Michelle Obama, the daughter of a working-class family, became a first-generation college graduate at Princeton University. She went on to become a lawyer, author, and the first Black First Lady of the United States, championing education and public health initiatives.

Rihanna was born in Barbados and moved to the United States as a young artist, becoming a global music icon and self-made billionaire entrepreneur. She is widely recognized for redefining beauty and fashion through inclusive brands like Fenty.

Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian immigrant father and grew up in a working-class adoptive family. He co-founded Apple and became one of the most influential innovators of the 21st century, shaping personal computing, music, and mobile technology.

Lady Gaga, born to an Italian-American family, is a first-generation college attendee who rose to global fame as a singer, actress, and philanthropist. She has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights.

Michelle Kwan is the daughter of Chinese immigrants & a first-gen American who became one of the most decorated figure skaters in history, earning two Olympic medals, five World Championships, and nine U.S. titles. She later served in public diplomacy roles representing the U.S.

Hasan Minhaj is the son of Indian immigrants and a first-generation American who rose to prominence as a comedian, writer, and host. Known for his work on The Daily Show and Patriot Act, he uses storytelling to explore politics, identity, and the immigrant experience in the 21st century.

Dwayne Johnson is the son of a Samoan mother and Black Canadian father, representing a multicultural immigrant background. He rose from financial instability to become a global entertainment figure and entrepreneur in the 21st century.

Issa Rae is the daughter of Senegalese and Louisiana-born parents and a first-generation American creative voice. She gained acclaim for Insecure and has reshaped storytelling around Black identity, career ambition, and modern life.

Sergey Brin was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to the United States as a child, becoming a first-generation American who co-founded Google. His work helped build one of the most influential technology companies in the world, shaping how information is accessed and organized in the 21st century.

Lloyd Blankfein is the son of working-class Jewish immigrants & a first-generation American who rose to become Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. Growing up in public housing in Brooklyn, he went on to build a career in finance and led one of the world’s most influential investment banks.