The Ebony100 Power List has been announced, and it contains some of the hottest Black celebrities to date, including the starting five for the 2026 NBA Champion New York Knicks as well as actress Keke Palmer, rappers JAŸ-Z and Megan Thee Stallion as well as director and screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The Ebony Power 100 List is the highly-regarded publication’s recognition of those who have blazed trails and are leading the charge in various fields including entertainment, politics, sports and activism.
“For generations, Ebony has been where Black excellence is named, documented and celebrated, and the Power 100 carries that responsibility forward,” Ebony CEO Eden Bridgeman said in a statement.
The Knicks’ magical run to winning their first NBA title in 53 years led to their players – Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges – led to them being selected in the sports category along with professional tennis player Naomi Osaka and Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor.
Bridgeman added, “This year’s honorees are shaping culture in real time, from the stage and the screen to the boardroom, the lab and the neighborhoods they serve. Recognizing them isn’t only about honoring what they’ve achieved – it’s about recording the history they’re making so the generations behind them can see what’s possible.”
JAŸ-Z was named as a music innovator, based on his efforts as an MC and founder of the Roc Nation organization. Keke Palmer was recognized as an Entertainment Powerhouse along with Prince-Bythewood and founding member of The Roots, Questlove.
The honorees for this year will be feted at the Ebony Power 100 Gala, which will be held at the Hollywood Palladium on Monday, November 9. The private ceremony will be produced by the Emmy Award-winning Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) company, responsible for organizing and producing major events such as the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the BET Awards.
The entire 2026 class of the Ebony Power 100 List can be found on the outlet’s website.
