It’s impossible not to be inspired by all of Issa Rae’s business ventures.
In 2011, the now-39-year-old creative powerhouse gave us Awkward Black Girl, a digital phenomenon that would set the trajectory of Issa’s storied career. By 2016, the 2012 Forbes ’30 under 30′ member climbed the television ladder with her award-winning HBO dramedy, Insecure, loosely based on its predecessor. Its relatable storylines and blunt depiction of the urban community quickly became a staple in Black culture.
Additionally, Issa garnered acclaim for her roles in the 2019 film Little, alongside Regina Hall and Marsai Martin, The Photograph with actor LaKeith Stanfield (2020), Barbie (2023), and latterly Matthew A. Cherry’s animated project, Young Love, on Netflix (2023), among others. In 2022, she also birthed another HBO project, Rap Sh!t, which was prematurely canceled after only two seasons.
But… that still isn’t all to Ms. Rae. Let’s get into her entrepreneurial endeavors below.
A List of Issa Rae’s Business Ventures as of 2024
Issa Rae launched ColorCreative in 2014 alongside film producer Deniese Davis.
In 2014, Issa and Deniese Davis founded ColorCreative, a management company dedicated to expanding the diversity pool of opportunities for women/minority writers. Through ColorCreative, they have started their initiative, the Find Your People Program, an educational space for film business hopefuls.
Not too long after, Issa Rae started her record label, Raedio, in 2019.
Five years after ColorCreative, Raedio was born through a joint deal with Atlantic Records. With Issa’s iconic Insecure raps, it was only right for the lyrical goddess to crank up a music career. Only this time, she isn’t on the mic–her talents are. According to Raedio’s website, the entertainment house specializes in everything from artist development and distribution to podcast publishing and brand partnerships.
Also in 2019, Issa Rae became the co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen.
Issa’s investments go far beyond the TV screen. In 2019, she joined forces with California-based cafe Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan to open a location in Downtown Inglewood. Issa now co-owns the eatery, which has opened two new spots in Downtown LA and Eagle Rock.
Issa Rae’s sister-in-law brought her on as the co-founder of her brand, Sienna Naturals, in 2020.
Sienna Naturals is a Black-owned hair care line by CEO/founder Hannah Diop, specializing in products infused with healthy formulas to maintain a thriving mane. Hannah started the company around 2012/2013 and brought Issa in as a co-runner in 2020. Earlier this month, it was announced that Sienna Naturals was now available on Sephora’s website.
HOORAE, formerly Issa Rae Productions, has been operating since 2020.
Issa Rae Productions ran from 2012 to 2020, according to the two-time TIME Magazine ‘Most Influential Person’ titleholder’s LinkedIn profile. In 2020, Issa reimaged the growing empire under a new name, Hoorae. The media umbrella is the home of all of the public figure’s film, television, and digital endeavors.
“I now what drives me and I know what brought me in–and I remember when [executives] were telling me that they didn’t want to make my types of stories,” Issa told TIME in February.
In 2023, Hoorae welcomed a marketing branch called Fête, which focuses on increasing advertisement avenues for marginalized individuals.
Issa Rae introduced her own Prosecco in a 2023 partnership with E & J Gallo Winery.
Gone are the days when ‘Secco was only a signature sip in episodes of Insecure. Last year, news broke that Issa was launching a Prosecco brand called Viarae through premier wine distributor E & J Gallo Winery. Viarae is a sparkling, Italian white wine… “perfect for any occasion.”
“I am thrilled to share my love of Prosecco with everyone through Viarae,” Issa said in a press release. “It’s carefully crafted, deliciously crisp, and the perfect beverage to celebrate La Dolce Vita.
2024 saw the coming of Issa Rae’s newest creation, Ensemble, which works alongside Hoorae.
Established in 2024, Ensemble is an inclusivity engine for Black and brown creators. Per the website, it “brings world-class production and distribution infrastructure” that will drive the wheels of the economy for creatives in a better and brighter direction. Funded by Issa Rae, the new addition strives to be a connection tool for brands and masterminds.
Aside from this list of growing conglomerates, Issa is reportedly an investor in Lobos 1707 Tequila and has a stake in the U.S. SailGP Team.
Main Image Credit: Leon Bennett/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
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