Check out various activations from Google, Fox Searchlight, FX, OWN and iOne Digital in New Orleans last weekend

Boss ladies from the Women’s Entrepreneurial Panel at The Chicory in New Orleans on June 30, 2017

Google made a big splash over the weekend with three signature events all hosted at The Chicory: a Women’s Entrepreneurial Luncheon (135th CEO Shante Bacon served as one of the speakers), a “Big Easy” Business Mixer hosted by radio personality Angela Yee, and a Black Women’s Leadership Dinner which featured an appearance by Chance the Rapper and a performance from Solange’s new neo-soul group “Ladies of King.“

Guests quickly filled the room for the Women’s Entrepreneurial Luncheon

Angela Yee welcomes the audience and later flicks it up with Mona Scott-Young and Shante Bacon at the Big Easy Business Mixer

Shante Bacon with Google staff after the mixer

(left)The setup at the Black Women’s Leadership Dinner was absolutely beautiful! (right) After dinner, guests got a chilling virtual reality experience of what it’s like to be a black man in America

Tamika D. Mallory, Symone Sanders, Nilka Thomas,

Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, Gia Peppers,

Demetria Lucas D’Oyley, Shante Bacon and Janaye Ingram all SLAYED at Google’s Black Women’s Leadership Dinner

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Click to check out the Lethal Ladies Of Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women commanding the stage at the 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9n9wi9w7o4nnlmk/20170630_142358.mp4?dl=0

Fox Searchlight’s new documentary STEP was also on the scene at the Essence Festival. The

Lethal Ladies of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women were on hand for a “Welcome To Essence” Meet & Greet reception at the Le Meridien Hotel. Press and influencers such as April Reign (Creator of #OscarsSoWhite Hashtag), Henry Hicks (President-National Museum Of African American Music), Janaye Ingram (Women’s March/AirBNB Diversity Officer), and Lolita Toney (Executive Director-National Museum Of African American Music) were in attendance.

Additionally, the STEP cast participated in the Walmart Community Parade, performed a step exhibition on the main stage at the convention center, conducted a post-screening Q&A with radio and tv personality Bevy Smith and capped off the weekend with a flash mob performance at “Salon Conversations” presented by Michaela Angela Davis and My Black Is Beautiful.

Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger and Tayla Solomon pictured with ABC Radio’s Candace Williams (left) and the #OscarsSoWhite originator April Reign (right)

The ladies of STEP are all smiles at the “Welcome To Essence” Meet & Greet

Geri “Coach G” McIntyre, STEP Director Amanda Lipitz, Paula Dofat, Tayla Solomon, Blessin Giraldo share thoughts on the power of sisterhood at the 2017 My Black Is Beautiful Experience at the Essence Music Festival

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Dennis White, Angel Love, John Singleton, Angel Saunders and Wild Wayne at the Theatres at Canal Place in New Orleans

FX Networks previewed their new drama series “Snowfall” for an intimate group of press and influencers on Saturday. Co-creator John Singleton made brief remarks; Q93 radio host Wild Wayne intro’d the screening.

Angel Love (left) and Angel Saunders (right) are “Tank’s Angels”

Wild Wayne and John Singleton kick off the screening to a full house

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Nicholas L. Ashe, Tina Lifford, Bianca Lawson, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Ava DuVernay, Ethan Hutchison,

Rutina Wesley, Dondre Whitfield, Omar Dorsey and Timon Durrett of “Queen Sugar” arrive in the press room at Essence Festival 2017 in New Orleans on Saturday, July 1, 2017

During Essence weekend, OWN brought the casts of “The Haves and the Have Nots,” “Queen Sugar” and “Greenleaf” to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center to interact with fans, screen clips, participate in interviews and discuss their respective shows on the main stage.

(left)Tyler Lepley, Angela Robinson and Gavin Houston during their Center Stage moment on Friday, June 30 with

“OWN Tonight!” host Stacey Ike; (right) Cast members spend some time with their supporters immediately after

Timon Durrett, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Ava DuVernay, Dondre Whitfield, Rutina Wesley and Omar Dorsey seen backstage before DuVernay was honored at the Woke Women Awards on Saturday, July 1

“Greenleaf” cast members Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge and Deborah Riley Draper on Sunday, July 2

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Malcolm Lee, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Larenz Tate, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Kofi Siriboe and Will Packer arrive at the private screening of “Girls Trip” in New Orleans on June 30, 2017

Photos can be viewed/downloaded here: http://bit.ly/2tx1QPm

(Photo credit: J. Wiggins)

On Friday, iOne Digital and HelloBeautiful.com in partnership with NISSAN presented a private screening of the new film Girls Trip at The Theatres At Canal Place.

The cast attended including Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Larenz Tate and Kofi Siroboe. Directors Malcolm Lee and Will Packer introduced the film. Hello Beautiful editors Allison McGevna, Shamika Sanders and Keyaira Kelly were also on hand to welcome guests.

