|
Ten years …120 months … 3,652 days … however you wish to mathematically break it down, the past 10 years for rolling out have been a continuous thrill ride. Over the years we’ve learned about the strength in unity, the importance of faith, and most importantly, the power of vision. When publisher Munson Steed initially set out on this journey, the mandate that he gave a small, but talented core group of people was the need to create a publication that spoke to the essence of black America in a heartfelt and meaningful way. In the end, the group would succeed in that mission, and rolling out soon thrived. As a result of those early triumphs, the future generations of rolling out have been able to take that torch and expand on that initial vision.
To honor the power moves made by the rolling out brand throughout its impressive 10-year history, it seemed natural to salute the movers and shakers in the entertainment industry who embodied the same spirit found in our publication. From industry executives to actors and musicians, rolling out’s Power 100 is a compelling list of individuals who have not only accomplished impressive feats in their respective fields, but who also possess an enduring quality that has allowed them to sustain their success over a significant period of time.
While the competition was stiff, and the list incited hours of passionate arguments, in the end there could only be one person worthy of laying claim to our top spot. Not only is this person considered royalty, but the paychecks that he commands are fit for a king.
Read the full list.>>
100 Most Influential People in Entertainment
|
|
![]()
1. WILL SMITH |
![]() |
|
Position: Actor, Rapper, Movie Producer
Power Move: With an impressive streak of movies that not only opened at No. 1, but also crossed the $100-million-dollar threshold, the name Will Smith is money in the bank. People magazine recently labeled Smith as “the biggest celebrity in the world,” and one would be hard-pressed to find any credible person to disagree with that assessment.
WHY HE’S NUMERO UNO
We could argue the numbers alone when debating Will Smith’s position as our most powerful person, but this former Fresh Prince brings so much more to the table than just the revenue that he generates. With an incalculable amount of mainstream appeal, Smith possesses humility and an unmatched amount of compassion that we often wish could be found in more of today’s stars. Here’s more fodder for our argument.
As Smith tirelessly traveled across the country to promote his latest flick Seven Pounds, he made it painstakingly clear that he didn’t want to only attend press days in New York and Los Angeles. Instead Smith traveled to Dallas; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; and a host of other smaller cities to not only raise money for charity, but to also infuse those communities with hope. On a chilly November night in Dallas, Smith stood before a group of passionate onlookers, and made the following plea. “I want everyone here to try their best to always help their fellow man,” he urged. “In everything that you do, try to figure out some way that you can make someone else’s life better. That’s the vow that I have made to myself, and I hope that you will join me in that. Together, we can make the world a better place.”
Now that’s worthy of rolling out’s top spot any day of the week.
|
|
