September 24, 2024

Museum For Black Girls Honors Innovators and Icons in the Community

On Saturday, September 21, Black entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators were treated to a celebratory brunch at the Museum for Black Girls. The Icon & Innovators Brunch was the museum’s first-ever award ceremony, hosted by owner Charlie Billingsley and fashion and lifestyle writer Joce Blake.

Read: Fashion, Community and New Beginnings Meet Joce Blake

The immersive museum set with the intention to celebrate, honor, educate and liberate Black women was the perfect venue to bring together Black creatives and innovators from all walks of life. Community and culture were the focal points of the ceremony as the honorees filed in with their friends and family. The museum itself serves as an evergrowing time capsule of the Black girl experience and hosts multiple events throughout the year to foster and uplift the community.

Read: Museum For Black Girls Returns, Inspiring Visitors with a Powerful Message

The esteemed hosts pulled out all the stops to celebrate the city’s most dynamic group of tastemakers. Beautifully decorated tables lined the dimly lit room while sprinkles of gold decorations and centerpieces of bright-colored florals brightened the space. Fashionably dressed guests were ushered into the space and encouraged to explore the wonders of the 20 installations or grab a plate of delicious brunch food and libations provided by CÎROC.

After attendees had a moment to mingle, the ceremony officially began with a welcome speech by Blake and Billingsley. The hostesses passionately shared the why behind the event as well as their excitement to honor every individual who is making a difference in the community.

WHY AMPLIFY?

In Colorado, Black citizens make up only 4.11% of the population according to the Colorado State Demography Office. Additionally, Lending Tree reported that Black-owned businesses account for 2.7% of all U.S. companies, according to 2021 data. The Black population in Denver has a long and rich history of establishing businesses within the city. The historic Five Points neighborhood was a central space for Black entrepreneurs, businesses, doctors, lawyers and more to thrive in the community in the 30s, 40s and 50s. 

With the rich history Black citizens in Denver continue to make, it is important to highlight and connect these trailblazers so that more growth and resources for the community can be at the forefront. Award ceremonies like The Icon & Innovators Brunch intended to do just that.

The Honorees

After the welcome speech, co-founder of Slide Thru Sessions, Quincy Shannon shared a beautiful spoken word poem highlighting several narratives of Black culture that inspired listeners to keep creating and keep innovating. As an honoree himself, Shannon is on a mission to diversify the mountains by introducing minorities to skiing and snowboarding.

The ceremony awarded 21 honorees under a multitude of different categories like the Art & Soul Award, which went to Rob the Art Museum, Wellness Warrior awarded to Endurance Run Club and Flourishing Minds & Flowers awarded to Black & Blossomed. Each award highlighted the diversity in the room as well as the brilliance and dedication the businesses brought to their craft.

The final award of Sovereign Status Icon was dedicated to the late Brea Foley of SneakerSpaceOG. Blake tearfully shared about her love for Foley while honoring her memory and legacy. Foley lived boldly and loved deeply and shared this fierceness with everyone privileged to know her. Her award was accepted by her brother and friend, Torrance “Pastor Pines” Green, who also shared a moving speech about the light and impact Foley had on the community.

“She was a visionary and trailblazer. Brea empowered others to walk fully in their truth,” he shared. Green led the room in a final toast that honors Foley’s memory. A toast, he and Foley shared many fond memories of together:

“I’m never above you, I’m not below you, but I’m right here with you always.”

These words so beautifully and symbolically encapsulated the entire event. Community thrives when all members are together and support one another. Denver is often critiqued that it lacks culture. Well, if you don’t know where to look you’ll find it right here at The Museum for Black Girls, as well as at local businesses and community events. The Museum for Black Girls has once again proved itself to be a source of comfort and a vessel for community and connection.

To learn more and support these local businesses and creators, see the list of honorees below and links to their pages.

Icons & Innovators 2024:

Located in Denver, Colorado, Jordan is a multi-talented individual passionate about content strategy and communications. Jordan's creative drive led her to The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles where she obtained a degree in fashion design. Eager to learn more about media and the editorial world, Jordan also received a degree in Communications. After graduating Jordan spent two years crafting her social media and strategy skills at numerous beauty, haircare, F&B, and lifestyle companies. Jordan is thrilled to now work in PR where she can combine all her love affairs with strategy, social media, and media relations as well as learn new skills to take on while navigating the world of PR.

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