Every year, Forbes Magazine recognizes what it believes to be the 30 most influential individuals under the age of 30 across varying industries and platforms. This year, three USC alumni added their names to the list in the media category.
“I didn’t expect it at all, and I actually found out in the middle of our news broadcast,” said Tyrah Majors, Annenberg class of 2019.
With two Emmys and a Golden Mike Award already under her belt, Majors added the Forbes 30 Under 30 list to her many accomplishments on Tuesday morning.
Majors now serves as the lead on-air anchor for KOMO News, an ABC affiliate in Seattle, and a professor at Seattle University, where she has spearheaded the creation of two new courses focused on mobile storytelling and social media for journalism. She is also the author of the children’s book “Grammy And Me” and created the digital talk show “Major Moves,” where she spotlights millennial entrepreneurs.
Majors expressed that she attributes her winning to her consistency throughout her college years, reaching for every opportunity both within and outside of her comfort zone.
“Some people might frown at this idea, but I think I made a very conscious choice to not really take any breaks,” she said. “A lot of my friends were taking summer vacations in Europe or studying abroad. I said, ‘Nope, I’m gonna go straight to grad school.’ Then after that, it was my first market in Bakersfield and TV news, and then right after that, coming to Seattle.”
Forbes also named Ellice Ellis, class of 2020, to its “30 Under 30” list for her work expanding the reach of “Therapy for Black Girls,” a podcast and digital wellness platform centered on Black women’s mental health. Since joining the organization four years ago, Ellis has advanced from production assistant to director of podcasts and digital content, overseeing weekly programming, social media strategy and the launch of new initiatives, including a Patreon and YouTube channel.
Ellis said the recognition is meaningful not only on a personal level, but for the independent, community-driven media spaces she works in. “We are a small, Black-owned organization, and I think it shows you can build a career that serves your community and still be acknowledged for it,” she said.
Reflecting on the announcement, Ellis said being named to the list was both exciting and affirming. “For lack of a better term, it’s really just cool,” she said. “I always imagined things like this, but I also wondered if recognition would come because I’m at a smaller, Black-led organization. This feels like a yes for people who are doing the work in those spaces.”
Ellis attributes part of her success to storytelling to her time at USC Annenberg, where she said she gained both an editorial skill set and an understanding of journalism as a business. She views podcasting as “the new frontier of journalism” and said that while Therapy for Black Girls is not traditional reporting, it still operates with journalistic principles. In addition to her work in audio, Ellis has written for national publications including Teen Vogue and Rolling Stone, which she said reflects her commitment to “doing work with integrity that helps people and is a part of truth-telling.”
Forbes also honored Heran Mamo, class of 2019. Mamo is Billboard’s first dedicated writer to African music and has served as the publication’s senior R&B/Hip-Hop/Afrobeats writer for several years.
Mamo graduated with a degree in journalism from USC in 2019. During her time in the Annenberg program, Mamo was an editorial intern at Billboard.
“Authentic, diverse reporting on Black music and culture for the diaspora is the professional legacy I want to leave,” Mamo said in an interview with Forbes.
Reflecting on her days in the Annenberg Media Center, Majors advised Trojans entering the journalism field to look for opportunities early, utilize the USC connections and to not be afraid of the journey to come.
Ellis encouraged students to remain open to unconventional professional paths, noting that journalism skills “can translate into spaces you might not expect, including podcasting and independent media.”
Ellis added that she hopes the Forbes honor draws attention to the rigor behind mental health storytelling. “These conversations aren’t frivolous — and it’s important that people see Black women leading that work.”
As for her personal journey, Majors hopes to continue as an educator at Seattle University, teaching the next generation of journalists, while continuing to tell her community’s stories.
“We’re in this business to give a voice to people who might not have a voice, or to tell stories that might go unheard,” Majors said. “I want to keep on doing that.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated after publication to include an interview with Ellice Ellis. The original story only acknowledged the inclusion of Tyrah Majors and Heran Mamo.