Ebony Media Group Celebrates Black Excellence at the 2022 Ebony Power 100 Gala Presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

Judith Davis
4 min readNov 6, 2022

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On October 31, 2022 EBONY Media Group, the leading and most influential Black-owned media company in the world, held their signature annual gala, the 2022 EBONY Power 100 Gala, Presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar at Milk Studios in Hollywood.

Amber Ruffin — — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

The star-studded event, hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Amber Ruffin, honored the remarkable achievements of African Americans spanning across various industries.

Ebony 100 Guest and Honorees at dinner

The 2022 EBONY Power 100 Gala, Presented by Coca-Cola Zero SugarTM featured an illustrious group of Special Award recipients, who took the stage that evening.

Director Spike Lee — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Roger Guenveur Smith presented legendary film director Spike Lee with the Icon Award.

Actress Nia Long — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Nia Long presented Emmy-nominated actress and producer Issa Rae with the People’s Choice Award.

Actress Issa Rae — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Jonathan Majors presented the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with the For The Culture Award,

Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, and Danai Gurira — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Actor Jonathan Majors — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Kendrick Sampson presented the mothers of Breona Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Tamika Palmer and Wanda Cooper-Jones with the Social Justice Award

Actor Kendrick Sampson — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Tamika Palmer (Breonna Taylor’s mom) and Wanda Cooper-Jones (Ahmaud Aubery’s mom) — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Jay Ellis and Garcelle Beauvais presented Target’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Maurice Cooper with the Corporate Citizen Award.

Actress Garcelle Beauvais — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Actor Jay Ellis — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Kandi Burruss (2022 EBONY Power 100 honoree) presented McKissack & McKissack President and CEO Cheryl McKissack with the Black Business Award.

Kandi Burruss Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
McKissack & McKissack President and CEO Cheryl McKissack — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

In addition to the Special Award recipients, the elegant black tie gala was full of black excellence and lively performances.

Actress/Singer Janelle Monae — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Janelle Monáe kicked off the evening by introducing a dynamic performance from Tony Award-Winning Actor, Myles Frost, who performed Heartbreak Hotel, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), and Rock with You from his portrayal of Michael Jackson in Broadway’s MJ the Musical.

Actor/Singer Myles Frost — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Bianca Lawson later introduced Nigerian rapper, Tobe Nwigwe, who stunned on stage performing CATFISH BLACKENED w/ GRITS, HELLA BLACK, and FYE FYE (AT THE CRIB).

Actress Bianca Lawson — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Singer Tobe Nwigwe — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

During the ceremony, it was also revealed that the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will grace the cover of Ebony’s November digital cover.

Caroline Wanga, Essence Magazine, CEO — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

Celebrities in attendance included Quinta Brunson (2022 EBONY Power 100 honoree), Meagan Good, Shannon Thornton and Nico Annan of P.Valley, Amirah Vann, Jabari Banks of Bel Air, Henry Simmons, Lala Milan, Melody Thornton, Olly Sholotan of Bel Air, Linsey Davis, Skyh Alvester Black and KJ Smith, John Clarence Stewart, Roger Guenveur Smith, Tiffany Cross, Gia Peppers, Erica Campbell, Demetrius Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi and Michole White of BMF, Malcolm Mays of Raising Kanan, Lamon Archey of All American, and many more!

Actress Meghan Good — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Actress Michole White — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Actor Jalyn Hall— Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
ABFF Founders, Jeff and Nicole Friday — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Writer/Attorney, Tonya Lewis-Lee — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Journalist, Gia Peppers— Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill
Journalist, Danielle Young — — Photo Credit: Antoine Debrill

The 2022 EBONY Power 100 honorees are acknowledged for their extraordinary achievements in their respective industries via a special video package. Spanning 10 categories, this year’s list honored outstanding leaders across a variety of industries and disciplines from business, sports, media, activism and music to entertainment and more. For the full 2022 EBONY Power 100 list, please visit: Ebony.com/power100–2022/

The 2022 EBONY Power 100 Gala, Presented by Coca-Cola Zero SugarTM is supported in sponsorship by: Cadillac, Walmart, Google Pixel 7, Ally, P&G, Baccarat, United Airlines, Nationwide, and Beam Suntory.

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Judith Davis

A professional writer, content manager, and web producer who has worked for quite a few high profile brands. https://twitter.com/JudithD_NYCGirl