Atlanta gathers to honor legends, innovators, and rising stars redefining beauty culture.
The inaugural Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards delivered an unforgettable celebration of Black beauty’s past, present, and future. Held at the Bronner Center of Performing Arts (Riverside EpiCenter) in Atlanta and hosted by journalist and media personality Segun Oduolowu, alongside Shamea Morton, media personality and cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the evening honored the legends and innovators who have shaped the cultural and creative fabric of the beauty industry.
Presented by Bronner Bros., in partnership with Vivace and Red by KISS, the star-studded evening paid homage to the professionals, visionaries, and pioneers whose artistry, entrepreneurship, and influence continue to inspire generations around the world.
Hosted by notable social personality Big Sexy, the red carpet shimmered with creativity and flair as honorees, presenters, and celebrity guests arrived in bold, head-turning looks that defined the night’s theme: timeless beauty meets modern innovation. Attendees included rap artist DaBrat, style maven and television personality Marlo Hampton, actor Keith D. Robinson (CBS’ Beyond the Gates), actress Nzingha Imani (BET’s Zatima), actress Ambyr Michelle (CBS’ Beyond the Gates), radio personality DeDe McGuire, R&B Singer J. Brown, celebrity makeup artist Merrell Hollis, television personality and founder of Yelle Skincare Yandy Smith, celebrity hairstylist Alonzo Arnold, to name a few who graced the carpet in statement fashion look pieces, sculptural hairstyles, and eye-catching accessories. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, as media and guests captured every arrival, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and cultural pride.
The program unfolded through four acts, The Becoming, The Revolution, Amplified, and Seen, each capturing an era’s essence, artistry, and emotion. Conceptualized and creatively directed by Grammy Award–winning celebrity hairstylist and honoree Terence Davidson, the production served as a cinematic homage to the roots and evolution of Black beauty, moving from ancestral grounding to the polished glamour of the 1950s and beyond. Together, the acts told the story of beauty through time, culture, and imagination, celebrating it not just as style, but as identity, resistance, and art.
Among the evening’s highlights was a soulful Teddy Pendergrass tribute performed by Terrell Carter, which brought the audience to its feet. Other unforgettable moments included the induction of the inaugural Bronner Bros. Hall of Fame, recognizing pioneers whose artistry and leadership shaped the beauty industry for generations. Honorees included:
- Chaka Khan, Legend of Style & Soul Award
- Danessa Myricks, Beauty Innovator Award
- Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, Beauty Mogul Award
- Terence Davidson, Creative Visionary Award
- George E. Johnson, Titan of Beauty & Business Award
- Derek J, Fearless Award
- Allen Cooley, Master’s Lens Award
- Nastacia “Nas” Brady, Braiding Excellence Award presented by Vivace
- Shaina Rainford, Culture Shifter Award
- Cliff Vmir, Rising Beauty Mogul Award
- Sly Huncho, Master of the Chair Award
- Jasmine ‘Razor Chic’ Collins, Precision Artistry Award
- Kevin Kirk, Legacy Award of Excellence Award
As the evening concluded, it was clear that the Beauty Icon Awards were more than an awards show, they were a cultural moment, writing beauty into history where it has always belonged and cementing a new tradition within the heritage of Bronner Bros.
Kelly Keith on Producing the First Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards
As Executive Producer and Creative Director of the inaugural Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards, Kelly Keith stands at the intersection of creativity, culture, and history. Tasked with bringing this groundbreaking celebration to life, Keith blended storytelling, artistry, and legacy to honor beauty icons while spotlighting those defining its future.
OTC Beauty: Bronner Bros. has been a cornerstone of Black beauty culture for more than 75 years. Looking back, what do you see as the company’s biggest contribution to Atlanta and to the beauty industry as a whole?
Kelly: Bronner Bros. has always represented the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride. For more than seven decades, this company has empowered professionals to not only perfect their craft but to build sustainable businesses in beauty.
In Atlanta, Bronner Bros. helped establish the city as the mecca of Black beauty—long before social media or influencer culture. Stylists, barbers, and entrepreneurs came here to learn, compete, and showcase their talent, and that tradition continues today.
Its biggest contribution is opportunity. Bronner Bros. created a stage for our community to innovate, educate, and elevate—proving that beauty could be both an art form and an industry of legacy.
OTC Beauty: What is your role at the company and why did you want to work at Bronner Bros.?
Kelly: I serve as the Executive Producer and Creative Director of the Beauty Icon Awards. My role is to bring the vision of this new experience to life—from the creative concept and honoree curation to the production and storytelling.
I wanted to work with Bronner Bros. because this company is part of our cultural DNA. I grew up knowing its influence, and the opportunity to contribute to its next chapter felt deeply personal. This project allows me to merge my background in brand strategy and storytelling with a brand that has defined excellence for generations. My goal was to help reintroduce Bronner Bros. to the industry in a way that feels both reverent and forward-looking.
OTC Beauty: This is the very first Beauty Icon Awards. Why was it the right time to launch this celebration, and what does it mean for the legacy of Bronner Bros.?
Kelly: The timing couldn’t be better. We’re in a moment where the beauty industry is celebrating innovation and newness—but it’s equally important to honor the foundation. The Beauty Icon Awards is Bronner Bros.’ way of saying: “We’ve always been here, and our legacy still shapes the future.”
This event marks an evolution for the brand. For decades, the Bronner Bros. Hair Show has been about artistry and education. The Beauty Icon Awards continues to reinforce storytelling, emotion, and reverence. It allows us to document history while inspiring the next generation. For the company, it’s not just another event—it’s a statement of leadership, creativity, and cultural preservation.
OTC Beauty: The honorees—Chaka Khan, Danessa Myricks, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, and others—represent such a wide spectrum of beauty, fashion, and culture. How did you select this inaugural group, and what unites them?
Kelly: We were intentional about balance. This first class of honorees represents the past, present, and future of beauty. Each of them has used their platform to redefine how we see beauty—through artistry, entrepreneurship, or cultural impact.
Chaka Khan’s influence on self-expression, Danessa Myricks’ innovation in artistry, and Judy Dupart’s business leadership and creative marketing all reflect different facets of excellence. What unites them is vision. They each built something that transcends trends. They’ve shaped culture, created opportunities for others, and proven that beauty is as much about identity and empowerment as it is about aesthetics.
OTC Beauty: The “live museum of beauty” curated by Terence Davidson sounds extraordinary. Why was this concept so important to the celebration?
Kelly: The “live museum” is a love letter to our history. Terence Davidson curated a powerful visual experience that brings decades of Black beauty to life—through hair, fashion, and movement. Guests journey through time, witnessing how every era influenced the next, from classic 1940s glam to the bold expression of the 1970s and the creativity of today’s digital age.
It’s more than a display—it’s cultural storytelling. Every look, texture, and silhouette represents a chapter in our collective evolution. For the beauty industry, it’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t start with what’s new—it starts with honoring the foundation that made “new” possible.
About Bronner Bros.
The Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show is the largest and longest-running multicultural beauty event in the world, attracting thousands of beauty professionals, creatives, and innovators each year. Founded over 78 years ago, Bronner Bros. continues to celebrate the artistry, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define the beauty industry.
For more information, visit www.bronnerbros.com and follow @bronnerbros across social platforms.
Photo credit: The Horne Brothers
