ATLANTA – The HBCU Power Awards on Oct. 30 was the epicenter of cultural excellence as several notable global leaders were honored for their hard work and achievements during the 2023 homecoming season. The HBCU Power Awards honors the achievements and accomplishments of HBCU alumni and supporters who are making innovative and vanguard achievements in business, sports, philanthropy, media, music, technology, television, film, politics, civil service, and fashion. The evening kicked off with an explosive performance from the Morehouse College House of Funk Marching Band with the 2023 awards show hosted by Isaac Keys (Power IV Force/Starz) and Brandon Marshall (Dave Chapelle Tour) with DJ Trauma (Clark Atlanta University) as the host resident DJ.
The 2023 honorees include: Ambassador Andrew Young (Civil Rights Icon/Howard University); Pinky Cole (CEO, Slutty Vegan/Clark Atlanta University), Charles King (CEO, MACRO/Howard University), Cynthia Bowman (SVP Chief Diversity Officer, Bank of America/Spelman College), Datari Turner (President, Foxxhole Productions), April Ryan (White House Correspondent/Morgan State University) and Henry Goodgame (VP, External and Alumni Relation/Morehouse College). The audience erupted and was captivated by the soulful R&B vocals of Leon Thomas in-which he did not disappoint and the night culminated with a full band performance filled with energy, style, and class from the legendary R&B hit maker, Keith Sweat.
The HBCU Power Awards was created and Executive Produced by Sundance Film Producer and CEO of HBCU Power, Jash’d Kambui Belcher (Morehouse c/o ‘98, ‘99), and Executive Produced by Producer/Actor Derek “Fonzworth” Watkins (Morehouse c/o ’96) and CEO of URGE Development Group/Chief Strategist of URGE Imprint Roderick Hardamon (Morehouse c/o ’98), and Actress/Producer Faune Watkins (Spelman c/o ’23); The 2023 HBCU Power Awards were sponsored by Ford and Amazon along with Amazon Music, Amazon Prime, Morehouse College, MACRO, and Bank of America.
“In a time when the existence of our HBCUs are being threatened, the HBCU Power Awards is a shining reminder of the genius and innovation that black colleges generate every year.”—Derek “Fonzworth” Watkins
