside figures like Morgan DeBaun, Founder and CEO of Blavity Inc. and AfroTech, illustrates a comprehensive view of power—one that values the engineers and technologists coding the future just as highly as the artists defining its aesthetic.

A Blueprint for the Future of Black Wealth

The operational mechanics of the upcoming gala further reinforce this narrative of elevated Black enterprise. Partnering with Jesse Collins Entertainment—the powerhouse production company behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the Emmy Awards—ensures that the event itself is a premier, high-value media property. It is a strategic alignment that leverages top-tier Black-owned production capabilities to celebrate Black achievement, keeping the economic lifecycle of the event entirely within the community it honors.

As the media group continues to stabilize and grow—with industry estimates placing its current annual revenue between $23 million and $38 million—its strategic direction offers a blueprint for legacy brand revitalization. By leaning into digital expansion, financial literacy, and multimedia production through its newly formed studios and publishing arms, the company is proving that legacy brands can survive the digital transition if they are willing to ruthlessly update their value propositions.

The 2026 EBONY Power 100 is ultimately more than an awards list. It is a meticulously curated index of the modern Black economy. From the venture capitalists funding the next generation of software to the livestreamers capturing the attention of millions, the honorees reflect a diaspora that is aggressively claiming its stake in the digital age. For business leaders watching from the sidelines, the message is unambiguous: the architecture of influence has been rebuilt, and the new builders are moving faster, thinking bigger, and operating with more independence than ever before.