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The Vision Community Foundation, a non-profit organization created to transform the LGBTQI+ community and address socioeconomic/health gaps in the greater Atlanta community, awarded Jussie Smollett his first award for his film adaption of "B-Boy Blues" at its annual Black Tie Gala at The Whitley Luxury Collection Hotel Buckhead on Friday, July 22nd.
The gala, themed, “Avant Garde Couture” was co-hosted by the organization's Executive Director Bishop O.C. Allen lll, international ballroom icon Jack Mizrahi, Bevy Smith and Rashad Burgess. Vocal powerhouses Keke Wyatt and Avery Wilson performed for attendees.
The Vision Community Foundation's annual night of celebration honors an elite group of individuals and organizations that have made outstanding achievements in the arts, media, ministry, community service, and government arenas throughout their lifetime.
VCF awarded actor, singer, and director Jussie Smollett with its Global Producer & Film Executive of the Year Excellence Award for his directorial debut film adaptation of James Earl Hardy's "B-Boy Blues". Additionally, VCF honored Scott-Young, founder of Monami Productions ("Love & Hip Hop"), with their 2022 Humanitarian Award.
The awards come after the two paired together as executive producers to bring "B-Boy Blues" the film to BET's streaming platform BET+. The film has since received rave reviews both from long-time readers of the novel and critics, marking a historic landmark for Black gay love being represented on film.
Jussie Smollett took to Instagram and shared his excitement about the award:
"We won our first award @bboybluesthefilm. Thank you @bishopocallen @rashadburgess @ielevate_ for honoring your boy as the Global Producer & Film Executive of the Year. Y’all inspire me to keep going every single day. Thank you to @james.e.hardy.9 @monascottyoung @jodacious @madiahillscott @stepfredla2.0 @sampsonmccormick @ayeprahl_badu @betplus and the entire @bboybluesthefilm family. I share this 1000% with y’all. All love and joy."
VCF's 2022 honorees also included award-winning author and writer George M. Johnson, editor-in-chief and founder of Fashion Bomb Daily, Claire Sulmers; vice president of BMI, Catherine Brewton; media guru Darnell Moore, founder of The Quintessential Gentleman, Eric K. Thomas; and Minister Ashton Reynolds.
A complete list of VCF 2022 honorees is below:
George M. Johnson, Award Winning Black Non-Binary Writer - 2022 Architect of Literary Artistry Excellence Award
Darnell Moore, Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at NETFLIX - 2022 Elder Statesmen of Black Queer Liberation & Representation Excellence Award
Claire Sulmers, Founder and Editor in Chief for Fashion Bomb Daily - 2022 Architect of Fashion and Influential Serial Entrepreneur Millennial Excellence Award
Dr. Carl Highshaw, Founder and CEO of AMAAD Institute – 2022 The Global Visionary Ambassador of Excellence Award
Eric K. Thomas, Founder of Quintessential Gentleman Magazine - 2022 Architect of Millennial Communication & Ingenuity Excellence Award
Catherine Brewton, Vice President of Creative for BMI - 2022 Global Fashion Ambassador of Business Excellence Award
Minister Ashton Reynolds, President of Equal, LGBTQ+ - 2022 LGBTQ+ Ambassador of Equality & Justice Excellence Award
The Vision Community Foundation is a 501(C)(3) created to impact and transform the LGBTQI++ community by educating, creating awareness, and implementing STI/STD prevention methods using all forms of millennial media and marketing tools.
The mission of the foundation is to empower people mentally, emotionally, educationally, socially, and economically. The Vision Community Foundation’s Black-Tie Gala is part of the national Holy Convocation & iElevate Conference. For more information on Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III and The Vision Community Foundation visit: ocallen.com and iElevate.org.
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