The 10th Annual Culture Creators Awards Brunch brought star power, legacy, and industry influence to The Beverly Hilton on June 26, 2026, during BET Awards Weekend in Beverly Hills, California.
This year’s milestone brunch, themed “The Future of Culture,” marked ten years of honoring the people who help shape what culture looks like, sounds like, wears, watches, supports, and remembers. From entertainment and fashion to sports, media, business, technology, and social impact, the annual Culture Creators Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch continues to spotlight the executives, artists, entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers moving the culture forward.
Founded by Joi Brown-Lindsay, the room carried that rare mix of power and personality. It was polished enough for Beverly Hills, soulful enough for Atlanta, and bold enough for New York. Inside the intimate, high-energy brunch, cultural leaders and tastemakers gathered for a day centered on recognition, connection, and legacy.
Among the honorees, Missy Elliott received the Visionary Icon Award, presented by Amazon Music, celebrating her groundbreaking impact on music, visuals, creativity, and culture. Actress Janelle James was honored with the Film/TV Award, while legendary entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe received the Icon Award for Film, TV, and Music.
The event also recognized media personality Druski as Innovator of the Year, iconic fashion model and activist Bethann Hardison with the Icon Award in Fashion, and legendary producer and musician Jermaine Dupri with the Icon Award in Music. NFL player Andrew Hawkins received the Sports Award, while media personality Jason Lee was honored with the
Trailblazer Award for his fearless contributions across media, philanthropy, and civic engagement.
Now in its tenth year, the Culture Creators Awards Brunch has become more than a BET Awards Weekend gathering. It has grown into a respected platform where influence meets intention, and where the people behind the movement are given their flowers in real time.
Notables that walked the red carpet line-up were nothing short of exceptional of who's who in music, politics, film/television industry: Jasmine Crockett, Jimmy Jam, Lucky Daye, Master P, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Trevor Jackson, Kem, Syrai Smith, Isaiah John, William Stanford Davis,
Daley, Lavelle Dunn, Cree Summer, Mona Scott-Young, Raheem DeVaughn, and Kenyon Dixon.
Enjoy the highlights from our favorite ATL photog Paras Griffin / @thephotomanlife lens.
Jason Lee
