As we step into 2025, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the sixth edition of the Native Son 101 year-end list. This initiative shines a spotlight on the trailblazers, innovators, and cultural shifters who have significantly expanded representation, shattered barriers, and influenced the cultural landscape throughout the year. Each honoree reflects diverse spheres of influence, from award-winning performers and visionary designers to dedicated policy leaders, scholars, and community advocates.
The 2025 roster boasts an impressive lineup of honorees, including luminaries such as two-time Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Their contributions continue to resonate profoundly within the arts. The list also highlights Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Kaytranada, who has redefined the soundscape of contemporary music, and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning director Anthony M. Hemingway, known for his groundbreaking work. Additionally, we see R&B sensation Khalid making waves, alongside visual artist Derrick Adams, displaying the importance of representation in visual arts.
Further enriching this year’s legacy are figures such as Emmy Award-winning actor Tramell Tillman and Brazilian tennis player Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, the first active men’s professional tennis player to publicly come out as gay. Their visible achievements and courage pave the way for more inclusive representations in their respective fields, reinforcing the significance of visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
Moreover, the class of 2025 honors diverse voices from journalism and political landscapes. Journalist and show host Don Lemon has made impactful contributions to media, while Oscar and Tony Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell has captured audiences with his innovative designs. Grammy-nominated R&B artist Destin Conrad, along with author and scholar Ahmad Greene-Hayes, further highlight the multifaceted talents this year’s list celebrates. Political leaders like New York City Council member Chi Ossé and national LGBTQ+ policy advocate Preston Mitchum exemplify the importance of advocacy and community engagement in driving social change.
The brains behind this cultural benchmark is Emil Wilbekin, the founder of Native Son. He established the 101 list as a response to the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities, especially amidst the backdrop of intensified rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and growing threats to LGBTQ+ protections and racial equity. In reflecting on the year, Wilbekin noted that while the challenges were formidable, the resilience displayed by the honorees is nothing short of inspiring. Their continued efforts to create, organize, and lead serve as a powerful testament to the arts’ role in safeguarding culture and advocating for humanity.
Since its inception in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice uprising, the Native Son 101 List has evolved into a crucial cultural archive that honors Black queer men across generations. The 2025 edition, illustrated by the talented Adrian Armstrong and showcased on Native Son’s website, is not only a celebration of individual achievements but also a commitment to amplifying visibility and preserving legacy. This ongoing collection serves as a reminder of the enduring impact and significance of these leaders within our communities.