20 Years of SHEEN: Black Excellence, Hollywood Glamour and Star Power Take Center Stage at the 2026 SHEEN Magazine Awards

ATLANTA, GA — The stars aligned, the fashion delivered, and Black excellence took center stage as SHEEN Magazine celebrated its monumental 20th anniversary with two unforgettable days of entertainment, glamour and cultural celebration.

The festivities reached their grand finale on September 17, 2026, at Atlanta's iconic Buckhead Theatre, where celebrities, entertainment executives, entrepreneurs, comedians and industry tastemakers gathered for the 2026 SHEEN Magazine Awards.

For two decades, SHEEN Magazine has celebrated beauty, fashion, entertainment and the voices shaping the culture. This anniversary was more than an awards ceremony. It was a tribute to legacy, perseverance and the power of creating opportunities for Black talent to shine.

A Red Carpet Worth Talking About

The evening brought together a dazzling collection of personalities, each adding their own signature flair to the celebration.

From statement-making ensembles to camera-ready arrivals, the red carpet provided a glamorous introduction to a night dedicated to recognizing extraordinary talent.

Among the notable attendees were award-winning singer and songwriter Damion Hall, actress Shaquita Smith, comedian Cocoa Brown, comedian Skin Bone, reality television personalities Jaylan Banks and Falynn Pena, and entertainment personality Leslie Segar, affectionately known as Big Lez.

Checkout Pictures from the Red Carpet Courtesy of Sheen Magazine and Mercedez Millionaire

The guest list also included producer Deneise Howard, Lamont and Marie Sanders, Route Runner, Daysha Taylor and Deija James.

With celebrities and industry professionals gathering under one roof, Atlanta once again provided the backdrop for a celebration of entertainment, entrepreneurship and culture.

Three Hosts, One Unforgettable Stage

The evening's hosting duties belonged to a dynamic trio: comedian and actress Luenell, comedy heavyweight Lavell Crawford, and Atlanta's own rapper, radio personality and reality television star Young Joc.

Together, they brought humor, charisma and personality to the stage, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and entertainment.

Luenell, whose bold personality and unmistakable comedic style have made her a fan favorite, was already enjoying a major SHEEN moment. The comedy icon graced the magazine's special 20th-anniversary cover, unveiled during a sold-out kickoff celebration at Cirque Daiquiri Bar & Grill the previous evening.

The cover reveal served as a glamorous introduction to the anniversary festivities, setting the tone for the awards ceremony that followed.

Honoring the Icons, Innovators and Game Changers

At the heart of the celebration was a distinguished group of honorees whose achievements span television, radio, comedy, music, entrepreneurship and film.

Media pioneer Cathy Hughes received the Icon in Radio & Television honor, recognizing her contributions to broadcasting and media ownership.

Entertainment manager and industry powerhouse Debra "Deb" Antney was celebrated as Hip-Hop Manager of the Decade, while music executive Ray Daniels received the Entertainment Executive of the Year in Music honor.

The comedy world was well represented, with Dyon "Mojo" Brooks receiving Comedian of the Year, Darren Fleet earning Rising Star of the Year in Comedy, and Michael E. Williams receiving the Icon in Comedy honor.

Entrepreneur Millionaire Kev, owner of The Tax Plug, was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year, while producer and director Trey Haley received the Visionary in Cinema & Television Production honor.

Podcast personalities Drea Nicole and Lex P, creators of Pour Minds, were named Podcasters of the Year, and R&B artist Shaun Milli received Breakout Artist of the Year. Actress Chanel Mack won Breakout Actress of the year.

Each honor reflected the magazine's mission to recognize individuals whose creativity, leadership and contributions continue to influence their respective industries.

Music, Soul and Show-Stopping Entertainment

The celebration wasn't limited to awards and speeches.

The stage came alive with an impressive musical lineup that showcased the diversity of contemporary Black music.

Young Joc pulled double duty, transitioning from hosting responsibilities to performing for the audience.

R&B and gospel duo Q. Parker and Jai Vaughn delivered their signature musical blend, while Christian hip-hop artist Jor'Dan brought his distinctive sound to the celebration.

Breakout Artist of the Year honoree Shaun Milli also took the stage, showcasing the vocal talent that earned him recognition.

Gospel artist Canton Jones added another powerful musical dimension to the evening, bringing his celebrated catalog to the anniversary festivities.

Together, the performances transformed the awards ceremony into a full-scale entertainment experience.

A Celebration of Vision and Legacy

Behind the glamour was a significant milestone for SHEEN Magazine founder Kimberly Chapman.

Twenty years in publishing represents an extraordinary journey through an evolving media landscape. SHEEN has continued to provide a platform for beauty, fashion, entertainment and stories that celebrate individuality and cultural achievement.

The anniversary also highlighted the magazine's commitment to giving back.

Through the SHEEN Magazine Awards, a portion of event proceeds supports local charities assisting HBCU students facing financial challenges.

Student interns, ambassadors and volunteers also played an important role in bringing the two-day celebration to life.

Their involvement reinforced the event's mission of connecting established industry leaders with the next generation of talent.

The Next Chapter of SHEEN

As the anniversary festivities came to a close, the 2026 SHEEN Magazine Awards stood as a celebration of the personalities, innovators and visionaries who continue to shape entertainment and culture.

From Luenell's anniversary cover reveal to the glamorous red carpet, comedic moments, musical performances and distinguished honorees, the two-day celebration brought together the past, present and future of Black excellence.

For SHEEN Magazine, the milestone represented both a celebration of its history and an opportunity to look toward the future.

Twenty years of beauty. Twenty years of culture. Twenty years of excellence.

And judging by the energy surrounding its anniversary celebration, SHEEN Magazine is entering its next chapter with plenty of star power.