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dotsJada Pinkett Smith & More Honored at 2017 HBCU Power Awards

Published on October 21, 2017 by Sonya's Spotlight
Presenter Will Packer and Honoree Jada Pinkett Smith

As numerous colleges kicked off their Homecoming festivities, black excellence was front and center at the inaugural HBCU Power Awards presented by Morehouse College, October 20. Hundreds of guests gathered at Martin Luther King Jr International Chapel in Atlanta to celebrate eight individuals who have made significant achievements in their respective fields: actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Coltrane Curtis (founder, Team Epiphany), Kyle Hagler (president, Next Management), Nzinga Shaw (Chief Diversity Officer, Atlanta Hawks), Keinon Johnson (VP, Urban Promotions, Interscope Records), Phylicia Fant (SVP, Publicity, Warner Bros Records), Beverly Anderson (EVP, Cards & Retail Services, Wells Fargo) and Rob Rumley (Chair, Atlanta Housing Authority).

Produced by Morehouse alums Derek “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins (c/o ’96), Jash’d Kambui Belcher (c/o ’99) and Roderick Hardamon (c/o ’98), the HBCU Power Awards was full of exceptional moments: an opening “Swag Surfin'” performance by the Morehouse Glee Club and Horns section; co-host Deon Cole keeping the audience laughing; the crowd singing along to “Focus” during R&B singer H.E.R’s performance; an impromptu stroll in the aisles from an Omega Psi Phi frat; the music by DJ Trauma; Coltrane Curtis’ emotional tribute to his late father; and Jada Pinkett Smith’s moving words on the dynamics of power and the responsibility we all have to manage it wisely.

Special guests included producer Will Packer, supermodel Jessica White, actor Michael Jai White, style expert Tai Beauchamp, Atlanta Hawks Foundation EVP David Lee, creative consultant and entrepreneur Taiye Samuel, radio/tv personality Gary “With The Tea” Hayes, singer Dondria Nicole, rapper Silento, author Zane and many more.

Many thanks to sponsors Morehouse College, the Atlanta Hawks, Radio One, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Experience Grands Rapids and the Lowman Group/ dba the Athletes Foot.

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Awards Co-Host Jessica White

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Awards Producer Derek Watkins

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Awards Producers Jash’d Kambui, Derek Watkins, Roderick Hardamon

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Honoree Jada Pinkett Smith

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Honoree Jada Pinkett Smith

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Actor Michael Jai White

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Will Packer presented award to Jada Pinkett Smith

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Zion, Jash’d Kambui Belcher, Faune and Derek Watkins, Roderick Hardamon

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Producer/Director Will Packer

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Ted McCloud

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David Lee – Atlanta Hawks Foundation

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Co-Host Deon Cole

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Swag Surfing number with Morehouse Glee Club and Horns

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Rob and Makara Rumley and kids.

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Will Packer and Honoree Jada Pinkett Smith

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Kalli and Roderick Hardamon

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Honoree Nzinga Shaw

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Honoree Keinon Johnson

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HER

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Awards Producers Jash’d Kambui, Derek Watkins, Roderick Hardamo

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Kyle Hagler (right)

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Gary Hayes

 

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Honoree Beverly Anderson

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Actor Mike Merrill

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Honoree Kyle Hagler

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Awards Producer Jash’d Kambui Belcher

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Presenter Taiye Samuel with honoree Keinon Johnson

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Phylicia Fant

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Honorees Rob Rumley and Keinon Johnson

 

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Photo Credit Marcus Ingram

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