Actor, comedian, musician, writer and director It was Atlanta that made me realise how great Donald Glover is. It was no longer Donald solo as a singer, rapper or comedian. He now had an ensemble to carry the story and communicate his perspective in a way that was elevating. It set the tone for the way I approached the podcast. Robyn Travis Author I heard him speak when he released his book Prisoner to the Streets and I saw the person I would have been if I had been through what he went through. He’s offended by the condition of the streets. He writes for the people in the situation he came from – people who need more books they can relate to. Jorja Smith Singer-songwriter and rapper I’ve known Jorja since she was 17 and she was already a prodigy. She’s an old soul – a very wise woman. I can listen to her songs and come up with scenes and backstories. She’s got a song with Maverick Sabre called Slow Down. In four minutes it feels like a movie. Hemah K Comic and presenter She released a series on YouTube called Gemma K’s Perfectly Perfect Love Life. It’s delivered in a DIY style that’s typical of this generation of online content creators. Part of the joke is that it looks like your friend has just jumped off the sofa and told a story to make you laugh. Zadie Smith Author I was 13 years old when I read White Teeth. I appreciated her depiction of the multiculturalism of our area and that’s been a theme that has continued throughout her writing. She’s a genius. Reading her work from a young age has shaped my expectation of how far our little local story can go. Mariana Mazzucato Professor of economics, University College London There are fundamental assumptions about economics that most of us don’t feel qualified to challenge, but Mariana tells a powerful story. I met her two years ago and she’s become the supervisor of my PhD, which is about redefining the flow of value from the creative Black community. Issa Rae Actor, writer and producer Insecure is a very clever, very funny show. Issa Rae makes sharp observations about relationships and the quest to find your rhythm in your 20s and 30s. Where do you fit? She talks about being a Black person trying to do right by the Black community, but constantly coming up against so much insecurity. Anne Kansiime Comedian When you see Anne Kansiime live you get a sharp insight into Ugandan society. She talks about dysfunctional institutions and the frustrations of day-to-day life. It’s just that she jokes her way through it. Without knowing the context, you can still enjoy the laughs. She’s an absolute inspiration. Michaela Coel Actor, writer, producer and director In I May Destroy You I saw a maturity of subject matter and a complex character. There’s friendships she’s neglecting, people she’s taking for granted, a deadline that she keeps missing, questionable decisions that she’s making. That’s advanced writing. Kendrick Lamar Rapper Kendrick is sorely missed right now. For our generation he’s been an antidote to what is accepted as the safe choice for the rap template. He’s helped me evolve my understanding of the psychology of rap. He’s been a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of hip-hop, and music in general. As told to Dorian Lynskey