25 Gorgeous Photos From BET's Inaugural Black & Iconic Soiree

25 Gorgeous Photos From BET's Inaugural Black & Iconic Soiree

BET celebrated the LGBTQ+ community this year through its inaugural Black & IconicSoiree. The event, held over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, recognized the impact of the queer community at Flourish in Atlanta, Ga.

The event was hosted by Pose actor Dyllón Burnside.

“BET is committed to uplifting the Black and LGBTQ+ community by acknowledging the ways in which they continue to contribute to our society. The Black & Iconic Soiree was inaugurated to celebrate and bring awareness to the LGBTQ+ community,” a news release stated.

The Black & IconicSoiree also recognized several people in the LGBTQ+ community: Mariah Moore was honored with the Active Advocate Award as a community leader who serves as a role model for compassion and service and works within their organization to promote equality and quality of life for LGBTQ+ people. Pamela Stewart received the Executive Realness Award for supporting the LGBTQ+ community by advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people in workplaces. The Symone received the Prime Creator Award, which spotlighted her talents as distinguished in the entertainment and music industry. And, Kehinde Wiley was awarded the Master of Arts Award for exemplifying the true essence of an artist who uses their medium to shine a light on the traditional and visual arts valued by the LGBTQ+ community.

Other special guests Nicco Annan, Jordan E. Cooper, Raquel Willis, Miss Lawrence, Carter The Body, Nicole Ward, David Johns, Angeria Paris Van Michaels, Bobby Lytes, BET’s executive cice President & chief marketing officer Kim Paige, and senior vice president of brand strategy and marketing Tiyale Hayes. Durand Bernarr performed.

The soiree was organized with the help of community ally Paige and spearheaded by Hayes, according the company.

“As a proud member of the community, I am ecstatic to kick off this first-of-its-kind event for BET Networks. Tonight’s Soiree is Our Love Letter,” Tiyale said in the release.

The company also announced a $20,000 donation to Groundswell’s Black Trans Fund as the first donation from its BET Thrive Fund. The fund seeks to create material change in financial freedom, health and wellness, and civic empowerment of Black communities across the globe.

Check out photos from the event below. All photos are courtesy of BET and Getty Images.