Essence Magazine put together a special year-end issue with the 25 most influential and distinguished African-Americans who made a difference. Of course, President-elect Obama made top of the list. “President-elect Barack Obama’s historic win was the pinnacle of an amazing year in African-American achievement,” says the magazine’s editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. “Essence is so proud to acknowledge the top 25 African-Americans who followed suit with extraordinary steps in news, music, film, politics, activism and fashion and emerged as the game changers of 2008.”

Essence magazine’s 25 Most Influential List:

    Barack Obama – President-elect
    Donna Brazile – Political Strategist, Commentator
    Gwen Ifill – Journalist
    Valerie Jarrett – President and CEO, The Habitat Company, Adviser
     to Barack Obama
    Queen Latifah – Singer, Actress, Jenny Craig Spokesperson
    Will Smith – Box Office Titan
    Wyclef Jean – Musician, Activist
    Kanye West – Hip-Hop Artist, Producer
    will.i.am – Musician, Activist
    Tyler Perry – Writer, Actor, Director, Producer, Studio Owner
    Michel Martin – Tell Me More, Host
    Adaora Udoji – The Take Away, Host
    Michele Norris – All Things Considered, Host
    Bev Smith – The Bev Smith Show, Host
    Farai Chideya – News & Notes, Host
    Van Jones – Founder and President, Green For All
    Ian Smith, M.D. – Diet Expert, Author, Television Host
    David Paterson – Governor, New York
    Bethann Hardison – Advocate for Black Models
    Phill Wilson – CEO, Black Aids Institute
    Reverend Leah Daughtry – CEO, Democratic National Convention
    Mark Whitaker – Washington Bureau Chief, NBC News
    Candace Parker – WNBA Star
    Patrick Robinson – Lead Fashion Designer, GAP
    James Rucker – Internet Civil Rights Activist       

Who do you think belongs on this list?