RECAP: The Annual 2016 EBONY Power 100

Black excellence filled the room at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles Thursday night during the 2016 EBONY Power 100 Gala.

The host Cedric the Entertainer honored amazing individuals who have shined a trail in fields spanning across community and corporate leadership, technology and the arts.

R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire and beloved award-winning actress Cicely Tyson were honored with EBONY Lifetime Achievement Awards at the event.

Chairman Emeritus of Ebony Media Operations, Linda Johnson Rice, acknowledged the attendees and honorees, followed by a video message from First Lady, Michelle Obama, welcoming guests to the salute to greatness on behalf of herself and her husband, President Barack Obama.

“For more than 70 years Ebony Magazine has been shining a bright spotlight on the lives of Black people in America with pages featuring images of Black talent, achievement and Black beauty,” she said. “And when it comes to the most important issues facing the African-American community and American community, EBONY Magazine and Johnson Publishing were there, capturing our most pivotal moments and engaging in our most important debates.”

Attendees of the amazing event included entrepreneur and fashion designer Tina Lawson, singer Kelly Rowland, entertainment industry mogul Mathew Knowles, director John Singleton, actor Laz Alonzo, and cast members from the hit show Queen Sugar.

Later in the evening, when Tyson was awarded with one of the evening’s two Lifetime Achievement Awards, she shared an emotional story that remains dear to her heart regarding the first time she met the EBONY and JET founder, John H. Johnson and what he will forever mean to her.

Executives with EBONY Media Operations say the Power 100 Gala offer historical background into Black life where we’ve been, the legends and who’s next to climb the ladder of Black Excellence.

“We are not helpless. We are not hapless. We are not hopeless. We’ve got the power,” said EBONY Editor in Chief, Kyra Kyles. “Now, what we do with it, that’s up to each one of us.”

Below are a few of the honorees and attendees at the event: