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RAVEN-SYMONE TO RECEIVE ICON AWARD AT BETTER BROTHERS LOS ANGELES
The 9th Annual Truth Awards ceremonies will take place in Hollywood on Saturday, March 4th, co-hosted by talk show personality and Cocktails with Queens‘ host Claudia Jordan, and NBC Bay Area News anchor Marcus Washington with a musical performance by Avery Wilson
(LOS ANGELES, CA) February 22, 2023 — Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA), in association with award-winning iconic actress/activist Sheryl Lee Ralph and her non-profit organization, The DIVA Foundation, are excited to announce that groundbreaking actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Raven-Symone´ is among this year’s impactful honorees at the “9th Annual Truth Awards” on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA. The awards will stream exclusively on Fox Soul, Saturday, March 18th.
The private and ticketed black-tie affair will begin at 5:00 pm with red-carpet arrivals and a VIP reception. Claudia Jordan (“Fox Soul’s Cocktails with Queens,” “Tea-G-I-F”) will host the event along with Marcus Washington (“NBC Bay Area News”). The “9th Annual Truth Awards” will feature live musical performances from R&B singer Avery Wilson, actor-singer-songwriter Terrell Carter, and more to be announced.
“This year’s honorees continue the Truth Award’s tradition of recognizing the diversity in our community, from educators to advocates to creatives to sports figures. Our community mirrors the larger Black Community, and the Truth Awards places this example of Black Excellence on display for all to see,” said Scott Hamilton, co-founder of Better Brothers Los Angeles.
The annual event will honor trailblazing LGBTQ+ African-Americans and allies whose personal and professional accomplishments have positively impacted the perception and image of the Black LGBTQ+ red-carpet community. The Truth Awards embody the belief that members of the Black LGBTQ+ community and its allies who embrace and live their truth should be celebrated and honored.
Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA) will award over $25,000 in scholarships to students from the Los Angeles, Boston, Charlotte, and Chicago metropolitan areas this year. Fifty percent of the 2023 scholars are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Since its inception, Better Brothers Los Angeles has provided over $150,000 in tuition assistance.
Raven-Symoné will be awarded the Icon Award celebrating her iconic career through the decades and commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility. Known for her unforgettable roles on shows like (“The Cosby Show”), (“That’s So Raven”), (“The Cheetah Girls”), (“Raven’s Home”). Raven-Symoné has been a persistent presence in kids, family, and family entertainment for over three decades, particularly on the Disney Channel, where she rebooted her 2003 family sitcom (“That’s So Raven”). She has received several accolades, including five NAACP Image Awards, two Kids’ Choice Awards, three Young Artist Awards, and three Daytime Emmy Award nominations.
The Upshaws, which just released new episodes on Netflix, will receive the Cultural Affirmation Award. The series is created by Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes. The Cultural Affirmation Award recognizes television series that celebrate, encourage, and foster acceptance of Black Queer relationships, love, life, and family.
Daytime Emmy® Award-winning TV Judge, Judge Greg Mathis, is set to receive the annual Family Award, presented to a family who publicly provides unwavering love and support to LGBTQ+ family member(s) living their lives openly and unabashedly.
Social media personality Tabitha Brown will receive the Ally Award, presented to an individual who has been a beacon of support and comfort to the LGBTQ+ community through professional or personal actions and advocacy. Past recipients included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, actor Rockmond Dunbar, and Emmy Award-winning actresses Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Alongside Raven-Symone´, the “9th Annual Truth Awards” will honor Hampton’s Byron Perkins, the first openly gay HBCU football player, with the Courage Award, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost, Dr. Darnell Hunt, with the Excellence in Education Award, the Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences Dr. David Malebranche and Unique Woman’s Coalition with the Advocate Award, and STARZ Network with the Corporate Diversity & Leadership Award.
The night’s presenters will include Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), Emmy-nominated tv Judge, Mablean Ephriam (“Justice with Judge Mablean”), Jason Lee (“Hollywood Unlocked,” “The Jason Lee Show”), Jerrie Johnson (“Amazon Prime’s Harlem”), Eric Scott Ways (“The Best Man: The Final Chapters”), Geffri Maya and Rhoyle Ivy King (“All American Homecoming”), Folake Olowofoyeku (CBS Bob Abishola) and more to be announced.
The DIVA Foundation and its founder Sheryl Lee Ralph are especially pleased to continue their partnership with Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA) on this effort. Both organizations believe a healthy Black community – one where individuals are allowed to live their truth, free of shame and stigma, and are recognized as equal and rightful members of the community – is a critical piece in the fight to end HIV/AIDS. This year’s honorees were picked from various fields, including entertainment, fashion, beauty, business, finance, and media.
“The struggle continues!” said Sheryl Lee Ralph. “It’s important that we focus on supporting our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community as they continue to fight for equality. Our public acknowledgment and partnership make it possible for them to live out loud and openly for the world to see.” She added, “The Truth Awards, along with our acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, will encourage, inspire, and motivate others to live their truth unapologetically.”
The “9th Annual Truth Awards” is sponsored by Gilead Sciences, STARZ, BLK, LeadersUp, Sony Pictures Entertainment, USC Race & Equity Center, Northrop Grumman, Walmart, Columbia IRAAS, The AMAAD Institute, In The Meantime, and Nissan.