(left) Jada Pinkett-Smith and Queen Latifah; (right) Kofi Siriboe, Issa Rae and Larenz Tate

Hello Beautiful editors Keyaira Kelly, Allison McGevna and Shamika Sanders (left); “STAR” cast Ryan Destiny, Jude Demorest, Brittany O’Grady and Miss Lawrence (right)

Big Freedia and Karen Civil

Yandy Smith-Harris and Mona Scott-Young

Recording Artists Tank and Letoya Luckett

Recording artist Elle Varner and Celebrity Stylist Ty Hunter

We Speak Entertainment

BET MEDIA GROUP HONORED BLACK LGBTQ+ TRAILBLAZER WITH A POWERFUL NIGHT OF CELEBRATION, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

FROM BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’S GROUNDBREAKING RECOGNITION TO HOPE GISELLES’S INSPIRING REMARKS– THE 3RD ANNUAL BET BLACK + ICONIC SOIREE HIGHLIGHTED THE BRILLIANCE AND IMPACT OF BLACK LGBTQ+ LEADERS

Published

6 days ago

May 28, 2025

Adavie Gutierrez

(New York, NY)– May 28, 2025 – The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée made its Washington, D.C debut with inspiring evening celebrating the past, present, and future of black LGBTQ+ excellence. The 2025 theme, “Excellence Ascending,” paid tribute to cultural change makers leading with authenticity, courage and purpose.

Hosted by entertainment journalist and Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée gathered trailblazers across activism, arts, business, and media for a powerful evening of storytelling , performance, and legacy-building.

Highlights from the BET Black + Iconic Soriée Included:

Ashlee Davis, J.D. received the Executive Realness Award for her trailblazing work in civil rights leadership, including her legacy of impact across government and corporate sectors.

Hope Giselle, a powerful advocate and author was named Emerging leader for her unrelenting work championing visibility and inclusion for Black trans communities.

Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, was honored as Active Advocate for her decades of leadership advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

Ashlee Marie Preston, a nationally recognized activist and media strategist, accepted the Creative Visionary Award, saluted for using her voice to shift narratives and build intergenerational coalitions.

Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning entertainer and global icon, received the Culture Trailblazer Award, closing the evening with a heartfelt speech about identity, freedom, legacy.

The Center for Black Equity and the Take Resource Center each received $5,000 through the BET Thrive Fund Recognition, honored for their work advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness, equity and community organizing.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Culture Trailblazer award recipient Bob The Drag Queen speaks on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Eva Marcille speaks on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Creative Visionary award recipient Ashlee Marie Preston speaks on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Arrington Foster presents Creative Visionary award to Ashlee Marie Preston on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Carter The Body speaks on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Kenya Hutton accepts an award on behalf of Center for Black Equity on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Dr. David J. Johns presents an award to Center for Black Equity and Kenya Hutton on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Avery Wilson performs on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Avery Wilson performs on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Avery Wilson performs on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Avery Wilson performs on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Hope Giselle accepts her award on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Mariah Moore presents an award to Hope Giselle (L) on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Bryan Terrell Clark presents an award to Ashlee Davis (L) on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Bryan Terrell Clark presents an award to Ashlee Davis on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Scott Evans speaks on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: (L-R) Honorees Tiyale Hayes, Ashlee Marie Preston, Kierra Johnson, Hope Giselle and Bob The Drag Queen pose for a photo together during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: (L-R) Honorees Ashlee Marie Preston, Kierra Johnson and Hope Giselle pose for a photo together during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Dr. Kendric Dartis attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Kierra Johnson and guests attend BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Tiyale Hayes attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Keith Boykin attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Arrington Foster attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Kron Moore attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Bishop O.C. Allen attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Rashad Burgess attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Derek J attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: RaeShanda Lias-Lockhart attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Guest attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Damon Jones attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Brandon Blackwood attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Bryan Terrell Clark attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Roz “Mr. Wonderful” Mugler attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: George M. Johnson attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Hope Giselle attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Hope Giselle (L) and guest attend BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Avery Wilson attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: T.S. Madison attends BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Kierra Johnson accepts an award for Active Advocateon stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: Eva Marcille (L) presents Culture Trailblazer award to Bob The Drag Queen on stage during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 24: (L-RHonorees Tiyale Hayes, Ashlee Marie Preston, Kierra Johnson, Hope Giselle and Bob The Drag Queen pose for a photo together during BET “Black + Iconic” Soirée at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on May 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images for BET)

The night also featured a soul-stirring medley performance by Broadway powerhouse Avery Wilson, fresh off stage from The Wiz revival. Presenters included Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra from Detroit, BET+), and Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+), each bringing star power and heartfelt tributes to the evening’s honorees.

“From the very beginning, we knew this couldn’t be just another event,” said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics and Co-Lead of Social Impact at BET, During his opening remarks. “It had to an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced and celebrate contributions that have shaped the world in powerful ways.”

The evening also spotlighted Gilead Sciences, a long standing partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Gilead’s Rashad Burgess, Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Health Equity, emphasized and the importance of equitable healthcare access, visibility, and long-term impact for Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Additionally, the event welcomed Truth Initiative as a new partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Dr. Kendrick Dartis, Vice president of Outreach and Engagement, addressed the urgent issue of tobacco use in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and emphasized the need for culturally relevant cessation support. He also announced a $5,000 BET Thrive Fund donation, sponsored by Truth Initiative, to Us Helping Us– a D.C.- based non profit dedicated to advancing health equity.

BET Black + Iconic Soirée stands as defining moment in the 45th anniversary year of the media group– underscoring its mission to center Black culture, honor its LGBTQ+ communities, and drive meaningful, measurable impact.

Join the conversation using #BlackAndIconic and relieve the nights most powerful moments on BET’s official social channels. The Televised premiere date and time will be announced at a later date.

ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ:PARAA;PARA), is the worlds largest media company dedicated too entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Back audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is thriving media  ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements visit bet pressroom.com.