The 2025 EBONY Media Group Power 100 Gala reaffirmed the enduring impact of Black leadership across culture, business, entertainment, and civic life. Marking eight decades of EBONY Media Group’s commitment to amplifying Black voices and narratives, the event provided a high-profile platform to honour both trailblazers and emerging figures shaping the next chapter of Black excellence.
A Milestone Evening
Held on November 5 2025 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the gala fused culture and prestige with performances by Grammy-winner Ari Lennox and Grammy-nominated Lucky Daye, as reported by Harper’s BAZAAR. The evening not only celebrated individual success but also paid homage to EBONY’s legacy as a cornerstone of Black media storytelling.
Who Was Recognised?
The 2025 edition introduced six “Special Honoree” categories, each representing a distinct domain of influence and leadership:
- Tracee Ellis Ross — Pathbreaker of the Year, honoured for her groundbreaking contributions to film, fashion, and advocacy (Harper’s BAZAAR).
- Iman — Icon of the Year, recognised for her transformative influence on beauty and representation (EBONY).
- Lonnie G. Bunch III — Humanitarian of the Year, celebrated for his cultural leadership as Secretary of the Smithsonian (EBONY).
- Teyana Taylor — Entertainer of the Year, recognised for her artistic versatility (Wikipedia).
- Shaquille O’Neal — Entrepreneur of the Year, for his influence as a business leader and philanthropist (EBONY).
- Olandria Carthen — People’s Choice Award, representing the next generation of cultural impact (Wikipedia).
Beyond these, the broader Power 100 list featured innovators across music, media, technology, and business — illustrating EBONY’s expansive definition of excellence.
Themes and Symbolism
The evening’s narrative centred on legacy and forward momentum — recognising Black excellence not only for its celebrated past but for its evolving future. Red-carpet fashion, such as Tracee Ellis Ross’s striking neon-yellow gown captured by Harper’s BAZAAR, underscored the event’s creative flair, while the diversity of honourees reinforced EBONY’s mission to bridge history with innovation.
This multidimensional approach positioned Black excellence as a continuum — spanning entertainment, entrepreneurship, technology, and civic leadership — and highlighted how influence now transcends traditional categories of fame.
Why This Matters
For media practitioners, cultural strategists, and community-builders, the gala sets important precedents:
Global resonance: Though US-based, the Power 100 framework speaks to the entire diaspora, offering inspiration for youth leadership and creative economies across continents.
Recognition of cross-sector impact: By spotlighting leaders such as Lonnie G. Bunch III and Shaquille O’Neal, EBONY underscores that cultural leadership extends from the red carpet to the boardroom, classroom, and policy arena.
Platform for future-facing voices: Honouring younger figures like Olandria Carthen signals the brand’s commitment to elevating the next generation of Black changemakers.
Narrative continuity: Celebrating 80 years of EBONY reinforces its vital role in archiving and shaping the global Black narrative — defining what and who gets remembered.
Implications for South Africa and Beyond
While held in Los Angeles, the gala’s themes resonate globally. For South African media professionals, youth leadership advocates, and policy writers, the event provides critical lessons:
Youth empowerment narratives: The emphasis on emerging voices aligns closely with frameworks for up-skilling young women and men in tech, media, and civic innovation.
Benchmarking excellence: EBONY’s holistic model of recognition offers a blueprint for African institutions seeking to celebrate excellence across governance, innovation, activism, and enterprise.
Cross-media collaboration: The Power 100 opens doors for partnership between African and global Black-culture platforms, fostering dialogue on shared heritage and emerging creative economies.
Conclusion
The 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala did more than celebrate an anniversary — it mapped a vision of Black excellence that is expansive, intersecting, and future-oriented. By recognising achievements in entertainment, business, activism, and entrepreneurship, EBONY continues to model how media platforms can use recognition to drive transformation and empowerment. For practitioners invested in youth development, narrative change, and media impact, this gala offers a living case study in how recognition, storytelling, and influence converge to advance collective progress.
