AceShowbiz - Brandy, Byron Allen, Flau'jae Johnson, Keith Lee, Lena Waithe and Victor Glover were honored at the 2026 EBONY Power 100 event, held on November 9, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Hosted by Tisha Campbell, the ceremony celebrated EBONY's more than 80 years as a voice of the Black American experience and recognized leaders across business, entertainment, sports, media, music, STEM and community leadership.

The evening was built around the theme "The Stories We Shape," with the venue transformed into "La Cour," an immersive creative world reimagining the grand royal courts of history with Black excellence at its center. The show opened with a live performance from 20-time Grammy-winning artist Kirk Franklin, who took the stage with "Revolution."

Coco Jones presented Brandy, paying tribute by singing some of the singer's most iconic hits. Brandy reflected on her personal struggles with self-image, grief and pain while growing up, as well as the journey behind her memoir, Phases. "Tonight I can feel the weight of what I've accomplished without making myself feel smaller," she said.

Former NASA scientist and Blue Origin astronaut Aisha Bowe presented Victor Glover, who paid tribute to his wife and recognized the trailblazers who paved the way for him, emphasizing the importance of opening doors wider to enhance diversity in science, technology and innovation.

Tyrese surprised the crowd with a special performance of "Signs of Lovemakin," bringing guests to their feet, and kept the room dancing with "Sweet Lady" and "How You Gonna Act Like That." Kia J Brooks shared a mother-daughter moment onstage while presenting Flau'jae Johnson, the Seattle Storm WNBA player and artist, who brought her younger brother Adin to the stage. In her speech, Johnson described her dream of playing in a WNBA game inside the same stadium that would also hold her sold-out shows on the same night.

EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman presented Byron Allen, one of this year's Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard award recipients. Allen recalled nostalgic memories with Junior Bridgeman, whom he described as his good friend and close mentor, and early memories of joining his mother at work when she couldn't afford childcare, which he cited as the impetus for his business career. He also detailed his work in multiple high-stakes lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act, winning $50 billion from major corporations, and described his desire for economic inclusion for Black America.

A Different World actor Cornell Young presented EBONY's People's Choice Award to fellow co-star Maleah Joi Moon, whose introspective speech called EBONY "a movement" and reflected on the recent streaming success of A Different World as a project made to "inspire hope." Cleo's Southern Cuisine chef Kristen Harper surprised Keith Lee while presenting the digital influencer and culinary tastemaker's award.

Director Gina Prince Bythewood presented Lena Waithe, humorously recalling Waithe's early days as her assistant and reflecting on Waithe making history in 2017 as the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Master of None. The two shared a heartfelt embrace onstage, with Waithe telling Prince Bythewood, "There is no me without you."

Monica introduced Bridgeman back to the stage for a closing speech that drew on the words of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream," Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" and the spirit of "Yes We Can." Bridgeman emphasized that EBONY Power 100 represents more than 100 powerful individuals and what is possible when that collective power comes together.

Grammy-winning rapper, entrepreneur and member of this year's Music Innovators class T.I. closed out the show with an electrifying performance of his 2026 Pharrell-produced track "Let 'Em Know" before diving into the 2008 throwback "Whatever You Like." He finished with "Pistol on the Dance Floor," going a cappella for the final verse as guests cheered along.

Reflecting on the evening, Bridgeman said, "Celebrating the Black leaders moving our culture forward is central to EBONY's mission, and last night was a true reflection of that mission. We are honored to have such an influential class of individuals in one room to share their stories and celebrate such incredible achievements."

The evening drew a full venue of notable celebrities and culture leaders, including Debbie Allen, Miguel, Rick Ross, Muni Long, Tiffany Haddish, Marsai Martin, Natalia Bryant, Tia Mowry, Kandi Buruss, Kyla Pratt, Janelle James, Wale and Jacquees. Also in attendance were Angel McCoughtry, Brandon Blackwood, Carlos King, DDG, Dex Robinson, Eni Popoola, Felicia Pride, Kennedi Reece and Renee Harrison, along with Love Island stars Aniya Harvey, Chelley Bissainthe, Ja'Na Craig, Kayda Bosse, KC Chandler, Kordell Beckham, Serena Page, Tierra Davis and Trinity Tatum, plus Jackie Aina, Jeremiah Brown, Jerrie Johnson, Jonathan Peter, Karen Huger, Karen Pittman, Kendra G, Lauren Speed, Matt Barnes, Scott Evans and Taylor Rooks.

The ceremony also called on honorees to stand in celebration of the Artist in Residence, Community Crusaders, Entertainment Powerhouses, Generation NEXT, Influential Creators, Leaders in Sports, Music Innovators and STEM Trailblazers categories, with Campbell highlighting the Media Mavens category. The event was produced in partnership with Jesse Collins Entertainment, the Emmy-winning production company behind the BET Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Super Bowl Halftime Show.