We Speak Events
IMPACT Magazine Hosted The Women Of IMPACT Honorary Power Dinner Weekend Honoring Kandi Burruss

Atlanta, GA – March 28, 2018 – On Sunday, March 24, 2018, Editor and Chief of IMPACT Magazine, Tunisha Brown, hosted the third Women of IMPACT Honorary Power Dinner Weekend with special guest of honor, Grammy Award Winning Artist, Media Mogul, Entrepreneur, and Television Star, Kandi Burruss. The event took place at the elegant Ritz Carlton and was beautifully decorated by P Scott Events based out of Trenton, New Jersey. Honorees and attendees also experienced fine dining and complimentary drinks throughout the evening, with entertainment by violinist, Angelina Sherie and music by DJ Naturel. Honorees received a special customized semi-precious stone necklace encrusted with Swarovski crystals from Omoyeni. Sponsors for the event included: Young Living Essential Oils, Le Luxe Beauty Studios, SHEDAVI, Hollywood Glam Hair Extensions, and Gwennetta Wright Enterprises. The dinner was preceded by the Women of Impact Beauty Lounge on March 24, 2018 which took place at The League Tavern (located at 30 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30308). At the beauty lounge honorees, sponsors, and guests were treated to body treatments by Massages By Mac featuring essential massage oils of Young Living Essential Oils, shopped fashion with Lady Lisa’s Chic Boutique. This event served as an official company launch for Luxe Platinum Label. In addition to the official photographer, Tiara Marei, premier media outlets in attendance included TV One’s Sister Circle, Hello Beautiful, Rolling Out, Sheen Magazine and over 20 more of Atlanta’s premiere media outlets.
For 11 years, IMPACT Magazine has been delivering news to empower, encourage, and to educate its readers to desire a greater life. Tunisha Brown specifically selected Kandi Burruss as the Guest of Honor because she is a powerhouse in her own right and shows what it truly means to be a woman of IMPACT. The full list of honorees included:
Multi-Media Personality, Rashan Ali
CEO of PPM Agency, Kim Blackwell
Three Time Olympian, Hazel Clark
Celebrity Hairstylist, Jasmine “RazorChic of Atlanta” Collins
Former President Barack Obama Administration Social Secretary, Deesha Dyer
Activist and Actress, Ernestine Johnson
CEO of 13th & Joan Publishing, Ardre Orie
Author and International Speaker, Koereyelle
Other honorable guests in attendance included Television Personality and mother of Kandi Burruss, Joyce “Mama Joyce” Jones and Actor and Author, Stevie Baggs Jr.
“I love to see women and business owners come together, network and support one another. It’s an honor for IMPACT Magazine to hostThe Women of IMPACT Power Dinner series because I get to show the importance of celebrating the phenomenal work of other women in different industries from all across the nation.” explained Tunisha C. Brown, Editor-In-Chief. The private celebratory dinner highlights those women whose values are in line with IMPACT Magazine’s mission and purpose is to empower, encourage, and to educate.
IMPACT Magazine will soon announce the next IMPACT dinner set to take place in June 2018. For additional information about the Women of IMPACT Dinner series visit www.TheIMPACTMagazine.com. For media inquiries for Tunisha Brown please contact PRTeam@epimediagroup.com.
contact PRTeam@epimediagroup.com.
(Mama Joyce, Kandi Burrus, Kim Blackwell)
(Kandi Burruss)
(Koereyelle, Rashan Ali, Ardre Orie)
(Ardre Ore)
(Angelina Sherie)
(Kandi Burrus & Tunisha Brown)
(Honorees & Sponsors)
(Young Living Essential Oils & Brand Ambassador Stevie Baggs)
About IMPACT Magazine
Seeing the need in her community for positive imagery, Tunisha C. Brown, began the journey of bringing forth IMPACT Magazine. IMPACT Magazine is a lifestyle print and digital publication. IMPACT’s mission is to empower, encourage, and to educate readers through the power of images and words. Since its inception in 2007, IMPACT has been recognized for its intellectual, innovative, and revolutionary coverage of the community.
As the Editor, Tunisha believes magazines should get to the heart of a story; to understand and to communicate the root cause of a thing. To be the curator of each issue as if it’s a cultural time capsule is the desire of IMPACT Magazines focus. Brown has created a team of a great designer and writers who are hungry for their words to make a change in the communities it serves.
IMPACT has had the honor of speaking on issues with some of today’s influential thinkers and doers. Grammy nominated artists R&B Diva Angie Stone/Musiq Soulchild (The Husel)/Chrisette Michelle, NAACP Image Award Winner and actor Malik Yoba, and media mogul Karen Civil have all graced the cover of IMPACT Magazine.
2014 brought about a change for the number one urban inspirational publication. Well known for its events, IMPACT Magazine evoked on a journey for the reader to have a live experience with the cover features; wherein ‘IMPACT Magazine Presents: Cocktails & Conversations’ came to life!
Cocktails & Conversations launched in Atlanta, GA with Grammy Nominated R&B Diva, Angie Stone with approximately 200 guests in attendance. From the initial event, Cocktails & Conversations has expanded to include over 100 partners, including sponsors, bloggers, small businesses, and other industry professionals.
2015, IMPACT Magazine partnered with BE100 Radio where Cocktails & Conversations had a featured segment on the station. BE100 Radio is owned by music mogul and Love & Hip Hop ATL star, Debra Antney. The internet radio station is number one for indie artists and heard in over 36 countries.
2017, Tunisha decided to celebrate women who are making an IMPACT in their respective communities during IMPACT’s 10-year anniversary dinner where Karen Civil was the guest of honor. From the initial dinner, the Women of IMPACT mantra has become a movement hosting events in various states for women to attend the dinner not only to be honored, but to be in a space where talks to support each other will be initiated.
Tunisha’s passion is to awaken those to an understanding of the power they have within. To use their strengths to take charge of their lives and the communities that surrounds them. She brings her gift of inspiration to every reader, sharing her remedy for embracing the best application, both personally and professionally. Through this action, it will aide in finding the fulfillment and success in life to be an effective IMPACT to someone else.
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

(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.
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.
-
We Speak Football1 week ago
Eagle Rising: Freshman Linebacker Kaden Lewis Ready To Make Immediate Impact For North Clayton High School
-
We Speak Volleyball4 days ago
Serving Up Power and Positivity: Spotlight on Volleyball Standout Hannah Edgeworth
-
We Speak Football3 days ago
Driven by Purpose: Damari’aee Barrington Prepares to Dominate as a Freshman and Inspire Others
-
We Speak Football1 week ago
Grinding For Greatness: Inside Hudson Schneegold Elite 7v7 Journey