WATCH: Byron Allen honored with ICON Award at Culture Creators Brunch
Marsai Martin won Innovator of The Year at the event.
Byron Allen brought the star-studded crowd to its feet when he was honored with the ICON Award at the annual Culture Creators Innovators and Leaders Brunch at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday.
The founder, chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios (parent company of TheGrio) dropped tons of knowledge when he sat down with TheGrio‘s CCO, Amy Barnett for a fireside chat prior to accepting the award. “Money is not the commodity. You are the commodity,” he told the crowd full of celebrities and industry insiders before explaining how he started his company after being fired from a job for asking for equal pay.
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Byron Allen proceeded to discuss the importance of economic equality and revealed how his groundbreaking idea to purchase of The Weather Channel came to fruition. His inspiring story brought stars like Michael Ealy, Ryan Destiny, Lalah Hathaway, and more to their feet, with the entire room giving him a standing ovation more than once during the chat.
Check it out:
black-ish star, Marsai Martin took home the trophy for Innovator of The Year and was congratulated by her friend and Little costar, Issa Rae, via a video message. Quality Control’s Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas; James Lopez of Will Packer Productions and Antoine Phillips, vice president, brand and culture engagement for GUCCI, were among the other honorees.
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Culture Creators is an organization founded by Joi Brown that connects cultural pioneers with the new creators of culture via thought leadership, education, and ideation across passion points to ensure substantive influence and growth. The organization was also created to spotlight and amplify the contributions of individuals who have shaped the global view of Black culture by providing a platform that engages and celebrates their accomplishments. In addition to panel discussions, HBCU summits, networking sessions and workshops, Culture Creators has become the think-tank, talent incubator, and hub for innovators, creatives, and intellectuals who work to diversify various industries.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: Amy DuBois Barnett, Culture Creators Founder/ Music Executive Joi Brown and Icon Award Honoree Byron Allen attend the Culture Creators 4th Annual Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 22, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Culture Creators)
Check out the full list of honorees:
Icon Award
Byron Allen
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Entertainment Studios
Innovator of the Year
Marsai Martin
Actress, Film Director, Producer
Film & Television
James Lopez
President, Will Packer Productions
Business
Tiffany R. Warren
Senior VP, Chief Diversity Officer for Omnicom Group
President, AdColor
Technology
Morgan DeBaun, Founder & CEO Blavity Inc.
Iddris Sandu, Architect & Entrepreneur
Finance
Phyllis Newhouse
Founder & CEO of Xtreme Solutions, Inc. and Founder of ShoulderUp
Music
Pierre “P” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee
CEO and COO, Quality Control Music
Fashion
Antoine Phillips
Vice President, Brand and Culture Engagement, GUCCI
Sports
Alexys Feaster
Senior Director Player Development, NBA
Art
Simphiwe Ndzube
