Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Issa Rae

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 1, 2025

Discover the career path of Issa Rae, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Issa Rae is an American actress, writer, and producer, notably known for co-creating, co-writing, and starring in the HBO series *Insecure*. Her work on *Insecure* garnered her multiple Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations. She is also the founder of Hoorae Media, a multimedia entertainment company.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 11, 2011: Awkward Black Girl Kickstarter Success

On August 11, 2011, Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver were awarded $56,269 from 1,960 donations through Kickstarter to fund the rest of the first season of Awkward Black Girl, and released the rest of season one on Rae's YouTube channel.

2011: Awkward Black Girl Gains Popularity

In 2011, Issa Rae's web series Awkward Black Girl gained wider popularity, leading her to abandon prospects of business school and law school.

2011: Awkward Black Girl Premieres

In 2011, Issa Rae's web series Awkward Black Girl premiered on YouTube.

2011: YouTube Channel Development

Since 2011, Issa Rae has continued to develop her YouTube channel, which features various short films, web series, and other content created by black people.

2013: Development of Insecure

In 2013, Issa Rae began working on a comedy series pilot with Larry Wilmore, which was eventually titled Insecure.

2015: HBO picks up Insecure pilot

In 2015, HBO picked up the Insecure pilot and it was subsequently greenlit.

2015: The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl Book Release

In 2015, Issa Rae's first book, a memoir titled The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, was released and became a New York Times bestseller.

November 14, 2016: Insecure Renewed for Second Season

On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed Insecure for a second season.

2016: Fundraising for Alton Sterling's Family

Following the police shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016, Issa Rae raised $700,000 for the Sterling Family Trust to help pay for the Sterling children to attend college.

2016: Insecure series release

In 2016, Issa Rae achieved recognition as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the HBO television series Insecure.

2016: Fruit Podcast Creation

In 2016, Issa Rae created the podcast called Fruit.

July 23, 2017: Insecure Second Season Premiere

On July 23, 2017, the second season of Insecure premiered.

August 8, 2017: Insecure Renewed for Third Season

On August 8, 2017, it was announced that Insecure was renewed for a third season.

August 12, 2018: Insecure Third Season Premiere

On August 12, 2018, the third season of Insecure premiered.

2018: The Hate U Give Film Role

In 2018, Issa Rae starred in the drama The Hate U Give.

October 11, 2019: Google Assistant Voice

On October 11, 2019, Google announced that Issa Rae would be an additional voice to the Google Assistant.

2019: Raedio and Atlantic Records Partnership

Also in 2019, Issa Rae, through her newly launched record label Raedio, partnered with Atlantic Records to produce "Kinda Love" by singer-rapper TeaMarrr.

2019: Little Film Role

In 2019, Issa Rae starred in the fantasy comedy Little.

2020: Support for Black Lives Matter and BLD PWR

In 2020, Issa Rae and her staff supported initiatives within organizations like Black Lives Matter and BLD PWR in order to hold the police accountable and to defund the police following the rise of police brutality.

2020: Starring roles in The Photograph and The Lovebirds

In 2020, Issa Rae starred in the romance The Photograph and the romantic comedy The Lovebirds.

2020: The Photograph Release

Released in 2020, The Photograph follows the journey of Issa Rae's character, Mae Morton, and LaKeith Stanfield's character Michael Block, as the two search for the backstory of Mae's mother.