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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
Keep up with Culture Creators via their website, Instagram, Facebook and 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.
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.
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.
The first cohort of the 2021 Empowered Women honorees, including Iman, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, and Fadia Kader, are announced in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Ciroc and Combs Enterprises are proud to announce the continuation of its Empowered Women platform. Empowered Women, first launched in 2016 by Combs Enterprises women-led executive team, uplifts, spotlights, and honors an eclectic and dynamic group of entrepreneurs, creatives, and businesswomen.
This year, Ciroc and Combs Enterprises partnered with Culture Creators, a cultural connectivity organization that aims to spotlight the contributions of individuals who have shaped the global view of Black culture. To further amplify the initiative, fittingly launched during Women’s History Month, Empowered Women will honor 50 successful women and share the narratives that formed them. Championing discussions around the value of mentorship, allyship, and leadership, Empowered Women highlights the importance of celebrating the current and uplifting the next generation of fearless leaders. Honorees represent five categories including social impact, technology, entertainment, art and style, and business.
Ciroc, Combs Enterprises, and Culture Creators will spotlight the honorees beginning in March and culminating this spring. The series will include custom digital content and exclusive honoree interviews shared via Culture Creators’ platforms, curated vodka cocktails, and an exclusive media partnership with women’s lifestyle publication, Elle Magazine.
“It is an honor to continue to build and strengthen the Empowered Women platform alongside Culture Creators and Elle Magazine”, says Ingrid Best, Vice President of Global Marketing, Spirits, Combs Enterprises. “As a Black woman, it is my personal and professional mission to honor those who are breaking boundaries, while also providing a platform for us to continue to do the important work of mentoring and showing up for the next generation. We hope this program encourages young, budding professionals to push boundaries and redefine the status quo in their respective industries.”.
The first round of March 2021 honorees is below, representing the industry leaders paving the way for future generations.
Empowered Women Honorees – March:
Joi Brown, Founder, and CEO of Culture Creators commented, “I started Culture Creators because I envisioned a platform that gives individuals who push the culture forward and strive for inclusion that flowers while they are still here while continuing to develop the next generation of leaders. Partnering with like-minded visionaries at Ciroc to bring Empowered Women to life marries the spirit of celebration and mentorship.”.
As part of its mission to propel Black culture, Culture Creators has consistently celebrated the accomplishments of key luminaries across a broad spectrum of industries, including entertainment, fashion, finance, technology, business, and more. The Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch, Culture Creators’ annual signature event, exemplifies this mission and has previously honored Sylvia Rhone, Byron Allen, Marsai Martin, Jemele Hill, Kenya Barris, Charles D. King, and the late Andre Harrell, to name a few. In 2019, Culture Creators launched the first-ever C2 Summit, a platform that targets students of color across all universities and provides interactive educational experiences, employment opportunities, and creates access to leaders across various career paths. Today, Culture Creators further advances its mission with the launch of the Empowered Women platform.
[Los Angeles, CA, June 23] Friday, June 24, Culture Creators gathered black culture’s most impactful and inspiring voices under one roof for the third annual Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch. This year, the event took over The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and received the support of sponsors such as Remy Martin, The Mane Choice, Morgan Stanley, and Beats by Dre.
300+ guests witnessed the honorees receive their respective awards and share stories, memories, and gratitude. Bringing the house to its feet in a roar of applause, Sylvia Rhone garnered the Culture Creators Icon Award.
Other recipients included Jemele Hill, who received the Defiance Award, Kenya Barris, Jana Fleishman, Tunji Balogun, Shawn Gee, and more. Celebrity guests included Will.i.am, DJ Khaled, Tank, Andre Harrell, Miles Brown, Essence Atkins, Luke James, Waka Flocka, and more. Once again, Culture Creators magnified the resonance of Black Culture’s Innovators & Leaders and kicked off BET weekend in uplifting fashion.
See More Exclusive Photos HERE
Images Courtesy of Getty Images
LIST OF HONOREES
Honorees: Sylvia Rhone | President, Epic Records // Jemele Hill | Chief Correspondent & Sr. Columnist, The Undefeated ESPN // Lauren Wesley Wilson | President ColorComm, Inc. // Fatima Robinson | Choreographer & Director // Brea Stinson | Owner & Fashion Designer, STINSON HAUS // Jason Bolden | Co-Founder, JSN Studio/ / Charles D. King | Founder & CEO, MACRO // Kenya Barris | Writer & Producer, Creator of “Black-ish” // Rashaun Williams | General Partner, MVP All-Star Fund // Shawn Gee | President, Live Nation Urban // Tunji Balogun | Co-Founder, Keep Cool/EVP, A&R RCA Records // Jana Fleishman | EVP Media & Strategic Development, Roc Nation // Kristi Henderson | Co-Founder, WEEN // Carlos Fleming | Partner & Head of Sports Talent Marketing, WME // Rodney Williams | CEO & Co-Founder, LISNR
ABOUT CULTURE CREATORS
Culture Creators (CC) is an organization made up of the key figures from music, technology, film, television, fashion, and much more. Culture Creators always aims to celebrate the accomplishments of minorities in various industries and how African American culture continues to thrive and impact popular culture. As part of its programming for the 2016 GRAMMY weekend, Culture Creators hosted a soiree that attracted the likes of Diplo, Chris Rock, Skrillex, Lorde, Fatima Robinson, Cory Gamble, SZA, KeKe Palmer, and many more important Hollywood trendsetters and pioneers. Culture Creators also partnered with Howard University to provide executive leadership and recruitment to aid in the diversity and inclusion recruitment of students for mass merchant retailers, advertising agencies and athletic apparel companies.
Written by McCellies Mason II
Edited by Vaughn Lowery
Photo by Krishan Narsinghani
Remy Martin and The Mane Choice presented the 3rd Annual Culture Creators Innovators and Leaders awards brunch in Beverly Hills. Attendees were treated to a wonderful brunch alongside of mimosas and pastries as the stars filtered into the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Other sponsors for the ceremony included Morgan Stanley and Beats by Dre.
The two 2018 honorees were Host and Master of Ceremonies A.J. Calloway, Mistress of Ceremonies Tanika Ray. Other award winners were: Sylvia Rhone [Icon Award], Jemele Hill [The Defiance Award], Lauren Wesley Wilson [Business Award], Fatima Robinson [Dance/Art Award], Brea Stinson [Fashion Award], Charles D. King and Kenya Barris [Film +Television Awards], Rashaun Williams [Finance Award], Shawn Gee and Tunji Balogun [Music Awards], Jana Fleishman [Public Relations Award], Kristi Henderson [Social Activism Award], Carlos Fleming [Sports Award] and Rodney Williams [Technology Award].
Other guests included: Will.i.am, Draya Michelle, Tank, Waka Flocka and Tammy Rivera, Tika Sumpter, BJ the Chicago Kid, Marsha Ambrosius, Luke James, Ray-J, Yandy Smith and Erica Campbell amongst many more.
Culture Creators was founded by Joi Brown, who is also Sr. Veep of Marketing & Brand Partnerships at Atlantic Records. “We must create a door that stays open for people of color, while reaching back and pulling forward our future generation of leaders,” Brown said in a statement to Billboard. “Our goal is to not only praise those behind the scenes who are real ‘culture creators’ but to further the conversation on diversity, opportunity, fiscal responsibility and investment, community building and dream defining. We want to ensure that we are creating space for more leaders in various industries who are empowered to be the curators of black culture and business globally.”