1st Annual Black Excellence Fashion Awards Gala Kicks Off BET Awards 2026 Weekend in Unforgettable Fashion

Los Angeles set the tone for BET Awards 2026 weekend with a night that felt less like an awards show and more like a cultural homecoming. The inaugural Black Excellence Fashion Awards Gala, presented by Queen Sheba, CEO of Model Mafia, and Partners Mountain McKinley and Irwin “Moon” Miller, transformed the historic Globe Theatre into a glittering tribute to the icons, innovators, and trailblazers who continue to shape culture, entertainment, fashion, and music.

From the moment guests stepped onto the red carpet, it was clear this was more than a kickoff event, it was a statement. The Globe Theatre’s ornate architecture provided a fittingly grand backdrop for an evening built around legacy, artistry, and the kind of excellence that doesn’t ask for permission to be celebrated.

A Star-Studded Tribute to Black Excellence

The gala’s honoree list read like a love letter to the many corners of Black culture that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Actor and comedian Carl Payne was honored alongside entertainer Angela White (formerly known as Blac Chyna), actress Kellita Smith, music executive Jeff Blue, R&B songstress Chanté Moore, legendary music mogul J. Prince, industry veteran Billy Moss, celebrity photographer Mark Gunter, and Christina Cooper, among many other distinguished guests recognized for their contributions to entertainment, fashion, and music.

Angela White

Photographer Credit: Mike Scruggs @FlawlessFlix256

Mark Gunter

Photographer Credit: Mike Scruggs @FlawlessFlix256

Each honoree’s tribute drew warm applause from a room filled with peers, collaborators, and admirers, underscoring just how deeply their work has resonated across generations. The gala didn’t simply celebrate résumés and accolades it celebrated the cultural fingerprints these honorees have left behind.

Red Carpet Sightings

The red carpet delivered its own share of star power throughout the evening. Actor and comedian Brandon T. Jackson made his presence known, while veteran actor and producer Richard Lawson brought his signature charisma to the carpet. Famed dancer & choreographer Leslie “Big Lez” Segar turned heads with her arrival, and Destiny Good, CEO of D. Good Publicity, was also spotted among the notable guests, further cementing the gala’s status as a must-attend stop on BET Awards weekend.

Performances That Brought the Room to Its Feet

The evening’s entertainment lineup matched the energy of its honorees. Rising duo MRG & MANO delivered a high-energy performance of their hit single “Feeling Good Today,” setting an electric tone early in the night. A Grammy Award-winning artist added star power to the stage, while Septimius, “The Great King of Hair Headbands,” brought his signature flair to the evening’s showcase of artistry beyond music. G Flame Bugatti also took the stage, and a lineup of special guest performers kept the momentum building throughout the night.

Sheen Magazine on the Scene

Sheen Magazine’s own Editor-in-Chief Kristyn Harris, Art Director Dioni Cruell, and Publicist Jackie Bush were also in attendance, helping kick off BET Awards weekend and celebrating alongside the industry’s finest as the culture came together for a night of recognition and remembrance.

Setting the Standard for BET Weekend

As the first of what organizers hope becomes an annual tradition, the Black Excellence Fashion Awards Gala accomplished exactly what a kickoff event should: it built anticipation, honored the culture’s foundation, and reminded everyone in the room why

BET Awards weekend remains one of the most important celebrations of Black achievement in entertainment.

With Queen Sheba and Mountain McKinley at the helm, the gala didn’t just open a weekend of festivities, it set a new benchmark for what a tribute to Black excellence in Los Angeles can look like.

Stay tuned to Sheen Magazine for continued BET Awards 2026 weekend coverage.