5 tips from actor Issa Rae for creative professionals
When it comes to bringing an idea to fruition, actor, screenwriter and producer Issa Rae is more than qualified to give tips about what works.
An audience of 350 people at Miami Beach’s Fountainebleau hotel hung onto every word that she shared during the Possible Conference’s keynote session. The April 26-29 conference focused on helping marketers and creative professionals build their skills.
Born Jo-Issa Rae Diop, Rae has starred in films including “The Photograph” and has been a voice actor in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
But her creative business acumen has also captivated fans.
Rae, 41, created two seasons of “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” on YouTube from 2011 to 2013. That web series led to her creating “Insecure,” an Emmy-winning HBO TV show that ran from 2016 to 2021. Her media company, HOORAE, put out “Insecure” and recently launched a partnership with TikTok to create episodic content.
“I felt energized,” said Daniella Jean, a North Miami Beach commissioner. “I took a lot of notes. It was a master class.”
Here are some key takeaways:
Take risks that reflect innovation in your industry
Vertical video has captivated filmmakers from Miami, where VURT was recently launched, to Rae in Hollywood. Rae believes that creative professionals should be mindful of industry changes and take risks to reach their audiences.
“This is how audiences are viewing content. And so it’s really just a great time to be able to take risks and meet them where they are,” she said. “I’m a writer by trade. I love to tell stories. Television and film projects are my bread and butter. But micro series offer an opportunity to take risks, have direct access to your audience and have instant feedback”
Deliver work in a way that your audience gets it
Rae believes her micro series of vertical video programming can capitalize on the way audiences use their phones to watch content.. Free shows also makes programming more accessible than apps based around paid subscriptions.
“Everybody’s on their phone at the end of the day and they’re looking for great stories everywhere,” she said. “Everybody’s like, ‘I already got seven subscriptions. You can keep that.’ So to be able to offer it to them for free is also exciting.”
Create timeless work
Rae’s most renowned work is the Emmy-winning “Insecure.” The TV show, which ended in 2021, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and its mention had the room full of conference attendees cheering.
“I’m excited that people are rediscovering the series on different [streaming] platforms,” she said.
Collaborate with people and brands that align with your goals
Rae recommended that other creative professionals team up with people and brands whose missions align with their own.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than feeling like you have a collaborative partner as opposed to someone who’s just slapping a logo on or asking you to say certain talking points,” she said. “That should always be the goal. You want to feel like you’re creating something that is going to be of the moment.”
Identify how much your work resonates with a community
Rae’s work has become famous for how much its audiences are part of an extended community. Black talent and Black businesses are featured prominently throughout all of her work. Rae’s highly popular among Black audiences.
“One of the things that I constantly try to hammer home is how we’re a part of our community’s rituals and servicing their rituals,” she said. “When I think about my own personal rituals and routines, they complete me and they make me feel whole.”
This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 4:17 PM.
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