By Florence Mafomemeh
The inaugural “TheGrio Awards took place on Saturday in Los Angeles where African-Americans who are making an impact and amplifying the culture in their work and everyday lives were recognized.
Co-hosted by The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs, and co-produced by Allen Media Group and Backhand Productions ‘TheGrio Awards’ aims to celebrate excellence in film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice, education and more.
Dubbed ‘Byron Allen Presents TheGrio Awards’ that spanned across 12 categories, the two-hour special honored icons, leaders and legends who have made an impact in the black community and black culture.
Honorees included Dave Chappelle (Cultural Icon Award), Ben Crump (Justice Icon Award), Allyson Felix (Sports Icon Award), Jennifer Hudson (Trailblazer Icon Award), Patti LaBelle (Music Icon Award), Queen Latifah (Television Icon Award), Norman Lear (Champion Award), Alena Analeigh McQuarter (Young Icon Award), Don Peebles (Business Icon Award), Tyler Perry (ICON Award), Robert F. Smith (Philanthropy Award) and Kenan Thompson (Comedy Icon Award).
The most outstanding honoree was Alena Analeigh McQuarter, the 13-year-old Texas teenager who made history as the youngest African-American to be accepted into medical school, where she will study viral immunology.
Alena Analeigh McQuarter Receiving Her TheGrio Young Icon Award
In 2020, Analeigh launched the Brown STEM Girl, an organization that introduces what she calls other “brainiac” girls of color to mentorship, scholarships and STEM careers.
Speaking at the opening of the ceremony, Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group that owns TheGrio and the man behind the awards said it is about recognizing outstanding African-Americans.
“I created ‘TheGrio Awards’ to celebrate and amplify African-American excellence and the incredible champions from other communities who truly support us,” Allen said.
“As a child, strong, 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,” he added.
The awards ceremony was interspersed with musical tributes to Pattty LaBelle that culminated in a once-in-a-lifetime performance from LaBelle, Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah as they surprised guests with a group rendition of “Superwoman” (LaBelle’s famous collaboration with Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight.)
By Florence Mafomemeh
Black Nation News