It started with hands joined in prayer. Then Kirk Franklin got everybody on their feet. The gospel star opened the 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala with “This Time,” a song that brought a little Sunday morning to the Hollywood Palladium on a Monday night.
This year, EBONY Power 100 asked what we do with the power of being in the room together. On November 9 in Los Angeles, “The Stories We Shape” put the people doing the telling at the center of La Cour, a reimagining of a royal court built around Black achievement.
Gala host Tisha Campbell brought a little election-week flavor to the proceedings, celebrating Keisha Lance Bottoms’ historic victory with a little humor: “Georgia’s got a governor named Keisha,” she exclaimed.
The full 2026 EBONY Power 100 class got its flowers. Honorees were invited to stand by category filled the room, proving that being a part of this story was the moment. The six members of the inaugural Court received individual tributes. In a room accented by the night’s floral theme, their stories took us from humble beginnings to the far side of the Moon.
Aisha Bowe knew firsthand what it meant to have Victor Glover in her corner. Introducing the STEM Trailblazer of the Year, she recalled how the Navy pilot and Artemis II astronaut encouraged her as she prepared for her own trip to space. Glover thanked his wife and four daughters for the sacrifices they made for him. He credited the Black space pioneers who opened doors for him and imagined the Black boys and girls who might see his journey around the Moon and start picturing themselves in flight.
Coco Jones sang a few bars of Brandy’s music before handing the stage over to the woman whose voice helped shape a generation of R&B singers. Accepting the Entertainment Powerhouse of the Year honor, Brandy thanked EBONY for continuing to make space to celebrate Black excellence. She spoke candidly about what it felt like to wonder if she had been forgotten and how writing her memoir, Phases, helped her find her way back to herself. She also thanked her family, including her daughter, Sy’Rai Smith.
Leader in Sports of the Year honoree Flau’jae Johnson praised her mother in her introduction, saying it was Kia J Brooks’ first time speaking at an event like this. The Seattle Storm player and rapper talked about praying for confidence in rooms where she questioned whether she belonged and trusting that God saw it differently. “Don’t let nobody tell you what you can’t achieve,” she said. For Johnson, that dream means playing in a future WNBA and picking up the mic for a performance on the very same night.
Presenting the Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard of the Year honor to Allen Media Group founder Byron Allen was personal for EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman Sklenar. Her late father’s name became synonymous with the category in 2025. Allen spoke about his love and respect for Bridgeman and gave a historical sermon on Black excellence in business. He recalled how EBONY founder John H. Johnson secured a building despite racist efforts to block the sale. Allen emphasized the importance of Black-owned media to ensure our own uplifting stories are told.
Kristen Ashley, owner of Chicago’s Cleo’s Southern Cuisine, presented Keith Lee with his award. She knew exactly what his TikTok reviews could do for an independent restaurant, as Cleo’s had experienced it firsthand. Lee, the Community Crusader of the Year honoree, called Ashley’s presence a welcome surprise and thanked his wife and sister for encouraging him to pursue his passion for food and seeing something in him that he hadn’t yet learned to see in himself.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood remembered the floral blouse Lena Waithe wore when they first met. Waithe had some playful thoughts about that particular detail when she accepted the Media Maven of the Year honor. Then the Emmy-winning writer and producer got to the heart of the night’s theme: “All of us have something to say,” she told the room, urging everyone there to use their voice.
Cornell Young IV was all smiles as he presented the fan-voted People’s Choice Award to his A Different World co-star Maleah Joi Moon. Moon thanked fellow Power 100 honoree Debbie Allen for bringing Hillman back to television and for encouraging her to stay grounded, connected and involved.
The night had room for slow jams, too. Tyrese gave Brandy her flowers and brought some R&B to the proceedings with “Sweet Lady” and “How You Gonna Act Like That.” T.I., one of this year’s Music Innovators, closed out the show. He took the stage and gave an out-of-this-world performance that would make Glover proud.
The night ended in fellowship at the EBONY After, a private gathering of music and mingling. More importantly, it was a chance to reflect on what it means to be in the room together.