On Saturday, March 4th Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA) taped the 9th Annual Truth Awards co-presented by Emmy Award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, The DIVA Foundation. The two-hour telecast was hosted by Jerrie Johnson (“Harlem”), Claudia Jordan (“Fox Soul’s Cocktails with Queens,” “Tea-G-I-F”), and Marcus Washington (“NBC Bay Area News”). The annual event honored 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.
Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA) awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to eight (8) students from the Los Angeles, Boston, Charlotte, and Chicago metropolitan areas. During the scholarship presentation, comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish and the She Ready Foundation surprised the scholars with an additional $40,000. Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph also matched audience pledges with an additional $20,000.
This year’s honoree class recognized an esteemed group of individuals. Honorees are Entertainment Icon Raven-Symoné (Icon Award), Netflix The Upshaws (Cultural Affirmation Award), Judge Greg Mathis, Greg Mathis Jr. Mathis Family Matters (Family Award), STARZ #TakeTheLead (Corporate Leadership & Diversity Award), Tabitha Brown (Ally Award), Byron Perkins (Courage Award), Dr. Darnell Hunt (Excellence in Education Award), Dr. David Malebranche (Advocate Award), and Unique Woman’s Coalition (Advocate Award).
The Truth Awards entertainment included R&B singer Avery Wilson and a duet performance by SWV’s Coko Gamble and son Jayye Michael. This year’s annual celebration also included special appearances by: Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), Darnell Moore (“Nextflix Vice President of Inclusion Strategy”), Emmy-nominated tv Judge Mablean Ephriam (“Justice with Judge Mablean”), Jason Lee (“Hollywood Unlocked,” “The Jason Lee Show”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley “), Eric Scott Ways (“The Best Man: The Final Chapters”), Folake Olowofoyeku (“Bob Hearts Abishola”), Rhoyle Ivy King (“All American: Homecoming”), Geffi Maya (“All American: Homecoming”), Terrence Terrell (“The Best Man: The Final Chapters “), Ashlee Marie Preston (“Media Personality “) and Tre’vell Anderson (“Entertainment Journalist “).
The 9th Annual Truth Awards is co-presented by The DIVA Foundation and sponsored by Gilead Sciences, STARZ #TakeTheLead, BLK, LeadersUp, Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, USC Race & Equity Center, Northrop Grumman, Walmart, Columbia IRAAS, The AMAAD Institute, In The Meantime, and Nissan.