NEW YORK — Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton has chosen a few entertainment powerhouses as the recipients of this year’s National Action Network Triumph Awards.
Grammy and recent Oscar winner Questlove, who’s also the “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” bandleader, will be honored alongside Hollywood producer Will Packer and music executive Towalame Austin at the Sept. 28 ceremony held at Jazz At Lincoln Center.
“The Triumph Awards is a cultural event that recognizes influencers for their ongoing work within their communities to promote social, racial and economic justice in America, and who have positively impacted our society above and beyond their performance by bridging their celebrity with their community,” Sharpton said about the 12th annual fete, which is free and open to the public.
NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes and “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels were awarded last year’s awards during a Carnegie Hall fete.
The Philadelphia-born founding member of “The Roots” has an upcoming documentary, the 2022 Sundance Award winner “Descendant,” which will premiere on Oct. 21 on Netflix. Co-produced by former President Barack Obama and ex-first lady Michelle, Margaret Brown’s film documents the search and discovery of The Clotilda, the last known ship to arrive in the United States, carrying enslaved Africans.
Producer Packer, known for producing hit movies such as “Think Like A Man” and “Girls Trip,” was the mastermind behind the 94th Annual Academy Awards. Held in March, the awards show featured actor Will Smith slapping presenter Chris Rock.
Austin, the former Magic Johnson Foundation president has worked with Roc Nation’s prison reform efforts and Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, which has focused on education, emergency response and health programs.
Past Triumph Awards recipients include filmmaker Spike Lee, actress and singer Queen Latifah, prima ballerina Misty Copeland, actress Phylicia Rashad, DJ D-Nice and fashion editor Andre Leon Talley.
Founded in 1991, the Harlem-headquartered National Action Network has led nonviolent action against racial and social injustices. The nonprofit is notable for its activism in the police-involved killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
———
