Bronner Bros. will bring together some of the most influential names in beauty, business, artistry and innovation for the second annual Beauty Icon Awards, set for Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Riverside EpiCenter in Atlanta. The black-tie celebration, executive produced by Kelly Keith, returns under the 2026 theme “Midnight Bloom,” honoring visionaries whose influence was built long before the world saw the bloom, through years of creating, building, innovating and persevering. VIVACÉ by KISS returns as Title Partner for the event.

The 2026 honorees include celebrity hairstylist, wigmaker and entrepreneur Tokyo Stylez; Carol’s Daughter Founder and President Lisa Price; celebrity braider and Braided New York founder Xia Charles; celebrity photographer and director Derek Blanks; Topicals founder Olamide Olowe; Design Essentials founder Cornell McBride Sr.; and beauty industry leader Germaine Bolds-Leftridge. The evening will also recognize Spelman College’s Cosmetic Science Program, whose expansion created the first undergraduate cosmetic science program of its kind at an HBCU. ORS will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the awards, and Eco Style Styling Gel will also support this year’s celebration.

“Black beauty has never been simply about how we look. It is innovation, entrepreneurship, artistry, identity and culture,” Keith said. “This year’s honorees represent people and institutions that didn’t simply participate in the beauty industry; they helped move it forward. And if we are going to celebrate legacy, we also have to create access to what comes next.”

Before the honorees walk the red carpet, approximately 400 students will gather at the Riverside EpiCenter for the BB x VIVACÉ by KISS presents VIVATRESS Student Summit, an immersive experience centered on education, competition, career exposure and direct access to professionals shaping today’s beauty industry. Programming will include the Fantasy Braid Competition, sponsored by the VIVACÉ by KISS VIVATRESS Braiding System, and “Beyond the Chair,” a conversation on entrepreneurship, branding, social media and career pathways featuring Cliff Vmir, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart and Evan Nicole “The Hair Guruu” Williams.

“For nearly 80 years, Bronner Bros. has been committed to advancing Black beauty professionals and creating opportunities for our community,” said James Bronner, President of Bronner Bros. The inaugural Beauty Icon Awards honored Chaka Khan, Danessa Myricks, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, the late George E. Johnson and Terrence Davidson. Tickets for the October 10 celebration are available at BronnerBros.com, with a VIP reception and red carpet at 5:30 p.m. and the main event at 7:30 p.m.

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