Being named a Future Icon is more than just a title, it’s a definitive badge of honor for the next wave of Black excellence. After a groundbreaking inaugural year, GU and Rich Little Brokegirls are back, expanding our search for the future’s A-list trailblazers defined by substance and impact. These are the innovators, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs who are redefining their fields, from revolutionary content creation to groundbreaking tech startups. They aren’t famous for being famous; they’re famous for the powerful legacy they’re building right now. Get ready to meet the 2026 class of young women set to redefine what it truly means to be a Future Icon.
Maya McHenry is a powerhouse in Public Relations, renowned for her ability to transform emerging startups and high-growth companies into industry leaders. With a focus on strategic storytelling and crisis management, she is the essential communications strategist behind the next wave of tech, finance, and social impact executives, expertly shaping the public conversation.
Krystal E is a pivotal strategist at Spotify, working at the intersection of music, technology, and culture. She is instrumental in shaping the platform’s content landscape, ensuring creators, particularly those from underrepresented communities, have equitable access to global audiences. Krystal is a key figure in how the world discovers and consumes the next wave of audio.
Jaz Turner is the leading voice of the “Soft Life” movement, leveraging her massive social media platform to inspire women to prioritize self-care, boundaries, and authentic well-being. By blending aspirational lifestyle content with actionable “glow-up” advice, she has built a supportive community focused on personal development, financial health, and living an elevated life.
As one of the most dynamic and inclusive voices on Twitch, Zoe Spencer is pioneering what a modern digital community looks like. By blending engaging gameplay with relatable personal chats, she has cultivated a massive, supportive following. Zoe is a true trailblazer, normalizing diverse perspectives and making the digital entertainment space welcoming to all.
A dynamic force in finance, Nina Meyers is a Growth Equity Investor at Goldman Sachs and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. She spearheads the firm’s $10 billion One Million Black Women initiative, directing capital toward affordable housing, education, and healthcare. Nina is redefining investment as a powerful tool for large-scale, equitable social change.
A triple Olympic gold medalist and Harvard-educated neurobiologist, Gabby Thomas embodies the multi-hyphenate icon. Beyond shattering track records, she is actively shaping the future of women’s sports as an owner-advisor for the female-centric Athlos league, proving that excellence in athletics and public health advocacy are two sides of the same powerful coin.
At just 21, Marley Dias is the founder of the viral #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign and a powerful literary advocate. From a passionate student to a compelling voice against book banning, this Harvard scholar is driving cultural consciousness and ensures that diverse stories remain accessible, inspiring the next generation of readers and activists.
Emira D’Spain is a digital trailblazer who uses her influential platform to champion authenticity and inclusion. As one of the first Black transgender women to sign with Victoria’s Secret, she has helped rewrite the rules of the beauty industry and the creator economy, showing that genuine self-expression is the most powerful and luxurious brand of all.
A first-generation college graduate from NYU with a degree in Music Business, Riley Burruss is now carving out a future as a major legal and business force. As a breakout star on Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, she is publicly documenting her rigorous preparation for the LSAT and her goal to earn a dual law and business degree to become a leading entertainment lawyer, proving her ambition extends far beyond the spotlight.