Instagram: @betterbrothersla | Twitter: @BBrothersLA | Facebook:/thetruthawards | YouTube: @betterbrothersla
ABOUT BETTER BROTHERS LOS ANGELES (BBLA)
Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA) was created to provide spaces for members of the Black LGBTQ+ community to network, socialize and be BETTER – at life, love, and community. Developing a sense of community has been a challenge for some within our community, given the cultural and religious opposition to our orientation and gender identity. As those challenges have receded in mainstream society, they still present significant difficulties and sometimes constrain a healthy sense of well-being. Since our inception, BBLA has sponsored cultural, informational, recreational, and social/networking events. We continue to invest and create opportunities that increase community confidence and pride. Visit www.BetterBrothersLA.com.
ABOUT THE DIVA FOUNDATION
The DIVA Foundation — founded in 1990 by Tony-nominated actress and HIV/AIDS advocate Sheryl Lee Ralph — is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, created as a living memorial to the many friends she lost to HIV/AIDS as an original cast member of the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls,” and because she was concerned for the threat HIV/AIDS posed to women and children. Over the years, the DIVA Foundation has worked to break the silence and erase the stigma still connected to HIV/AIDS and encourage people to get tested to know their HIV status.
We Speak Entertainment
Thirteen-Time Grammy Winner Babyface and Six-Time Hip Hop Award Winner Busta Rhymes Join 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit Honoring Music Legend Clive Davis
Benefit Marks Last Fundraiser in the Apollo Theater Before Historic Renovations. Teyana Taylor to Receive Inaugural Innovator Award
New York, NY–May 19, 2025 – Thirteen-time Grammy-Winner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will join Grammy-winning, multiplatinum recording artist Monica to present music legend CliveDavis with the Apollo Theatre’s special Legacy Award honor at the 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit on June 4 at 7:00 PM. The Apollo simultaneously announced that six-time hip-hop Award winner, Busta Rhymes all headline a special performance tribute to Davis featuring Deborah Cox, Shosahna Bean, and others.
The widely anticipated event– the last before the globally renewed 91-year-old theatre’s historic renovation –will also feature the induction of Davis into the Apollo’s Walk of Fame by Gamma Co-Founder, Larry Jackson and iconic music executive, L.A. Reid, as well as the presentation of the inaugural Innovator Award to multi-talented singer, songwriter, actor and director, Teyana Taylor.
Clive Davis is being recognized by The Apollo for his pivotal role shaping the careers of many of contemporary music’s most iconic Black artists. With a career spanning over six decades, Davis visionary leadership and unwavering belief in talent, equality and bridging gaps between audiences have left and indelible mark on the soundtrack of our lives.
“It’s a deeply meaningful moment,” said Michelle Ebanks, President & CEO of The Apollo. “To see visionary leaders and legendary artist unite on the stage–honoring the remarkable work of Clive Davis, the ingenious spirit of Teyana Taylor, and the iconic legacy of The Apollo. It will be a powerful celebration of music’s transformative influence on culture and boundless creativity that shapes our world.”
From the earliest days at Columbia Records, through his groundbreaking work at Arista and J Records, and currently, as Sony Music Entertainment’s Worldwide Creative Director, Davis has consistently championed Black artists. His keen ear and deep respect for artistry have helped launch, elevate or reenergize the careers of such legends as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Earth, Wind & Fire, Miles Davis, Dionne Warwick, Usher, Gamble & Huff, Ray Parker, Jr., Jennifer Hudson, Herbie Hancock, Fantasia, Toni Braxton, Outkast and TLC, among many others.
Davis has a special personal connection to “Babyface” Edmonds and Larry Jackson. In 1989, Edmonds cofounded Laface Records with L.A Reid through a major joint venture with Davis’ for Arista Records. The record label was a catalyst for Atlanta’s burgeoning music industry, signing renowned global artist such as Usher, TLC, Toni Braxton, and more. Davis mentored Jackson which culminated in his driving critical A&R work for RCA Music Group and Sony Music that propelled the superstardom of Santana, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin,Dionne Warwick and many more.
Other performances throughout the evening will include an opening sequence from Martha Redbone and Grammy-winning singer Avery Sunshine, tributes to the late and great Richard Parsons featuring 8x Grammy nominee, The Baylor Project, and other special features from 4x Tony nominated director and choreographer, Camile A. Brown & Dancers. D-Nice will return to DJ the Spring Benefit’s official after party.
This year’s Spring Benefit will be The Apollos final fundraiser before embarking on the first full-scale renovation in its 90-year history. The renovation marks a new chapter for the iconic theater – continuing to honor its rich legacy while bringing forward the new enhanced audience experiences.
All proceeds will support the non-profit organization’s year-round, world-class artistic, education, and community programs, as well as its commitment to articulating and projecting the African American narrative using arts and culture and creating a 21st century performing arts canon.
The Spring Benefit begins with red carpet arrivals at 4:30pm, Clive Davis’ induction ceremony at 5:30PM, followed by the Benefit concert and awards ceremony at 7:00 PM.
Watch for upcoming announcements as the Apollo unveils a thrilling line -up of special honorees and performers. Visit www.ApolloTheatre.org for more information. To purchase benefit tickets, make a donation, or for more information, visit https://www.apollotheatre.org/benefit-2025.
For exclusive photos, updates and more use hashtag #ApolloSpringBenefit and follow The Apollo:
About The Apollo
The legendary Apollo –the soul of American culture –plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artist and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York,and the world. In 2024, The Apollo opened The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theatre,making the first ever expansion in its 90-year history. The Apollo also has plans to renovate its Historic Theater. For more information about The Apollo visit www.ApolloTheatre.org.
With music at its core. The Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at The Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend The Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artist working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres–including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R. D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari, and The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For More information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.
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