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Black star power was on display in a major way during the inaugural Urban One Honors in Washington, D.C.
The awards ceremony was the first in what was expected to become an annual tradition for the Black-owned media empire founded and still operated by Cathy Hughes, who was also one of the honorees. And rightfully so, as the Urban One Honors were developed “to acknowledge and honor individuals and/or organizations that have made extraordinary strides in the areas of innovative programming, successful business ventures, advanced technology, entertainment, social activism, education, and community service.”
Comedian DL Hughley hosted the ceremony that honored the following individuals:
June Ambrose, Fashion Icon Award
Brandy, Cathy Hughes Excellence Award
Jermaine Dupri, Living Legend Award
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Public Servant Award
Tom Joyner, Lifetime Achievement Award
Shaun King, Social Change Agent Award
Dr. Nadia Lopez, Education Maven
Jade Novah, Viral Sensation
Benny Pough, Record Executive of the Year Award
Rotimi, Generation Next Award
Marvin Sapp, Inspirational Impact Award
Teyana Taylor, R&B Impact Award
Doc Walker, Sports Legend Award
Marvin Sapp and K-Ci of Jodeci performed and LA Reid, Da Brat, Bryan Michael Cox, Ray J, Roland Martin and Q Parker were among the presenters.
Other notable names in attendance included but weren’t limited to Traci Braxton, DJ Khaled, Chey Parker, Gia Peppers, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, April Ryan, Symone Sanders and Elle Varner.
“Representing excellence in the areas of innovative programming, successful business ventures, advanced technology, entertainment, social activism, education, and community service, through diligence and dedication, this inaugural class of honorees has set the bar high whilst being an exemplary catalyst for change and profound models for success,” TV One said in a press release.
The Urban One Honors were held at The Anthem theater in southwest Washington, but it was no coincidence the nation’s capital was chosen as the location for what was set to become a yearly tradition.
“There is no better place than the DMV, where history is made, to salute the best of the best in media, entertainment, sports, education, community and more,” Jeff Wilson, Senior Regional Vice President, Radio One, said ahead of the event.
We gathered up some of the best #UrbanOneHonors photos and videos that have flooded social media along with other pictures taken at the event. Scroll through to see your favorite stars being honored for their unbridled dedication to their respective crafts.
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
1. (L-R) Ray J, Cathy Hughes and Brandy
Source:Getty
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
2. DL Hughley
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
3. (L-R) DJ Quicksilva, Cathy Hughes, April Ryan, June Ambrose and Michael Eric Dyson
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First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
4. April Ryan
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
5. Founder of Urban One, Cathy Hughes
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First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
6. Marilyn Mosby, State’s Attorney for Baltimore
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
7. District of Columbia Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
8. Singer Elle Varner
Source:Getty
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
9. Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
10. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
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First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
11. June Ambrose
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
12. Retired NFL Player Fred Smoot
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First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
13. Cathy Hughes and Tom Joyner
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
14. Gia Peppers, Jade Novah and Elle Varner
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
15. April Ryan and Jermaine Dupri
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
16. Singer Marvin Sapp
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First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
17. Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
18. (L-R) Pamela Simpson, Donnie Simpson, April Ryan and Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh
Source:Getty
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
19. Tom Joyner and Brandy
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
20. Shaun King
Source:Getty
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
21. April Ryan
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
22. Ray J, Cathy Hughes and Brandy
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
23. Traci Braxton and LA Reid
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
24. Brandy
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
25. The Anthem theater in Washington, D.C.
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
26. Rotimi
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
27. K-Ci and Michael Eric Dyson
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
28. Roland Martin
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
29. Chey Parker
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
30. Symone Sanders and Shaun King
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
31. Q Parker
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
32. Michael Eric Dyson
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
33. Da Brat
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
34. Ray J and Traci Braxton
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
35. K-Ci Hailey
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
36. DL Hughley
Source:Brian Christian Photography
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
37. June Ambrose
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
38. Ray J presenting Brandy
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
39. LA Reid
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
40. DJ Khaled
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
41. K-Ci Hailey
First Annual Urban One Honors Celebrated The Very Best Of All Black Everything was originally published on newsone.com
