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, two 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, USC 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.”
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.
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.”
Forbes also included USC alumni Heran Mamo on its 30 Under 30 class of 2026. Mamo is Billboard’s first dedicated writer to African music and has served as the publication’s senior R&B/Hip-Hop/Afrobeats writer since 2021.
Mamo graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from USC in 2019. During her time in the Annenberg program, she 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.