The 2026 Red List Sample
Five people the panel chose this year, from a slate of six. Each was nominated by a member of the public and read by an independent panel.
Published January 5, 2026.
This is a sample, to show how a Red List looks. It is not a real Red List.
- Under 30
- Arts and culture
- Business
- Science and medicine
- Service and community
- Sport
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Dearborn, MI
- Houston, TX
Arts and culture
Layla Hassan Sample
A playwright who runs a theater for teenagers in Atlanta
Business
Tariq Bell Sample
A founder of a supply cooperative for small bakeries in Chicago
Science and medicine
Yasmin Qadri Sample
A researcher who teaches cleaner water testing to schools in Michigan
Service and community
Hana Mirza Sample
An organizer of a volunteer tutoring network in Houston
Sport
Omar Siddiqui Sample
A coach who grew a girls' basketball program in Houston
How they were chosen
Members nominated them. An independent panel, which declared its conflicts of interest first, scored every nominee on impact, excellence, service and momentum, then decided. A place on the list is never for sale.