On October 21, 2022, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group hosted the inaugural TheGrio Awards, a brand-new event aimed at honoring “luminaries from the worlds of film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice, and education, as well as cultural icons and innovators
On November 5, 2022, the glamorous event, which took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, was broadcast on national television through the Grio Television Network as well as other Allen Media Group television and digital platforms.
According to TheGrio Network’s Janelle Harris Dixon, Tyler Perry received the Icon Award for his philanthropy and “embodiment of the American Dream.”
Janelle writes,
“As if his empire could be richer, Perry is a mogul with a giver’s heart and his philanthropy, both through the Perry Foundation and his individual giving, is iconic in and of itself,” Janelle writes. “He’s paid for strangers’ funerals, bought folks groceries during the pandemic and made a $1 million donation to the NAACP, its largest gift ever from a single donor. The opportunities he’s created for other folks — Black actors, writers, creatives, just people needing a chance to shine — are part of the happy ending he’s writing for himself.”
The star-studded awards were hosted by comedian Sheryl Underwood and actor Taye Diggs. Yolanda Adams, Tyrese Gibson, Fantasia, and Patti LaBelle performed, and the media group and platform focused on news, lifestyle, sports, and entertainment centered on African Americans.
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Tyler Perry was honoured alongside Ben Crump (Justice Icon Award), Alena Analeigh McQuarter (Young Icon Award), Jennifer Hudson (Trailblazer Icon Award), Dave Chappelle (Cultural Icon Award), and then some more.
