The EBONY Power 100 List dedicates every year to recognizing individuals who have made a positive impact on the African-American community. The EBONY’s 75th anniversary year was hosted by legendary comedian Wayne Brady in Los Angeles on October 23rd. Brady will not only host but he also received the Vanguard Award for his decades-plus career “as a consummate, all-around entertainer and performer,” as stated in the official press release.
“With this year’s EBONY Power 100, we knew we had to come back in a big way. Our 2021 honorees represent a diverse collective of leaders, trailblazers and powerhouse creatives in their respective industries and areas,” Michele Ghee, CEO of EBONY & JET said in a statement. “With Wayne Brady at the helm as host, I know that we are creating what will be an exciting, unforgettable evening of celebration and a milestone for the new EBONY as we culminate our 75th anniversary!”
Here are a few of the categories and nominees below:
Entertainment Powerhouse: Andra Day, Regé–Jean Page, Anthony Mackie, MJ Rodriguez, Liesl Tommy, Tessa Thompson and John David Washington
Music Impact: Big Freedia, Erica Campbell, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Derrick “D- Nice” Jones, Lil Baby, Questlove, Joi Brown, Jeanine McLean-Williams, Rapsody, Anderson .Paak and Travis Scott
Special Awards Recipients Include: Storm Reid (The Rising Star Award), Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett (Innovator of the Year); Jada Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norris (Entertainers of the Year); MC Lyte (Trailblazer Award); Deion Sanders and P&G Executives Marc Pritchard, Damon Jones and Stephanie Headley (Corporate Citizen Award).
Additional honorees across other categories include: Chloe & Halle, Nia DaCosta, Amanda Gorman, Misha Green, Trae the Truth, Cori Bush, , music legend and businessman/investor MC Hammer, the Crown Coalition (the Crown Act), Nikole Hannah-Jones, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Tamron Hall.
In addition Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis was honored with The Lifetime Achievement Award.