Ebony magazine celebrated its 2016 Power 100 honorees in all their melanated glory during a star-studded gala at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Thursday (Dec. 1). Cedric the Entertainer hosted the event honoring the likes of Cicely Tyson, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Regina King, presented Tyson with the Lifetime Achievement Award amid a crowd that included Kelly Rowland, Simone Biles, John Singleton, Holly Robinson Peete, Lion Babe, Issa Rae, Jimmy Jam, Garcelle Beauvais and more.
The 91-year-old legend was met with a standing ovation as she received the honor, and quoted Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son” poem.
“Life ain’t been no crystal staircase for me,” Tyson said repeating Hughes’ infamous line during her speech.
Earth, Wind & Fire joined Tyson in receiving the Lifetime Achievement honor for their more than four decades in music.
With hits ranging from CHIC’s “Le Freak” to Pharrell and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” legendary musician and producer, Nile Rodgers, continues to prove that he can thrive through the changing music tide, so it makes sense that he brought home the night’s Ebony’s Icon Award. Rodgers revealed to the crowd that he is officially cancer free after a six-year battle, and closed out the night by performing “We Are Family” with CHIC.
