Culture Creators Brunch 2024 Review: Teyana Taylor and More

Lexie Moreland

Julia B.BETs Connie Orlando and more were honored at the eighth annual Culture Creators Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch on Friday (June 28) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Moderated by journalist Gia PeppersThe exclusive celebration brought together industry icons, influencers and thought leaders to honor extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark on black culture across various sectors including technology, business, sports, fashion, music and more.

Also benefitting was the Culture Creators Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between high school and college and between college and graduation for underrepresented students in industries that lack diversity. The foundation empowers these students to succeed academically and professionally by providing resources, curriculum supplements and memberships. Funds raised during the brunch will support the 2024 academic school year scholarship program for the Campus Changemakers, the foundation’s first cohort of students from 35 colleges and universities.

Taylor was honored as Innovator of the Year with a celebratory video montage that highlighted her incredible career in entertainment, from choreographing Beyoncé’s “Ring the Alarm” music video to signing with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak Entertainment when she was just 16 years old (which is also when the world got to see her epic birthday party on MTV’s My super sweet 16) to her later signing with Ye’s GOOD Music at the age of 21. Since then, the multi-talented star has garnered eight gold-certified singles from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), while “Gonna Love Me” from her 2018 album KTSE is certified platinum. She has headlined shows and tours for Usher, Latto, Summer Walker, Diddy, Glorilla, Lil Durk and Lil Baby.

She also won Video Director of the Year at the 2020 and 2023 BET Awards. As Taylor prepares for her directorial debut, Get LiteShe was also successful in front of the camera: her leading role in Thousand and One earned her the award for Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2023 National Board of Review Awards and the 2023 Critics Choice Awards, and she will star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest untitled feature film and Tyler Perry’s straw Movie.

“Teyana Taylor is one of a kind. She is a person who helps us mark time, a time in culture and different times in our lives. We’ve Googled her, we’ve celebrated her 16th birthday, we’ve seen her be our favorite baby mama next door, we’ve seen her rock rap battles (some of you remember those?), we’ve seen her master choreography that would make even Janet Jackson blush,” said Emmy-winning screenwriter, producer and actress Lena Waithe as she presented Taylor with the award.

“She has given us timeless music videos, unforgettable performances like the one she delivers wonderfully in Thousand and One. I was able to witness her journey to becoming a serious actress first hand. I saw her break down in front of and behind the camera. She let us see her tears flow so that others wouldn’t be afraid to cry.”

Taylor held back her tears as she began her acceptance speech, which took the form of a prayer.

“Heavenly Father God, I thank you for who you are. All-seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful. Let me tell you something about your favor. Father God, your favor cannot be stopped, do you hear me? I know you hear me, so let your daughter cook. Let me cook. Lord, you told me in John 8:12 that you are the light of the world and if I follow you, I would not have to walk in darkness because you would have the light that leads to life,” she said.

“Thank you for wiping away every tear when I thought the burden was a punishment, for you have now made it very clear to me that it was only a preparation. Thank you for never letting my crown fall because you hold my head high. Thank you for teaching me the power of grace as I walk in it.”

She thanked her 8-year-old daughter Junie, who was standing next to her onstage, for her “protection” and for being “so pure. Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for teaching me to be fearless,” Taylor said. And to her 3-year-old daughter Rue, Taylor revealed that she “got blown away in the green room,” which she responded to with loud laughter. “I love you too, girl! … One thing Rue will never come to the table for, you hear me. My girl will be blown away like she has five jobs.”

After thanking her parents, her longtime friend and co-founder of production company The Aunties, Coco Gilbert, “Auntie” Natina Nimene, Executive Vice President of Promotion and Artist Relations at Def Jam, and the rest of her team, Taylor returned to her prayers.

“I want to thank you for inviting me into this room full of amazing, talented innovators and leaders. Thank you for using me as an affirmation to each and every hardworking person in this room today that we are here because we belong here in this moment, it was already written in the palm of your hand… And thank you for telling us ‘yes’ when the naysayers told us ‘no.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen.” But just before she left the stage, Junie grabbed the microphone for a precious moment where she stole the scene. “And I love my momma! I love my momma!” she exclaimed.

Former CEO/Chairman of BET Networks Debra Lee presented her former colleague with an award Orlando, BET’s EVP specials, music programming and music strategy.

“I don’t think anyone in this room would disagree with the statement that everyone loves Connie,” said Lee, who gathered evidence in the form of a four-page document of responses from Orlando’s friends and business contacts about why everyone loves her. “Jesse Collins, her producing partner on many BET specials, says, ‘Words that describe Connie: Integrity, her word is her bond; Patience, in a world of people who seek instant gratification with very little effort, she stands out as someone who puts in the effort to make sure everything she works on is perfect; Style, look at her; Love, Connie is love. Her heart is always open to anyone who needs it. And that’s probably her greatest talent because, you know, she’s not you can take her lightly or play with her, and she’ll gladly let you see the girl from Queens if you have to. But after she comes out and shows you, she’ll always send you on your way with a hug and a smile. And you have to give her credit for the BET Awards and all the moments that she creates.'”

After Lee continued singing her praises, Orlando took the stage, holding back tears and telling Lee the reason she was there in the first place.

“It is an honor to accept this year’s Culture Creator Award and to receive your generous recognition for my contributions to the world of television and film. I stand before you full of gratitude. It is a blessing to do the work I love,” she said in her address to the founder of Culture Creators. Joi Brown and the Culture Creators Advisory Council. “Working across the media of television and film, I am acutely aware of how much time the average person spends staring at some kind of screen at any given time. With billions of people consuming content every day, there is a unique opportunity to foster meaningful discussion, create pathways of understanding, and edify and inform countless audiences. While entertainment is at the heart of what we do, we can use the power of media to bring our audiences to life, tell authentic stories, and shine a light on the darkness that exists in our world today.”

CAA Account Manager Lorrie Bartlett — whose clients include Andra Day, Fantasia, Regina King, Rachel Zegler, Michael Keaton, Travis Kelce, Jeymes Samuel and more — received the Icon Award for her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry while leading initiatives to advance equality in Hollywood. Other honorees included co-founder of Reign Venture Capital Monique Idlett; Brown Girl Jane CBO and media personality Tai Beauchamp; FashionBombDaily Managing Director and Founder Claire Sulmers; Social influence and brand engagement strategist Alencia Johnson; Agent and CEO of WME Sports Cecil White; Celebrity stylist duo Wayman + Micah; AI innovator and immersive technology expert Alton Glass; and the creators of the hair care brand The Doux Maya And Brian Smith.