Special awards
Chairman’s award
Viola Davis is a critically revered artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, and New York Times best-selling author. Davis has earned EGOT status through her Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and multi-Tony Award wins.
She was honored in 2017 by Time 100 as one of the world’s most influential people and, in 2022, was honored with the Public Counsel’s William O Douglas Award for her commitment to social justice causes. Davis has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the United States and recently launched the Davis-Tennon Foundation. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Davis received an Honorary Doctorate during its 109th Commencement Ceremony, and she also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College, and an Honorary Doctorate from the American Film Institute. Davis received the Cecil B. DeMille honor at the 2025 Golden Globes and, this last summer, was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Award
From Queens to global rap royalty, Salt-N-Pepa—the groundbreaking duo of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton—forever changed the face and sound of hip-hop. Breaking barriers at every level, they became the first allfemale rap group to earn platinum certification, and later the first female hip-hop group—and the first group of any genre—inducted under the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s prestigious Influence category. Their fearless lyrics, infectious energy, and unapologetic femininity paved the way for generations of women in music and beyond.
Emerging during hip-hop’s golden era, Salt-N-Pepa brought fun, fashion, and femininity to a genre often dominated by men. With their signature confidence and “around the way” authenticity, they gave women permission to be bold, expressive, and empowered.
The duo’s story began in New York City, where Salt, from Brooklyn, and Pepa, born in Jamaica and raised in Queens, met while attending Queensborough Community College. Their chemistry caught the attention of producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor, who created their first single, “The Showstopper.” Soon joined by Deidra “Spinderella” Roper, a DJ from Brooklyn who became one of the most celebrated female DJs in hip-hop, Salt-N-Pepa quickly became a cultural force.
Their 1986 debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, introduced the world to the anthem “Push It” — a track that became an instant classic and propelled the album to multi-platinum status. They followed with A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (1988) and Blacks’ Magic (1990), which cemented their reputation as bold voices for women, delivering empowering anthems like “Expression,” “Independent,” and “Let’s Talk About Sex.”
In 1993, their blockbuster album Very Necessary became one of the best-selling rap albums of all time by a female group, featuring timeless hits “Shoop,” “Whatta Man” (featuring En Vogue), and “None of Your Business.” The latter earned them a GRAMMY Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1995 — making them the first women in hip-hop to win in that category.
More than three decades after breaking barriers in hip-hop, Salt-N- Pepa’s cultural influence remains indelible. Their sold-out shows and global performances speak to a legacy that continues to inspire new generations. Over the years, they’ve received countless honors and accolades — most recently a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2021), a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2022), and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2025) — cementing their impact on music and culture for generations to come.
Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy is more than music — it’s empowerment, resilience, and joy. As Salt reflects, “We’ve always represented women as bosses, as mothers, as survivors — real women who keep it pushing.” Pepa adds, “We’re still here with timeless music, proving that hip-hop is here to stay. And I’m proud of that.”
President's Award
Colman Domingo is an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, Independent Spirit, Tony®, Laurence Olivier, Drama Desk, and Drama League nominee. He has won an Emmy, Astra, AAFCA, NAACP Image, Gotham, and Black Reel Award.
On television, Domingo was most recently seen in Netflix’s “The Four Seasons,” for which he received an Emmy nomination, and led the limited series “The Madness,” created by Clement Virgo. In 2024, he voiced Norman Osborn in the Disney+ animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.”
On film, Domingo starred in and executive produced Sing Sing (dir. Greg Kwedar), earning Academy Award, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG nominations. He also executive produced It’s What’s Inside, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was released by Netflix. In Rustin, produced by Netflix and Higher Ground, Domingo portrayed Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin—earning Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG nominations. That same year, he played “Mister” in Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple, which received a SAG Ensemble nomination.
Colman Domingo is an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, Independent Spirit, Tony®, Laurence Olivier, Drama Desk, and Drama League nominee. He has won an Emmy, Astra, AAFCA, NAACP Image, Gotham, and Black Reel Award.
