History of Issa Rae in Timeline
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.
January 12, 1985: Issa Rae's Birth
On January 12, 1985, Jo-Issa Rae Diop, known professionally as Issa Rae, was born. She is an American actress, writer, and producer.
2007: Stanford University Graduation
In 2007, Issa Rae graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies.
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.
2012: Forbes '30 Under 30' List Inclusion
In 2012, Issa Rae was included on the annual Forbes '30 Under 30' list in the entertainment section.
2013: Awkward Black Girl wins Shorty Award
In 2013, Awkward Black Girl won a Shorty award for Best Web Show.
2013: Development of Insecure
In 2013, Issa Rae began working on a comedy series pilot with Larry Wilmore, which was eventually titled Insecure.
2014: Forbes '30 Under 30' List Inclusion
In 2014, Issa Rae was included in the Forbes '30 Under 30' list in the entertainment section.
May 2015: Essence Magazine Cover
In May 2015, Issa Rae appeared on the cover of Essence magazine's Game Changers issue, alongside Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen, and Mara Brock Akil.
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.
2016: Mother's guest appearance on Insecure
In late 2016, Issa Rae's mother, Delyna Diop, was featured in season 1 of Insecure, playing Rae's role model in her guest appearance.
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.
2017: American Film Institute recognition
In 2017, the American Film Institute selected Insecure as one of the top 10 Television Programs of the Year.
2017: "I'm rooting for everybody Black" Quote
On the red carpet at the 2017 Emmy Awards, Issa Rae told reporters, "I'm rooting for everybody Black." The quote went viral.
August 12, 2018: Insecure Third Season Premiere
On August 12, 2018, the third season of Insecure premiered.
2018: Golden Globe Award Nomination
In 2018, Issa Rae received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her acting work on Insecure.
2018: The Hate U Give Film Role
In 2018, Issa Rae starred in the drama The Hate U Give.
2018: Time 100 List Inclusion
In 2018, Issa Rae was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
2018: Insecure Honored at Peabody Awards
In 2018, at the 77th annual Peabody Awards, Insecure was honored for "creating a series that authentically captures the lives of everyday young, black people in modern society."
April 2019: Public Appearance of Engagement Ring
In April 2019, Issa Rae first wore her engagement ring publicly on the cover of Essence magazine's issue.
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: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
In 2020, Issa Rae received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her acting work on Insecure.
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.
March 2021: Hoorae Signs Deal with WarnerMedia
In March 2021, Issa Rae's production company, Hoorae, signed a five-year film and television deal with WarnerMedia.
July 2021: Marriage to Louis Diame
In July 2021, Issa Rae married her longtime boyfriend, Louis Diame, in a private ceremony in France.
October 1, 2021: Issa Rae's Google Assistant Voice Discontinued
Issa Rae's voice was available on Google Assistant until Friday, October 1, 2021.
October 24, 2021: Insecure Season Five Premiere
On October 24, 2021, season five of Insecure premiered.
December 26, 2021: Insecure Final Episode Airs
On December 26, 2021, the final episode of Insecure aired.
2021: Insecure finale
In 2021, Issa Rae's show Insecure concluded after running for five years.
2022: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
In 2022, Issa Rae received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her acting work on Insecure.
2022: Vengeance Film Role
In 2022, Issa Rae starred in the comedy thriller Vengeance.
2022: Time 100 List Inclusion
In 2022, Issa Rae was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
2023: Starring roles in Barbie and American Fiction
In 2023, Issa Rae starred in the comedies Barbie and American Fiction and voiced Jess Drew / Spider-Woman in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
2023: Support for Writers Guild of America strike
In 2023, Issa Rae was vocally supportive of the Writers Guild of America strike.
