We are thrilled to announce that American writer, producer, actress and entrepreneur, Issa Rae, will be honoured with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at The Fashion Awards 2024 (TFA), which will take place on Monday 2nd December at the Royal Albert Hall, London. TFA 2024 presented by Pandora is the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and celebrates the role of fashion at the intersection of culture and entertainment, spotlighting creative talent and telling the stories of the year in fashion. The Award will be presented to Rae on the night by friend and fellow INSECURE co-star, Nigerian-American actress, Yvonne Orji.
The Pandora Leader of Change Award celebrates a person who leads with innovation to create positive change globally. They consistently challenge the status quo. Their work is empowering, progressive and forward-thinking. They use their platform positively shifting perceptions as a result of their deep commitment to moving the dial when it comes to authentic representation.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council: “We are thrilled to honour Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at The Fashion Awards 2024. Rae’s work has inspired and resonated with people all over the globe, and she is a fierce advocate for civil and women's rights movements, always championing equality and social justice in her acting and writing. She consistently uses her platform to spotlight the lack of diversity in Hollywood and call for more representation in the industry, including seeing people of colour behind the scenes. She is wholeheartedly committed to moving conversations forward and bringing voices to life that are usually absent and underrepresented in order to open doors for others. She truly embodies the principles of this Award and we are so excited to celebrate her in December.”
Rae first received attention for her award-winning web series and the accompanying New York Times best-seller, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Rae created the web series to address the lack of representation of Black female characters on screen. She created and starred in the Peabody-award-winning HBO series, INSECURE, which garnered her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. INSECURE was celebrated for its authentic representation of Black love and relationships. In 2020, Rae formed HOORAE, a multi-faceted media company that develops content across mediums in an effort to continue to break boundaries in storytelling and representation.
Rae's commitment to South LA is evident in both her personal and professional pursuits, from establishing roots near her childhood home to positioning the HOORAE headquarters in the community’s centre. Her participation in the non-profit organisation Destination Crenshaw furthers her mission of celebrating Black Angelenos and her ownership in Hilltop Cafe + Kitchen provides much-needed jobs and opportunities for local residents as well as a space for creatives to unlock their potential. Additionally, as co-owner of the Black owned and operated vegan hair care line, Sienna Naturals, Rae intends to continue to reimagine Black wellness and beauty.
Berta de Pablos-Barbier, Chief Marketing Officer, Pandora: "Issa Rae truly embodies the spirit of the Pandora Leader of Change Award. In this, our second year presenting the award, we are honoured to celebrate a woman whose love for her craft and her community shines through in every multidimensional character she brings to life. Through her work acting, directing and producing, Issa amplifies creative voices from her community and beyond, inspiring authenticity and championing inclusivity. Her passion and purpose make her a natural choice for this award, aligning beautifully with our values at Pandora, where love is always at centrestage. Issa’s dedication to meaningful change and uplifting others makes her a remarkable leader of change, and we are so proud to honour her."
Actress and comedian Yvonne Orji will present the award to Rae. Orji is a close friend and co-star of Rae, best known for her role on INSECURE. Rae and Orji’s friendship is a shining example of female empowerment, friendship and community, making Orji the perfect choice to present the Award.
TFA is the primary fundraiser of the BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1185152), which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. The generosity and commitment of partners, suppliers and supporters is more vital than ever. Please help us by acknowledging their support for The Fashion Awards 2024 presented by Pandora alongside our Official Partners: 1664 Blanc and The Peninsula London. For information on ticket sales, please visit here. For Table and Box enquiries, please email adam.mace@britishfashioncouncil.com.
EDITORS NOTES
Rae has also made her mark on the big screen, co-starring in Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE, which dominated theaters as the biggest box-office hit of 2023; SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, Sony’s highest-grossing animated release in history; and the award-winning AMERICAN FICTION. Rae’s company HOORAE is comprised of Media for film, TV and digital; Raedio, the music label and music supervision company; ColorCreative, its management division; and FÊTE, its marketing arm. Rae recently launched Viarae Prosecco, a sparkling wine representing the freedom to let loose and be authentic.
Yvonne Orji is a close friend and co-star of Rae, best known for her role on INSECURE for which she received nominations for an Emmy Award and three NAACP Image Awards. Dedicated to philanthropy, Orji has volunteered in Liberia, with Population Services International, an NGO that utilises social marketing in the adoption of healthy behaviors.