CBS to Broadcast Inaugural “Byron Allen Presents theGrio Awards,” Celebrating Icons, Leaders and Legends, Saturday, November 26

Co-Hosted by THE TALK’s Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs, the Two-Hour Star-Studded Event Honors Dave Chappelle, Ben Crump, Allyson Felix, Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, Norman Lear, Alena Analeigh McQuarter, Don Peebles, Tyler Perry, Robert F. Smith, and Kenan Thompson

African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports, and entertainment platform theGrio (www.thegrio.com) recently celebrated icons, leaders, and legends at Byron Allen’s inaugural THEGRIO AWARDS, a star-studded, black-tie event held at the Beverly Hilton. Co-hosted by THE TALK’s Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs, BYRON ALLEN PRESENTS THEGRIO AWARDS will be broadcast Saturday, November 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live on Paramount +*. The most captivating stories and experiences are on Paramount+. Try it free!

BYRON ALLEN PRESENTS THEGRIO AWARDS celebrates excellence in film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice and education, and the cultural icons and innovators whose many contributions positively impact America. The special pays tribute to and amplifies the history makers, change agents and artists who define and influence our world.

Honorees include Dave Chappelle (Cultural Icon Award), Ben Crump (Justice Icon Award), Allyson Felix (Sports Icon Award), Jennifer Hudson (Trailblazer Icon Award), Patti LaBelle (Music Icon Award), Queen Latifah (Television Icon Award), Norman Lear (Champion Award), Alena Analeigh McQuarter (Young Icon Award), Don Peebles (Business Icon Award), Tyler Perry (ICON Award), Robert F. Smith (Philanthropy Award) and Kenan Thompson (Comedy Icon Award). Also, the special features musical performances by Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and Patti LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes serves as musical director, and DJ Kiss acts as both D.J. and announcer for the awards special.

“I created theGrio Awards to celebrate and amplify African-American excellence and the incredible champions from other communities who truly support us,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “As a child, strong, positive African-American icons such as Berry Gordy, Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King, Jr. helped me see myself differently and changed the trajectory of my life. Celebrating and amplifying iconic individuals is something we can never do enough of, especially for our children.”

THEGRIO AWARDS is co-produced by Allen Media Group and Backhand Productions. Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Jeff Atlas, and Michelle Willrich are executive producers.

*Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate.