Issa Rae
Issa Rae’s star continues to shine brighter and brighter. The genius behind Emmy-nominated television seriesInsecureand web series Awkward Black Girl will be receiving the 2022 Producers Guild of America (PGA) Visionary Award. PGA’s presidents Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher made a statement about choosing the actress as the next recipient of the prestigious award. “Issa makes us excited for the future of television,” the statement said.
“With her series Insecure, she achieved the highest levels of comedy, perspective, and performance possible, and her sharp wit and distinct voice will undoubtedly continue to drive quality entertainment featuring underrepresented voices.”
“Beyond Issa’s prolific work, she is a role model and inspiration to the next generation of creatives through her mentorship programs like ColorCreative, and more recently, ‘Project Greenlight.’ We are thrilled to honor Issa this year.”
Issa is in good company as past recipients include Kenya Barris, Octavia Spencer, Ava DuVernay, and more. Issa’s series Insecure is what made the Los Angeles native a household name, but she has gone on to star in other projects such as The Photograph, Netflix film The LoveBirds and she executive produced the HBO reality show Sweet Life: Los Angeles.
After ending her beloved series, she is now working on Rap Sh*t, which is a new HBO show that is about two former high school friends who reunite and try to make it in the rap industry. However, the 37-year-old actress is also making moves outside of the entertainment industry while staying true to her creativeness. Check out these moves below:
Airbnb
Between the weekend of Feb. 12-14, Insecure fans can live like Issa’s character. The writer and producer became an Airbnb host in honor of the Super Bowl being in L.A. “I became an Airbnb Host to create a stay where fans of the show can experience this for themselves. From dinner by Worldwide Tacos on game day to art from my favorite local artists on the walls – this is LA, my way,” Issa said. Guests will also enjoy panoramic views of the city and pamper themselves with haircare products from Issa’s line Sienna Naturals.
Sienna Naturals
Issa co-created haircare line Sienna Naturals with Hannah Diop, which is a line that according to the website is free of products are always free of harsh sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oil, formaldehyde, artificial fragrances, and dyes. “I think ingredients are so important, specifically thinking about how the past products that I've used have all been primarily focused on styling. I think, for me, it's been getting to the root of taking care of your hair, making sure that your scalp is healthy, [knowing the] ingredients, and making sure that you're not manipulating your existing texture or the existing oils in your scalp,” Issa toldAllure.
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
In Aug. 2019, Issa partnered with Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen owners Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos to open a second location in Inglewood. Issa made an Instagram video about the news and shared how excited she was to open a coffee shop in her neighborhood. “Coffee shops facilitate productivity in so many ways, they facilitate collaboration. I personally have done all of my writing in coffee shops. So it always disappointed me that there weren’t any that were Black-owned, people of color-owned in my neighborhood.”
Featured image by Sarah Morris/Getty Images
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