On television, Domingo was most recently seen in Netflix’s “The Four Seasons,” for which he received an Emmy nomination, and led the limited series “The Madness,” created by Clement Virgo. In 2024, he voiced Norman Osborn in the Disney+ animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.”
On film, Domingo starred in and executive produced Sing Sing (dir. Greg Kwedar), earning Academy Award, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG nominations. He also executive produced It’s What’s Inside, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was released by Netflix. In Rustin, produced by Netflix and Higher Ground, Domingo portrayed Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin—earning Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG nominations. That same year, he played “Mister” in Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple, which received a SAG Ensemble nomination.
Upcoming projects include Season 3 of “Euphoria” (HBO, Apr. 12, 2026), Antoine Fuqua’s Michael (Lionsgate, Apr. 24, 2026), Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day alongside Emily Blunt (Universal, Jun. 12, 2026), Season 2 of “The Four Seasons,” and Jaume Collet-Serra’s An Innocent Girl (Netflix).
Domingo is widely recognized for his Emmy-winning role as “Ali” in Euphoria, and for standout performances in Zola, If Beale Street Could Talk, Selma, Candyman, and more. With his husband Raul Domingo, he produces under their Edith Productions banner, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Tony-nominated Fat Ham, the Oscar-shortlisted animated short New Moon, and the award-winning North Star.
He originated and starred in The Scottsboro Boys (Young Vic, West End), Blood Knot (Signature Theater), and Passing Strange (Broadway, filmed by Spike Lee). He also starred in the first screen adaptation of a Ralph Ellison story for PBS, King of the Bingo Game.
Domingo made his British and Australian stage debuts with his solo play A Boy and His Soul (Tricycle Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse), followed by Wild with Happy (Public Theater) and Dot (Vineyard Theatre, dir. Susan Stroman), now published and widely produced. His play Lights Out premiered at New York Theatre Workshop in Spring 2025.
As a theater director, Domingo has worked with People’s Light Theatre, Huntington Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He also appears on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s concept album Warriors.
In 2025, Domingo was on the cover of VOGUE and Time Magazine as a “Closer,” one who works to fill the racial equity gap, and was named on the 2024 TIME100 List as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was a co-chair of last year’s Met Gala, which raised a record 31 million dollars for the Costume Institute.
Mildred bond roxborough social justice impact award
Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant stands as one of the most dynamic and justice centered faith leaders of the modern era, a leader forged in the fires of civil rights organizing, grassroots mobilization, and unwavering advocacy for marginalized communities. Visionary. Civil rights leader and activist. Businessman and community organizer. A devoted husband and proud father. A recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Bryant is also a Grammy Award recognized contributor, earning honors for his spoken-word performance on The Urban Hymnal by the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands, contributing to two Grammy-winning projects. His work continues to shape national conversations around race, economics, and moral responsibility in America. His life’s work embodies the belief that faith is not passive, it is a catalyst for liberation and systemic change.
Early Formation & Civil Rights Foundations
Dr. Bryant’s personal journey is a testimony to resilience and purpose. Rising from earning a GED to completing a Ph.D., he has become one of the most influential public voices of his generation. Prior to entering the pastorate, he served for six years as National Youth and College Director of the NAACP, where he mobilized more than 70,000 young people worldwide in coordinated nonviolent political, civic, and social-justice campaigns. This formative leadership role established his national reputation as a gifted strategist capable of organizing, educating, and activating mass movements.
Building Institutions That Empower
A third-generation minister, Dr. Bryant founded Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Under his leadership, Empowerment Temple became the fastest growing congregation in the 200-year history of the AME Church, evolving into a nationally recognized center for civic engagement, economic development, political participation, and community empowerment. The church stood as a model for how faith institutions can function as engines of social change.
Bridging Movements — From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter
Dr. Bryant is uniquely gifted in bridging eras, traditions, and generations linking the unfinished agenda of the Civil Rights Movement with the urgent demands of the Black Lives Matter era. His ministry has become a hub for entrepreneurship, homeownership readiness, economic justice initiatives, political activism, and social outreach. His work reflects a pastoral philosophy rooted in liberation theology where preaching is inseparable from protest, and spirituality is inseparable from systemic change.
Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
In 2018, Dr. Bryant was called to serve as Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia one of the nation’s most influential and historic congregations. Serving alongside his wife, Dr. Karrianna Bryant, First Lady and Executive Pastor of Creative & Experience, he has led a season of revitalization marked by restored multigenerational unity, expanded cultural relevance, and a strengthened local and national footprint. Under his leadership, New Birth continues to advance initiatives in community outreach, economic empowerment, public-policy engagement, and social innovation.
Leadership of the Target FAST & National Economic-Justice Movement
In recent years, Dr. Bryant has emerged as a leading national voice confronting corporate disregard for Black consumers and communities. His leadership of the Target FAST and Boycott stands as one of the most significant, Black-led consumer accountability movements in the last half-century.
Through disciplined strategy and moral clarity, the movement has:
- Amplified the economic influence of Black households
- Challenged multinational corporations to honor Black buying power
- Demanded equitable business practices, supplier diversity, and cultural accountability
- Reignited the historic tradition of strategic economic boycotts exemplified by the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Operation Breadbasket
Dr. Bryant has consistently framed the boycott not as hostility, but as a data driven, justice centered call for corporate responsibility, firmly rooted in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Joseph Lowery, and the economic justice wing of the Civil Rights Movement.
National Influence & Honors
Dr. Bryant’s leadership and impact have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, multiple Grammy Awards, and induction into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. He is a proud graduate of Morehouse College and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
A Modern Prophet for a Modern Movement
Across every platform pulpit, protest line, national media, or boardroom Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant remains an unrelenting advocate for justice, dignity, and the empowerment of Black people across the global diaspora. His ministry extends beyond sermons; it is policy, organizing, culture, and economic strategy. Through every arena from the streets to the ballot box to the boardroom, Dr. Bryant continues to challenge the nation to rise to its highest moral calling.
Vanguard Award
Multi-hyphenated artist, entrepreneur, actor, and fashion icon A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, has taken the world by storm since his emergence in 2011. Rocky has continued to dominate the music industry by clocking over 25 billion total streams to date. In addition, his music videos have earned a staggering 5 billion combined views on YouTube.
In 2018, with two critically acclaimed, #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 for freshman & sophomore albums, LONG.LIVE.A$AP and AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, Rocky released his highly-anticipated third studio album, TESTING, which has garnered over 1 billion streams worldwide, landing at #1 on the iTunes charts in 16 countries upon release. In August of 2019, Rocky dropped hit single “Babushka Boi.”
Most recently, Rocky released his fourth studio album DON’T BE DUMB to unprecedented global demand, reaching over 1 million pre-saves on Spotify before release. Rocky’s first project in 8 years features cover art by the visionary filmmaker and illustrator Tim Burton and features from BossMan Dlow, Brent Faiyaz, Danny Elfman, Doechii, Gorillaz, Jessica Pratt, Jon Batiste, Slay Squad, Thundercat, Tyler, The Creator, Westside Gunn, and will.i.am.
Rocky co-chaired the 2025 Met Gala with the theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” showing off a full wardrobe of his own passion project and brand AWGE. The same year saw Rocky demonstrate his incredible acting prowess in two films produced by A24 — Highest 2 Lowest directed by Spike Lee and the Golden-Globe-winning If I Had Legs I’d Kick You directed by Mary Bronstein.
A$AP Rocky is currently the Creative Director of both Ray-Ban and PUMA and has been a part of many high-profile commercial campaigns including Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Gucci, Courvoisier, Dior, Mercedes Benz, Guess and Fenty Skin. Rocky’s creative agency AWGE has launched partnerships with Marine Serre, Amina Muaddi, Selfridges, JW Anderson, MTV, and more. In addition, AWGE has launched the careers of notable artists such as Playboi Carti, slowthai, Smooky MarGielaa, and more. In June of 2025, AWGE put on their second annual Paris Fashion Week show to rave reviews.