RASHEED NEWSOME
Whether in his first novel, My Government Means to Kill Me, or on set as a series Showrunner for Peacock's Bel-Air, writer Rasheed Newson uses his words to make art. Take his debut book, which is described as a fierce and riveting queer coming-of-age story, following the personal and political awakening of a young gay Black man in 1980s New York City. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002, Newson’s held several film and TV production positions—and he has an ID badge from every studio to prove it. This year, he joined the Board of Directors at Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. Newsome clearly understands the art of storytelling. —K.M.