WAYMAKER TOP 50
Artists whose talent, presence, and impact entertain the world while using their platforms to elevate culture, challenge norms, and inspire possibility.
Owning the Conversation
Joe Budden’s journey from rapper to media entrepreneur highlights the power of ownership in today’s entertainment landscape. While he first gained recognition in music, the New Jersey native’s true legacy has been shaped by his work in media, where he has challenged traditional industry models and shown what is possible when creators maintain control of their platforms.
Central to Budden’s influence is the Joe Budden Network, a creator-owned media company that prioritizes in-depth conversation and direct connection with listeners. Budden’s decision to retain full ownership of his network and flagship show has set him apart in an industry often defined by corporate consolidation. With millions tuning in each month and support coming from subscriptions, advertising, and fans, Budden’s approach demonstrates how independent creators can thrive while keeping creative and financial control.
“The Joe Budden Podcast” serves as the heart of the network, offering thoughtful analysis and lively debate on music, business, and celebrity culture. Rather than focusing on breaking news, the show provides context and perspective, helping listeners make sense of the broader cultural landscape. This approach has influenced how audiences engage with hip-hop media, encouraging deeper conversations and a more nuanced understanding of the industry.
Budden’s willingness to stay the course on his own has sparked important conversations about creator equity and the value of independence. By choosing sustainability, audience trust, and control over maximum reach, he has helped pave the way for other creators to build on their own terms. His example has shown that it is possible to achieve lasting impact without sacrificing ownership.
Budden’s status is not merely about viral moments but about infrastructure: the right diversity of co-hosts, the timely conversations, and a culture-forward guests. By building and owning his platform outright, he has shifted expectations around who holds power in modern media and how that power can be exercised on independent terms.
Hart’s work bridges business performance and people strategy. He has led initiatives to modernize workplace culture, build stronger labor partnerships, and make diversity and inclusion a priority across United’s global operations. His leadership shows that operational excellence is built on trust, communication, and investing in people at every level.
With his guidance, United has grown programs for workforce development, community engagement, and corporate responsibility, aligning business goals with a broader social mission. His work shows how large companies can evolve while staying competitive, resilient, and accountable.
Hart’s leadership stands out for its reach. By shaping policy, culture, and corporate practice at a global scale, he is helping legacy industries move toward a more people-centered future. His influence shows that progress in business often happens behind the scenes, through systems that support equity, stability, and long-term growth.
A Voice Without Filters
Fresh off two Grammy wins for her song “Folded,” which has quickly become a fan favorite, Kehlani continues to cement her place as one of the most dynamic and socially conscious voices in modern R&B. Known for her emotional honesty, genre-blending sound, and fearless self-expression, Kehlani’s artistry resonates deeply with listeners who see themselves reflected in her music.
At the Grammys, she made it clear that her platform extends far beyond the stage. Donning an “ICE OUT” pin and using her acceptance speech to make a pointed political statement regarding ICE, Kehlani reaffirmed her long-standing commitment to diversity, social justice, and inclusion.
When she’s not laying down vocals or captivating audiences onstage, Kehlani is actively engaged in community-centered work, particularly advocating for mothers, marginalized communities, and LGBTQ+ people. Openly identifying as nonbinary, she consistently uses her voice to uplift queer and gender-expansive individuals, creating space for authenticity and representation in an industry that has not always made room for it.
In 2025, Kehlani launched “Nini’s Fluff & Fold,” a free nationwide laundry service and care package initiative. Designed to support mothers and caregivers, the program provided tangible relief in several major U.S. cities, addressing everyday needs with dignity and care. Beyond domestic efforts, Kehlani has raised more than $555,000 for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has donated thousands to LGBTQ+ centers across the country to support youth, including those facing housing insecurity.
Through both her music and her activism, Kehlani continues to lead with compassion, courage, and intention—proving that artistry and advocacy are not separate paths, but powerful partners.
Centering Christ in Comedy
Kevin Fredericks, widely known as KevOnStage, is one of those rare creators whose rise proves the true power of the internet—and he has never shied away from owning that journey.
With more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram and 1.4 million on TikTok, the award-winning comedian, actor, and cultural content creator posts content daily, building a loyal and deeply engaged audience across platforms. His work spans sketches, live streams, stand-up comedy, podcasts, and digital series—and his approach stands apart in an era where shock value and vulgarity often dominate comedy.
Rather than sacrificing his morals, values, or faith for virality, KevOnStage has made them central to his brand. His consistently clean, relatable humor pulls from modern cultural moments, everyday mishaps, and shared experiences—all through a wholesome lens rooted in Black culture, family, faith, and growing up in the Black church.
KevOnStage is also the host of the “Not My Best Moment” podcast, where he sits down with athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and public figures to unpack their biggest missteps—from the not-so-great moments and bad decisions to the lessons learned. The podcast offers refreshing honesty and vulnerability in a time when comparison culture makes it easy to feel behind or inadequate.
Beyond his own success, KevOnStage is deeply committed to creating opportunities for others. Through KevOnStage Studios, a multi-channel digital operation, he has built a platform that not only showcases his original projects but also uplifts seasoned and emerging Black comedians, writers, and creatives.
In every lane he enters, KevOnStage continues to redefine what success in comedy can look like.
Dancing Gracefully
Through Barriers
Misty Copeland retired from professional ballet in December 2025, but her legacy—cemented in history as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015—will live on for generations.
Her career has not only redefined excellence in ballet but has also become synonymous with perseverance, representation, and possibility for aspiring dancers of all backgrounds.
Throughout her decades-long career, Copeland has done so much more than showcase extraordinary talent. Her work has consistently challenged the lack of diversity in ballet, reshaping perceptions of who belongs on the world’s most prestigious stages.
In 2021, she founded the Misty Copeland Foundation with a mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in dance by making ballet more affordable, accessible, and welcoming. The foundation also uses the arts as a powerful tool for social justice, confidence building, and self-expression.
She also created the BE BOLD program (Ballet Explorations, Ballet Offers Leadership Development), offering free, high-quality after-school dance instruction to children in underserved communities, with a special emphasis on supporting BIPOC youth.
Though Copeland may have stepped away from the stage, her work is far from finished. The Celebrating Misty Campaign, a one-year, $1 million fundraising initiative running through September 2026, continues to fuel her vision and expand her reach.
Through education, advocacy, and intentional outreach, she continues to ensure that ballet becomes a more inclusive art form—opening doors and shaping futures, one dancer at a time.
A Career Defined
By Evolution
Will Smith continues to do it all.
An award-winning actor, rapper, and film producer, Smith boasts more than 35 years in the entertainment industry and has cemented his status as a fan favorite along the way. His longevity is rooted not only in talent but also in his ability to evolve, connect, and remain culturally relevant across generations.
From sharing positive, encouraging messages and words of affirmation on social media, to surprising fans with his down-to-earth personality at meet-and-greets, to standing firmly by his family and friends in moments of adversity, Smith consistently shows up authentically and with intention.
When he’s not entertaining or inspiring, Smith is deeply committed to giving back. In 1996, he and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, founded The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation with a mission to uplift inner-city communities, support youth education, and serve underprivileged children and their families. Since its founding, the organization has poured millions of dollars and vital resources into programs designed to empower individuals and strengthen communities.
His commitment to philanthropy extends beyond the foundation—a value he has intentionally passed down to his children. Whether through storytelling, service, or leadership, Smith continues to use his platform for good.
With decades in the game and an ever-growing list of accomplishments, Will Smith shows no signs of slowing down—proving that impact, when paired with purpose, only deepens with time.