“Power, Purpose, and Prestige: The Power Player Suite celebrates Icons and Innovators.”

Written by: Krystal R.Harris

The 2026 ESPY awards week kicked off with a bang at the inaugural Power Player Suite event in New York City, and of course, Sheen Magazine was there! Monday night’s exclusive celebration brought together legends, rising stars, and game changers who have all left their mark on sports, culture, fashion, and entertainment.

Curated by Hungerford Management and MNS Media Group, the evening was packed from wall to wall with influential faces, incredible energy, and nonstop celebration. According to Dana Hungerford, co-founder of Hungerford Management, the vision behind the event was simple: celebrate the people who continue to bring excellence to the forefront and honor those whose work has created lasting legacies.

This year’s honorees were nothing short of iconic. The founders of FUBU received the Legends of Fashion Award, hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow was presented with The Soundtrack of the Game Award, and legendary sports broadcaster Jayne Kennedy Overton received The Legend Award. Each of these trailblazers has influenced the sports world in their own unique way, proving that impact extends far beyond the playing field.

The room was filled with familiar faces, and we had the opportunity to catch up with special honoree Franchón “The Heavy Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn, the historic first female undisputed super middleweight champion of the world and a multi-time national amateur champion. While she’s known for dominating inside the ring, Franchón is also making waves as a singer, clothing designer, and entrepreneur.
“I never knew I would be the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world, but I knew I’d be famous,” she shared.

With multiple championship titles already under her belt and success extending beyond boxing into music, fashion, and business, it’s clear she’s only getting started. Franchón is a multifaceted force whose star continues to rise—and we certainly can’t look away.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without spending time with one of the night’s most celebrated honorees. Hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow, whose classic anthem “Basketball” has become synonymous with sports culture since its release in 1984, reflected on the legacy he’s continuing to build.

“I stand on the shoulders of a lot of ancestors and heroes like James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince,” he said. “I hope that we can all come together and change the world again. We (hip-hop) did it 53 years ago, and we can do it again.”
Decades later, “Basketball” still echoes through arenas around the world, a true testament to the lasting influence of his music. Beyond entertainment, Kurtis remains committed to serving his community and advocating for equality and positive change.
There may not have been anyone cooler in the building than Power Player Suite honoree J. Alexander Martin, co-founder of FUBU. Calm, confident, and humble, Martin made it clear that while awards are appreciated, the work has never been about personal recognition.

For him, it’s always been about representation, legacy, and creating opportunities for communities that have historically been overlooked.
“We had this slogan,” Martin explained. “Every time we saw somebody wearing our clothes we’d say, ‘One time.’ People would ask what that meant. It meant every time feels like the first time. I can see five people wearing it, twenty people wearing it, thirty people wearing it—but every single time, I celebrate it. It’s not about me. It never has been. It’s about the legacy.”

Kenny Kas received the Fashion Icon award. Kenny Kas is a celebrated American fashion icon and master craftsman with a career spanning 36 years, and the owner of Kenny Kas Clothing. Kas’s extraordinary career includes dressing some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports, including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Sherri Shepherd, Nelly & Ashanti, Kevin Hart, and Kobe Bryant.

He also showcased his new Kenny Kas clothing line during the event, with models dressed in denim from head to toe. The collection exuded luxury, with high-quality pieces that elevated classic denim into statement fashion. As a designer with over three decades in the game, Kenny continues to deliver standout looks, raising the bar once again for the culture.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Hometown Hero Award to professional boxer Andrew “Council of War” Council. With a career record of 31-8-3, including twenty knockouts, Council was recognized for his accomplishments in the ring and for representing his hometown with pride. The well-deserved honor celebrated his lasting impact on the sport and the community.
Beyond the inspiring conversations, the experience itself was unforgettable. Guests enjoyed an incredible culinary spread prepared by Stacey Angela, whose elevated Jamaican cuisine featured premium ingredients and fresh Caribbean-inspired flavors that kept everyone coming back for more.

The cocktails were equally memorable, courtesy of E’thal LVI Vodka, founded by Washington, D.C. native Jamboa “Renae” Davis. More than just a premium vodka brand, E’thal LVI was created in honor of Davis’ late mother. Every pour serves as both a celebration and a tribute, embodying her belief in community, love, and bringing people together. The evening closed on a high note with an electrifying tribute performance celebrating Toni Braxton. From beginning to end, the room was filled with music, laughter, inspiration, and Black excellence.

If the Power Player Suite was any indication of what’s to come, Fanatics Fest and ESPY Week are officially off to an unforgettable start. We are looking forward to seeing the Power Player Suite continue to grow and highlight the movers and shakers in the sports industry.