Black LGBTQ leaders, including many HIV advocates, got their flowers and enjoyed a moment in the spotlight at the 12th Annual Truth Awards Weekend. The event is spearheaded by Better Brothers Los Angeles, a nonprofit honoring Black excellence in pop culture, arts and politics, that also awards scholarships to African American LGBTQ youth.
This year’s ceremony was presented with the DIVA Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Sheryl Lee Ralph (TV’s and Broadway’s Dreamgirls) to raise awareness about HIV.
In addition to celebrity performances, panel discussions and a star-studded red carpet, a highlight of the weekend was an anonymous donation of over $100,000 to the Better Brothers Los Angeles scholarship program.
The Truth Awards Weekend included a dinner and Passing the Torch Awards ceremony sponsored by Gilead Sciences and the Truth Awards Gala sponsored by ViiV Healthcare (both pharmaceutical companies specialize in HIV medications). The event will be broadcast June 6 on KTLA+.
Keith Green receives the Bayard Rustin Advocacy Award at the Big Brother Los Angeles 2026 Truth AwardsCourtesy of Better Brothers LA
“Being recognized at the Truth Awards is deeply meaningful, but this honor truly belongs to the community,” noted Keith Green, PhD, MSW, the executive director of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus and Truth Awards honoree. “Every day, we are working to ensure that Black gay, bisexual and same-gender-loving men impacted by HIV have access to the education, prevention tools, treatment and support they deserve.”
Green continued: “Progress happens when we center the voices of those most affected and build strong partnerships and build strong partnerships, like my work with ViiV Healthcare that allows us to meet people where they are. Together, we can continue breaking down barriers and move closer to ending the HIV epidemic.”
The Truth Awards honorees included:
- Don Lemon (The Don Lemon Show), award-winning journalist and television news anchor (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Jenifer Lewis (black-ish, The Preacher’s Wife, GOAT), actress, author and cultural icon (Ally Award)
- Carlos King (Love & Marriage Huntsville and Belle Collective), Emmy-winning television producer and media entrepreneur (Media & Arts Award)
- Flame Monroe (Comicview), comedian and trailblazing transgender entertainer (Entertainer Award)
- Durand Bernarr, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and performance artist (Music & Arts Award)
- Nneka Onuorah (Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words and Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls), Emmy-winning filmmaker and director (Breakout Star Award)
- Keith Green, advocate and public health leader (Bayard Rustin Advocacy Award).
The Passing the Torch Awards honorees included:
- Dewayne Perkins (The Blackening, One of Them Days, The Upshaws), comedian, writer and Emmy-nominated actor (Breakout Star Award)
- Jordan E. Cooper (The Ms. Pat Show and Oh Happy Day), playwright, actor, and Emmy-nominated television creator (Passing the Torch Award)
- Sydney Colson, WNBA champion and advocate (Courage Award)
- Eric Hart Jr., noted photographer and digital creator (Media & Arts Award)
- Willie Greene, digital influencer and community advocate (Social Media Award).
This year’s scholarship recipients included: Alviana Anderson, Jack Wilson, Tyler Patterson, Anthony Wilson, Marquis Robertson, Ava-Sophia Noncent, Alexandra Price and Quince Robinson.
Performers, hosts and presenters throughout the events included Sheryl Lee, Ralph, Karine Jean-Pierre, Cynthia Bailey, Terrell Carter, Claudia Jordan, Novi Brown, Steven G. Norfleet, Isis King, Jermelle Simon-Jones, Jerrie Johnson, Lalah Hathaway, Cameron Wright, Jus10, India Shawn, Jarrett Hill, Tre’Vell Anderson, Leo Moore, MD, Lenee Richards, Kalen Allen, Shar Jossell and more.
