This Black History Month 2020, meet 100 rising stars inspiring change

We still have a long way to go when it comes to conquering the lack of diversity in all industries – which is why it is so important for us, as a platform, to use our force for good.

True diversity at every level is the key to innovation and success, so we celebrate and promote Black talent throughout the year, including via our list of brilliant Black leaders. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, so we’re always looking to unearth more incredible rising stars to feature and promote, to help them get the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

This Black History Month, we’re thrilled to be releasing our annual list celebrating and shining a spotlight on 100 rising stars – as nominated by The Dots community – who are transforming the industry of today, inspiring the generation of tomorrow and making history.

Abi Wright – creative director, graphic designer & curator Abisola Omole – writer, creative director & CEO, The Apartment Global Group Adenike Oke – filmmaker Adobera Ejikeme – founder, Identity Creates Aiden Harmitt-Williams – photographer, director & writer Aisha Mohamed – junior communications & digital artist Aja Barber – writer & fashion consultant Akua Ofei – writer & creative producer Alexandra Ampofo – event curator, writer & founder, Women Connect Amy Dick – senior producer, Google Creative Labs

Anthea Agyekum – publishing & production assistant Asharn Porter – copywriter & creative Bami Kuteyi – founder, Bam Bam Boogie Dance Fitness Belinda Boakye – marketing manager, Pinterest Bola Sol – financial wellness coach Bolu Babalola – writer Bonnie Paul – creative director & photographer Brandon Taylor – writer Cephas Williams – speaker, founder & activist Chantal Azari – photographer

Chanté Joseph – host & writer Chibuikem Akata – creative director, music producer & film editor Chinasa Chukwu – creative director, consultant & entrepreneur Christel Kayibi – music industry executive Deborah Okenla – founder & CEO, YSYS Elainea Emmott – photographer Elizabeth Akanbi-Ogabi – communications director & founder, For Working Ladies Emma Case – founder, Women Beyond The Box Emmanuel Okoro – fashion designer, creative director & founder, Emmy Kasbit Emmanuel Sugo – writer & producer

Erika Brodnock – founder & CEO, Karisma Kidz Faith Aylward – photographer, director, writer & model Fisayo Longe – founder & creative director, KAI Collective Francis Augusto – photographer Gabrielle Smith – designer & cultural producer Hayley Mulenda – speaker, authoer & change-agent Ibrahim Kamara – editor-in-chief, GUAP Iddris Sandu – entrepreneur & tech innovator Isaac Izekor – copywriter Jadalia Britto – design director

Jemilea Wisdom-Baako – writer, poet & founder, Writerz and Scribez Jenn Nkiru – artist & director Jimi Famurewa – writer, editor & podcaster Jonathan Akwue – executive vice president Publicis Groupe APAC Josh Akapo – strategist & co-founder, aarchtype Julian Obubo – partner, Manifest London Kai Lutterodt – editor-in-chief, My Soho Times & founder, Diversity Matters Karen Blackett – country manager, WPP UK & CEO GroupM UK Kid Circus – photographer Kingsley 'Kalex Willzy' Williams – digital creative & Youtuber

Lashun Tines – design director Laurelle Jones – producer, director & writer Lavinya Stennett – CEO & founder, The Black Curriculum Lee Gray – presenter & influencer manager Lex Amor – writer, rapper & producer Lindsay Peoples Wagner – editor in chief, Teen Vogue Liv Little – author, consultant & founder, gal-dem Liy Grant – creative producer Lynne Egwuekwe – UX & product designer Mahadi Manyokole – community manager

Mariel Richards – CEO, gal-dem Mathieu Ajan – founder & artistic director, Bounce Cinema Matthew Kinani – photographer & filmmaker Mireille Harper – editor, author & writer Muna Ruumi – A&R manager Nana Bempah – executive producer & founder, Pocc Nancy Cofie – creative strategist & co-founder, IN-FLOW Natalie Lue – author, speaker & podcaster, Baggage Reclaim Nene Parsotam – creative director & co-founder, VINE Creatives & We Are Stripes

Ngozi Okorie – founder, They Did I Can Too Nibras Ib – UX/product designer & creative lead Nicole Krystal Crentsil – cultural curator, creative consultant & CEO, Black Girl Fest Nierodha Perera – video creative Otegha Uwagba – writer, speaker & consultant Othello De'souza-Hartley – visual artist Paul Chiedozie – actor & director Paula Abu – photographer Paula Akpan – journalist, speaker & founding director, Black Girl Fest Rami Kadri – social media campaign manager & founder, Two Tabs Social

Ramone Anderson – film & video director/filmmaker Sahra-Isha Muhammad-Jones – entrepreneur & researcher Sarah Harry-Isaacs – photographer, creative director & producer Sasha Kluvitse – project manager & producer Scott Morrison – founder & bringer of, The Boom Selma Nicholls – founder, Looks Like Me Serael Asphall – producer, writer & actor Sharmadean Reid – founder & CEO Beautystack Shenell Gallimore – creative strategist & co-founder, IN-FLOW Sheniece Charway – artist relations manager

Simone Carasco – writer & creative, Jay Genius Sophia Tassew – author, creative & founder, Khula Store Sulay Kelly – photographer Susan Jean – designer & entrepreneur Tarik Fontenelle – chief research officer, ON ROAD Theresa Lola – poet & writer Thomas J Price – sculptor Tiwirayi Magwenzi – managing director & executive producer Tolu Farinto – social entrepreneur, diversity & inclusivity champion Tré Seals – creative & founder, Seals Brand

Tsedenia Skitch – producer & social change campainer Valerie Brandes – founder and CEO, Jacaranda Books Vanessa Kingori – publishing director, British Vogue Veronica MacKenzie – writer, director & producer Victoria Azubuike – founder, Us Programme Wale Shittu – filmmaker, content producer & video editor Yomi Sode – writer & poet

With thanks to our brilliant community for nominating their rising stars and trailblazers!

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Image credits (from top)

1. Spring Beauty for Getty Images by Sarah Harry-Isaacs

2. The Neue Black by Lashun Tines & Tré Seals

3. To be Young, Gifted, Black and Queer by Darkwah Kyei-Darkwah

4. GUAP, Postscript & gal-dem

5. Gabrielle Smith for CNN

6. Women will lead, create and inspire by Amy Dick

7. Pinterest UK presents: Black Gold, A Virtual Exhibition, curated by Abi Wright

8. Celestial Dimension by Bonnie Paul

9. BITE - editorial for Coy Culture by Kid Circus

10. Poly by Ejatu Shaw