Giving Our Icons Their Flowers at the AAMBC Awards
Black Writer’s Weekend bridges the gap between Black professionals to aspiring creatives, the sole mission of AAMBC Inc. To celebrate Black voices, they’ve hosted the annual “Black Writer’s Weekend” for its 7th year. The packed four-day literary fest featured a wide array of activities from in-depth Artist Talks to interactive panels of professional creatives. The weekend ended with their much-anticipated 14th AAMBC Literary Awards ceremony, where they honored different Black creatives; sci-fi writers and editors alike!
Guests from all over the country flew into Atlanta for the extraordinary night of celebrating Black excellence. They wined and dined with light refreshments sponsored by Her Wine. Artists, creatives, and CEO Tamika Newhouse mixed and mingled ahead of the show. Iconic Honorees Terry Mcmillian and Tia Williams joined Brittani Krystin for audio interviews powered by the Delphine Legacy Media. Talents and guests took fun-filled photos before a mocha brown AAMBC Inc. banner with professional photogs on the red carpet. When they traveled down a dimly lit hall with framed pictures of past award winners and honorees, they snapped selfies before a vertical garden topped with an AAMBC-lit logo.
Upon entering the red draped curtains, a burst of purples, blues, and pinks filled the room. Black seats led the guests down an aisle to the open bar where they had a blast on a 360 camera stand! DJ Elijah kept guests grooving with his innovative R& B transitions as the night went along. He led them to their seats over a funky beat as the show was about to begin. Tamika Newhouse, Founder of AAMBC Inc., broke the ice with a few jokes keeping the guests smiling. Newhouse extended her love to them and honorees Terry Mcmillan, Tia Williams, and Jamila T. Davis before commencing the award ceremony.
Keeyen Martin gave a soulful performance to open the night, kicking the night off with sweet satisfaction. Newhouse returned to share her love for iconic Tia Williams with the Francis Ray Trailblazer Award. Williams beamed a smile as she received a beautiful bouquet and glass award. Tia thanked AAMBC for the acknowledgment before giving her speech on her sizzling career’s humble beginnings. The crowd cheered her on as she gracefully exited the stage. Awards from Bookstore of the Year to Debut Author of the Year were presented.
R&B singer Array gave entertaining performances of two original songs; keeping the audience in a joyous mood. Newhouse made her return to exemplify her adoration for her lifelong inspirational author, Terry Mcmillan. McMillan was all smiling upon receiving the Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award along with a lush bouquet from Newhouse. Mcmillan gave her thanks amidst her inspirational speech about authentically being yourself in order to succeed. Guests gave roaring applause as she was escorted off stage.
Awards celebrating authors and independent publishers were given to talent or their representatives. Best-selling author and founder of Girls Who Brunch Tour, Ni’cola Mitchell, and creator of The Innocence Project, Raymond Santana presented the Nate Holmes Honorary Award. They both gave praise to author Jamilla T. Davis. Davis became tearful as she received her award and colorful bouquet. Her empowering speech about rising above her excessive prison sentence and healing herself left the crowd in awe. Radio Atlanta One’s host, K. Samone presented the I Am Creative ICON Award to legendary DJ Greg Street. Street was unable to make the ceremony, but Samone accepted the honor on his behalf.
The awards ceremony commenced with Neo-Soul tunes to close the night out. Guests greeted talent with congratulations and took pictures. They stopped by the bar for their signature Waiting To Exhale Drink before pouring into the reception area. Honorees, award recipients, and guests mingled and created bonds that were amazing to see unfold in real-time. Connections were made and lots of love was shared from creator to creator. AAMBC Inc. is truly smashing through the glass ceiling and accomplishing its mission, one year after another. Next year will mark its 15th year where new literary legends will be honored.
Want to know the winners? Check out a list of our winners here.
Written by: Lele Bell
