iOne Digital's Creative Class: Where Are They Now?

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It’s been almost three years since iOne Digital launched The Creative Class. All of the honorees are dynamic and breaking ground in their respective industries, and folks want to keep up with them. Wonder “what’s next” or “what’s happening now” with a past honoree? We do too. Check out our round up of honorees from past, and find out what they’re doing now.

Desus and Mero, Creative Class of 2019 Honorees

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YERRRR! Comedians Desus Nice and The Kid Mero have maintained their round-the-way vibe as they’ve ascended through the industry. Beginning as cast members on MTV’s Guy Code, before launching Bodega Boys in 2015, a weekly podcast that amassed a cult-like following that landed them a show on Viceland in 2016. Desus & Mero went on to become one of Viceland’s highest-rated shows. Since being honored last year, this dynamic duo has kept true to their Bronx roots. They’re changing the world of late-night television with their authenticity now on Showtime, which premiered on February 21, 2019. They’ve hosted guests such as Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Charlize Theron, Gabrielle Union, and Bernie Sanders.

Brandi Harvey, Creative Class of 2019 Honoree

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The entrepreneur behind Beyond Her, an active wellness brand focused on women of color, offering services and tools that elevate the mind, body, and soul, has not let up since being named an honoree last year. Author and wellness coach, Brandi Harvey, has stepped up her reach. In a year filled with ongoing social justice protests decrying racism and discrimination, Harvey has concentrated on promoting Black wellness. Beyond Her is a weekly podcast that touches on health and inspiration for daily living. Along with her twin sister, Karli Raymond, Brandi also hosts Twin Talk on IG every Sunday, where they talk all things health and wellness, with a dash of humor. The daughter of legendary Steve Harvey is also the chief changemaker and executive director of The Steve and Marjorie Foundation that helps “fatherless” children and youth worldwide with educational advancement, social services, and mentoring.

Dionna Dorsey, Creative Class of 2019 Honoree

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The seasoned entrepreneur in branding and marketing made a splash with her brand, District of Clothing, landing her in the 2019 class. Dorsey has since harnessed her creativity to promote social justice despite financial setbacks brought on by the pandemic. With her branding skills, she designed a T-Shirt with a powerful call to action: Trust Black Women. It went viral. In a People.com feature following the viral design, she said, “District of Clothing is what I consider my little side hustle baby; the side hustle that’s not a side hustle. It’s very much a living, breathing, entity for me.”

Alton Glass, Creative Class of 2018 Honoree

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In a pandemic, Alton Glass’s GRX Immersive Labs, a creative studio specializing in storytelling and emerging technologies, continues to provide employment opportunities. The 12-year company is comprised of award-winning creators working in the entertainment industry. In 2019, Glass’s virtual reality experience Points of View, centered on a futuristic weaponized police force that governs the skies in 2020 Los Angeles, won at the PitchBlackcompetition. Glass first made history at the 2014 American Black Film Festival when his dramaCRU won in all nominated categories. He returned to the festival three years later with a VR movie, A Little Love, which in part landed him on the list of the creative class a year later.

Myles Loftin, Creative Class of 2019 Honoree

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You’ve seen Myles Loftin’s photography in Paper Magazine, The Cut, Refinery29, i-D, W Magazine, and more. The 2019 honoree and phenom was chosen for his unrelenting desire to redefine Black maleness through art. In 2016, his visual project HOODED went viral on social media and was later featured by Buzzfeed and Vice. The project was intended to humanize and decriminalize societal norms and stereotypes of the Black man. At just 21, Loftin, a Parsons School of Design graduate, was named to the 2020 class of Forbes 30 under 30 for his contributions to art and style. 

Click below to see current honorees.