SWIZZ BEATZ ACCEPTS THE ICON AWARD AT THE 5TH ANNUAL CULTURE CREATORS INNOVATORS & LEADERS AWARDS BRUNCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTUBE
Celebrating leaders throughout the creative community and upholding a commitment to diversity, Culture Creators hosted its 5th annual Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in the International Ballroom on Saturday, June 26. It was hosted by media personalities Tanika Ray and DeMarco Morgan, co-anchor of CBS2 News This Morning. The ceremony will be broadcast on the Culture Creators YouTube Channel on July 1st at 5pm PST/8pm EST.
Of the fifth annual Innovator & Leaders Awards Brunch, Culture Creators founder Joi Brown stated, I am so elated that we were able to come together after a very challenging year to celebrate Black Excellence. Reflecting on Culture Creators from its infancy to now is truly a testament to not only our resilience as people of color, but a reminder that we can and will continue to break boundaries.
This year, musician, super-producer, art collector, philanthropist, and co-founder of VERZUZ, Swizz Beatz accepted the Icon Award from his son and actor, Nasir Dean a.k.a. Note Marcato. His acceptance of the honor was followed by a Culture Chat that engaged attendees, moderated by DeMarco Morgan.
Actor and comedian Royale Watkins presented Derrick D-Nice Jones with the Innovator of the Year Award, while D-Nice spoke to the crowd about the idea of becoming an overnight success. D-Nice proclaimed, I’ve been in this business 35 years, this is the longest night ever, to thunderous applause from the crowd of entertainment industry titans.
Guests were also treated to electrifying performances by Jenson McRae and Yung Baby Tate.
Check out the full list of honorees, below.
In addition to YouTube, the event graciously welcomed corporate partners such as CIROC, Procter & Gamble, Coin Cloud, Lexus, and Ellis Isle Tea Company. The exclusive invite-only gala maintained its status as one of the most sought-after and influential events of BET Awards Weekend for the fifth year. 2021 saw the event expanded and evolved as it highlights the achievements of thought leaders, philanthropists, executives, entertainers, artists, and other pillars of African American culture in an intimate setting among key players.
Talent from this year’s gala included: Past Icon Honoree Sylvia Rhone, Jimmy Jam, H.E.R., Todd Gurley, Andre Drummond, Mya, G Herbo, Pink Sweat$, Jemele Hill, Shenseea, Tai Beauchamp, Sevyn Streeter, Symphani Soto, Jourdin Pauline, actor Lodric Collins, Chaka Zulu, Kosine, YSB Tril, songwriter Kameron Glasper, fashion designer Brandon BJ Gray, actor Jay Reeves, Ryan Destiny, Kenneth Faried, Sam Austins, and more!
These Culture Creators continue to set the pace for diversity in the fields of entertainment, music, sports, and beyond.
Innovators & Leaders Awards 2021
ICON AWARD:
Swizz Beatz
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR:
Derrick D-Nice Jones
BUSINESS:
Baron Davis
FASHION:
Zerina Akers
FILM/TV:
Rikki Hughes, Magic Lemonade
FINANCE:
George Wells
HEALTH & WELLNESS:
Shanti Das, Silence the Shame
MEDIA:
Cari Champion
MUSIC:
Jeff Robinson & Jeanine McClean, MBK Entertainment
SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Stefani Brown-James, Collective PAC
SPORTS:
JaVale McGee
TECHNOLOGY:
Kudzi Chikumbu, Tik Tok
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ABOUT YOUTUBE
YouTube announced a multi-year $100 million fund dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of Black creators and artists and their stories. The fund, now officially named the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, will invest with an intention: to present fresh narratives that emphasize the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice. It’s been seven months since we announced our Black Voices Fund Class of 2021, and each of our grantees has been partnered with a dedicated YouTube Strategic Partner manager who is working with them to optimize and grow their channels. More than 132 creators & artist teams across six countries have participated in our inaugural three-week Black Voices Creator Fund Incubator Camps, where industry experts covered everything from Pre-Production 101, lighting, and digital storytelling, to alternative monetization, media coaching, and wellbeing. On June 21, 2021, YouTube opened grant applications for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Class of 2022. YouTube has also worked with Project Level, The Gathering Spot and Since the 80s to launch Future Insiders, to date reaching over 180 at-risk and underserved youth aspiring to enter the music and creative industries.
ABOUT CÎROC ULTRA PREMIUM VODKA
CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka is gluten-free and distilled from fine French grapes; a process inspired by over a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship, providing a crisp, clean taste and citrus nose. Launched nationwide in January 2003, DIAGEO, the world’s largest spirits and beer company, made spirits history in October 2007 by entering into a strategic alliance with entertainment entrepreneur Sean Diddy Combs, in which Mr. Combs and Combs Enterprises assumed the lead on all brand management activities for CÎROC. The flavor portfolio includes CIROC RED BERRY, CÎROC COCONUT, CÎROC PEACH, CÎROC PINEAPPLE, CÎROCC APPLE, CÎROC MANGO, CÎROC SUMMER WATERMELON, and Limited-Edition flavor CÎROC SUMMER CITRUS. In June 2018, Sean Diddy Combs and Makers of CÎROC entered the brown spirits category with the introduction of CÎROC VS, Fine French Brandy. Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to enjoy.
ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit P&G’s website for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit their website.
