National Geographic, the iconic media organization known for documenting our world’s wonders for over a century, has unveiled an ambitious new initiative honoring individuals who embody the spirit of exploration and positive change. The “National Geographic 33” celebrates a diverse group of innovators, scientists, activists and cultural figures who are actively shaping a better future through their work and advocacy.
The legacy continues
Founded in 1888 by 33 visionaries who sought to expand humanity’s understanding of our planet, National Geographic has long represented the pinnacle of exploration and discovery. This new recognition program pays homage to that founding legacy while identifying contemporary changemakers who carry forward the organization’s mission.
A carefully curated selection process brought together editors, writers and community members from across the National Geographic ecosystem to identify individuals making substantial contributions in fields ranging from environmental conservation to technological innovation.
The inaugural class represents remarkable diversity across disciplines, backgrounds and approaches to change. Among the 33 honorees are 19 founders or co-founders of organizations dedicated to social impact and eight UN Ambassadors who leverage their platforms for humanitarian causes.
Faces of change
The list features recognizable names including actor and activist Yara Shahidi, multihyphenate artist Selena Gomez, and environmental advocate Jason Momoa. These entertainment industry figures stand alongside equally impactful but perhaps less widely known innovators.
NASA astronaut Victor Glover represents the continued tradition of exploration that has defined National Geographic since its inception. His groundbreaking work expands our understanding of space while inspiring new generations of scientists.
British-Nigerian musician Arlo Parks exemplifies how artistic expression can drive awareness and empathy around critical social issues. Her thoughtful compositions addressing mental health challenges have resonated with global audiences.
Beyond celebrity recognition, the program highlights individuals working in specialized fields whose innovations may not receive mainstream attention but whose impact is profound. These include researchers advancing climate science, advocates for indigenous knowledge preservation, and technologists developing sustainable solutions.
Foraging for knowledge
Among the most distinctive honorees is Alexis Nikole Nelson, known to her millions of followers as the “Black Forager.” Nelson has transformed how many people understand their relationship to local ecosystems through educational content about edible wild plants and sustainable harvesting practices.
Nelson’s approach combines ancestral wisdom with contemporary science, creating accessible entry points for diverse audiences to explore environmental stewardship. Her work transcends simple instruction about identifying edible mushrooms or harvesting wild herbs—it reestablishes cultural connections to land that have been disrupted through historical processes.
Reclaiming ecological relationships stands at the heart of Nelson’s mission. Her content emphasizes how human cultures have shaped plant development and how plants have influenced cultural practices in return. This reciprocal relationship offers powerful insights into sustainable living practices.
For communities with historical connections to land that have been severed through displacement or urbanization, Nelson’s teachings provide pathways to reclaim important cultural knowledge. Her work demonstrates how environmental education can simultaneously address ecological preservation and cultural heritage.
Visual storytelling drives change
The National Geographic 33 program reinforces the organization’s commitment to visual storytelling as a catalyst for positive change. Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Content, emphasizes that compelling visual narratives remain central to the brand’s ability to inspire curiosity and action.
This strategic focus on visual impact explains why many honorees excel in creating memorable imagery that communicates complex concepts. From documentary filmmakers to social media creators, the list celebrates those who harness visual storytelling to reach new audiences and drive engagement with pressing issues.
Digital innovation features prominently among the selection criteria. Many honorees have pioneered new approaches to education and advocacy through emerging platforms, reaching audiences who might never engage with traditional media formats.
Nathan Lump, Senior Vice President and editor-in-chief of National Geographic, notes that the honorees collectively represent a new approach to addressing global challenges—one that combines scientific rigor with creative communication strategies designed to inspire widespread participation.
Building momentum for global action
What unifies these diverse changemakers is their commitment to transforming awareness into concrete action. Rather than simply documenting problems, the National Geographic 33 honorees actively implement solutions and create frameworks for others to participate in positive change.
The program aims to amplify these efforts by connecting honorees with National Geographic’s global audience and extensive resources. Through feature stories, documentary projects and educational initiatives, the organization will showcase these changemakers’ approaches throughout the coming year.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration emerges as a common thread among honorees. Many have developed innovative partnerships that bridge traditional divides between science, art, business and advocacy—creating more comprehensive and effective approaches to complex challenges.
Joining the movement
The complete National Geographic 33 list is available online at NatGeo.com/NG33 and features prominently in the April print edition. Beyond simply recognizing achievement, the initiative serves as an invitation for readers to engage more deeply with these changemakers’ work.
National Geographic’s platform provides these innovators with unprecedented reach, potentially transforming local or specialized initiatives into global movements. This amplification represents a significant evolution in how the organization fulfills its mission in the digital age.
The future of exploration looks markedly different from the expeditions that defined National Geographic’s early years. Today’s most important discoveries happen across multiple domains—from microscopic cellular research to macroscopic climate systems—and often involve reimagining humanity’s relationship with our planet rather than documenting uncharted territories.
Through the National Geographic 33, the organization acknowledges this evolution while remaining true to its foundational purpose: expanding human understanding and inspiring stewardship of our world. As these 33 changemakers demonstrate, exploration today requires not just curiosity but commitment to addressing the challenges facing our planet and its inhabitants.
