Houston, TX – July 18, 2017 – On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 elite business development strategist, certified trainer, and speaker, Yvette Gavin will speak on Embracing Your Entrepreneurial Spirit at the third annual “Ladies That Lead Tour” in Houston, Texas. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Health Center, located at 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004. Presented by The BOSS Network®, the Ladies That Lead has been featured in Forbes, Market Watch, Inc. Magazine and more. The event highlights influential women of color who can inspire other women by sharing their strategies and journey to success. These distinguished women are leaders not only in their industry but in their community. These women set a standard for what success looks like and own their power. This event celebrates female leadership and encourages women to pursue their ambitions.
As the founder of Yvette Gavin Consulting LLC, a business columnist for Black Enterprise, and her notable work with the United States Government, Gavin proves to be one of the most qualified speakers for entrepreneurship. Gavin is an expert in growing small and large companies as well as navigating careers across changing landscapes which she proves in one of her books titled, Recalibrate! Navigating The Job Market With Confidence. She is an accomplished author, a certified Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) facilitator; a certified life coach from the International Christian Coaching Association (ICCA), and a Joe Beam Family Dynamics certified facilitator. Her overall goal is to help others achieve their highest potential in their business, spiritual, and personal life.
For more information or media inquiries for Yvette Gavin please contact PRTeam@epimediagroup.com.
About Yvette Gavin
Yvette Gavin is an elite business development strategist, certified trainer, speaker, and the founder of Yvette Gavin Consulting LLC. She is notably known for her work with the United States Government, her facilitation of relationship workshops for the U.S Consulate in Brazil, The Georgia National Guard, and her overall ability to build thriving workplaces through dynamic training programs. Gavin is known for her ability to build high-performing information technology teams that deliver exceptional quality. She has held progressive leadership roles at Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical, Delta Air Lines, AT&T, Cbeyond, and Cox Communications.
Gavin holds a B.S. in Communications from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK and is the recipient of various leadership and community awards. She received the Leadership Excellence Coin from the 78th Aviation Troop Command for her dedication to providing relationship training to Georgia’s soldiers, she is the recipient of the State of Georgia Governor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and has received numerous leadership and process improvement awards from Fortune 500 companies
In addition to being a respected business strategist, Gavin is also a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) and the Birmingham News, as well as a CNN Headline News (HLN) editor and manager of the Southeastern Bureau. She is an accomplished author, a certified Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) facilitator; a certified life coach from the International Christian Coaching Association (ICCA); and a Joe Beam Family Dynamics certified facilitator. In addition to writing Recalibrate! Navigating The Job Market With Confidence, she also authored What to Do After You Say I Do, combining her passion and experience of building thriving workplace and personal relationships. As a relationship expert Gavin has spoken at multiple conferences and appeared on numerous radio and television programs as an advisor. The Georgia National Guard Chaplaincy Corp bestowed upon Gavin the Exemplary Performance Award while serving as an instructor for the Strong Bonds Marriage Conference. Her overall goal is to help others achieve their highest potential in their business, spiritual, and personal life.
Gavin’s career and life’s work covers a broad spectrum of success that speaks highly of her talent and commitment to excellence. Remaining consistent with her deep conviction and passion to help others grow; Gavin is currently accepting opportunities as a keynote speaker for female empowerment and inspirational conferences. Her goal with every speaking opportunity is to educate, inspire and empower. For more information about Yvette Gavin visit www.YvetteGavin.com. For all media inquiries contact PRTeam@epimediagroup.com.
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.
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