Kwame Onwuachi Feeds the Coast
Chef Kwame Onwuachi brought his culinary genius to both coasts this past week, serving up dishes as vibrant as the culture celebrated. The Tatiana restaurateur’s menu was a hit at Complex’s Listed event. Presented by Lexus and Foot Locker, it celebrated 50 honorees, including artist Lauren Halsey and stylist Jason Bolden. Across music, art, fashion and sneaker culture, the 10th annual festival, hosted for the first time in Los Angeles, spotlighted the people and ideas moving the conversation forward, from musician Victoria Monét and visual artist Aya Brown to the Free the Youth Air Jordan 16. A portion of the sneaker’s sales proceeds supports youth-led creative projects in Accra, Ghana, connecting the global influence of Black style to opportunities for its next generation.
Back in New York City, Onwuachi appeared in person at the LG SIGNATURE “What’s Your Signature?” Gala at the Guggenheim Museum. Guests sampled the chef’s small plates, took in performances by The Womack Sisters and John Mayer, and explored LG SIGNATURE fragrances before choosing one to take home.
With Onwuachi’s food sharing the spotlight with music, art and sneakers, culture was served in one delicious bite
Living Legends Honored
Actor and R&B singer Jacob Latimore, known for his role as Emmett on The Chi, joined Atlanta’s Black music power players to celebrate the Living Legends Foundation’s 35th anniversary. Held October 2, the awards dinner and gala honored the executives, innovators and cultural architects whose work keeps our music—and its influence—moving forward. Latimore gathered alongside BET President Louis Carr, Donell Jones, Q Parker, Polow Da Don, Kedar Massenburg, Michael Mauldin and Nicci Gilbert.
With honorees spanning radio, recorded music, live entertainment and media, the evening celebrated the people building opportunities and preserving Black entertainment’s legacy.
Sports Legends Honor a Cause
Boxing champion Laila Ali had a special guest with her at The Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis 41st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, which was held at the New York Hilton in New York City. “My son C.J. is here with me,” she announced, referring to 17-year-old Curtis Muhammad Conway Jr., who bears a striking resemblance to his grandfather, Muhammad Ali. Ali was honored alongside fellow sports greats, including basketball legends Chris Webber and Chamique Holdsclaw, baseball great Andruw Jones, football star Rob Gronkowski and more, to support the organization that aids those with paralysis. Former NBA player Shane Battier received The Buoniconti Fund Award. Gloria Estefan, who credits the organization with helping her recover from a spinal injury, hosted the evening, while Train performed. With more than 800 guests gathered, the celebration raised $5 million for spinal cord injury and neurological disease research.
Celebrating the Words
I was so pleased to meet Ibram X. Kendi, just one of the many luminaries celebrated at the Save Our Stories Supper, hosted by Penguin Random House inside the iconic New York Public Library in Manhattan. Held during Banned Books Week, the private gathering brought together authors like Chef Marcus Samuelsson, educators, political powerhouses and tastemakers who ignore book banning and bravely write the words the world needs to hear.