TheGrio, Allen Media Group’s African American news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform, has announced the first The Grio Awards. The black tie event will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22 with co-host comedians Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs.
The inaugural winners of the awards ceremony are expected to attend in person, including:
- Tyler Perry – Icon Award
- Norman Lear – Champions Award
- Patti LaBelle – Music Icon Award
- Kenan Thompson – Comedy Icon Award
- Ben Crump – Icon of Justice Award
- Alena Analeigh McQuarter – Young Icon Award
- Robert F. Smith – Philanthropy Award
- Allyson Felix – Sports Icon Award
- Don Peebles – Business Icon Award
- Queen Latifah – Television Icon Award
- Dave Chappelle – Cultural Icon Award
- Jennifer Hudson – Trailblazing Icon Award
The event will also feature special musical performances from Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director and DJ Kiss will serve as both DJ and announcer.
“I created the Grio Awards to celebrate and amplify African American excellence and the incredible champions of other communities who truly support us,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “As a child, strong and positive African-American icons such as Berry Gordy, Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and Martin Luther King, Jr. helped me see myself differently and changed the trajectory of my life. Celebrating and amplifying iconic individuals is something we can never do enough of, especially for our children.
TheGrio Awards aims to celebrate excellence in film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice, education and more. Allen Media Group and Backhand Productions co-produce the Grio Awards. Executive producers include Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Jeff Atlas and Michelle Willrich.
The event will also air on Saturday, November 5 on national TV channels, the Grio Network and other Allen Media Group TV and digital platforms.