Culture Creators Announces 4th Annual Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch

Culture Creators  will host its fourth annual  “Innovators & Leaders”  Awards Brunch  at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in the International Ballroom on  Saturday, June 22, 2019 —as announced today by Variety .

The event welcomes corporate partners such as  Hilton ,  Don Julio Tequila ,  Pepsi , and  Lexus . The exclusive invite-only gala maintains its status as one of the most sought-after and influential moments of  BET Awards Weekend  for four consecutive years and running. Once again, 2019 sees the event expand and evolve 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.

Endeavoring to recognize   “Innovators & Leaders”   whose influence sets the pace for everything from entertainment and finance to activism and art, the new vanguard of risk takers takes center stage at the event. In 2016,  Andre Harrell  received the first Icon Award, followed by  Russell Simmons in 2017 and  Sylvia Rhone in 2018. Actress  Tiffany Haddish  received the Innovator of the Year award in 2017. Past honorees include the likes of  Jemele Hill ,  Kevin Liles ,  Kenya Barris ,  Jason Bolden, Ethiopia Habtemariam, Brickson Diamond, Charlamagne Tha God, Charles D. King, Tiffany Hasbourne, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, Jesse Collins, Angela Rye , and many others.

On Friday, June 21st, Culture Creators will also host its first-ever, day-long  “C-Suite” event. The “C-Suite,” held at the Stardust Penthouse at The Beverly Hilton, will feature  “Candid Conversations on Culture,”  with curated panels by  Amber Grimes , The Brownie Agency , Vibe’s  Datwon Thomas , and more.

In a recent interview with  Forbes ,  Culture Creators  founder  Joi Brown  spoke the mission and vision, “ We create the culture behind the scenes that the world consumes. Imagine if we all worked together, became narrators of our own stories, built a supportive inclusive community that made room at the table for those who are ready?”

Culture Creators  has done just that and will continue to do so. Watch these “Innovators & Leaders”  thrive this year and beyond.

The list of 2019 honorees follows:

Innovators & Leaders Awards 2019

Icon Award
Byron Allen
Founder, Chairman, CEO
Entertainment Studios

Innovator of the Year
Marsai Martin
Actress, Film Director, Producer

Social Action “GAME CHANGER”
David Gross & Steve “O” Carless for Nipsey Hussle

Film & Television
James Lopez, President Will Packer Productions

Business
Tiffany Warren,
Senior VP, Chief Diversity Officer for Omnicom Group
President, AdColor

Technology
Morgan DeBaun, Founder & CEO Blavity Inc.
Iddris Sandu, Architect & Entrepreneur

Finance
Phyllis Newhouse
Founder & CEO of Xtreme Solutions, Inc. and Founder of ShoulderUp

Music
Quality Control Music: CEO Pierre “Pee” Thomas and COO Kevin “Coach K” Lee

Fashion
Antoine Phillips
Vice President, Brand and Culture Engagement, GUCCI

Sports
Alexys Feaster
Senior Director Player Development, NBA

Art
Simphiwe Ndzube