Black Girl Magic Image Awards & Scholarship Gala

A Night That Moved a Community — And a Future Worth Investing In

Over the past two years, the Black Excellence Group has created more than award ceremonies — we have created moments that remind our community of who we are, where we come from, and the extraordinary legacy we are building together.

But the Black Girl Magic Image Awards & Scholarship Gala is about more than recognition.

It is about investment.

It is about honoring the women who have paved the way while creating opportunities for the young women who will carry the legacy forward.

More Than an Award. More Than a Celebration.

In 2024 and 2025, the Black Girl Magic Image Awards & Scholarship Gala brought together remarkable women, families, community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, educators, faith leaders, public servants, and supporters for unforgettable evenings filled with recognition, inspiration, laughter, tears, and love.

Founded and envisioned by Latrese B. Carter, the Black Excellence Group has intentionally created an event where celebration and service meet.

Every honoree represents a story of perseverance and achievement. Every award represents a legacy worth remembering. And every scholarship represents a young woman whose future is worth investing in.

Our scholarship drive is an essential part of the Black Excellence Group's mission because we believe that Black Girl Magic should not only be celebrated — it should be supported, nurtured, and given room to flourish.

Honoring the Women Who Paved the Way

One of the most meaningful traditions of the Black Girl Magic Image Awards has been the recognition of women whose lives and legacies have opened doors for generations to follow.

In 2024, the Black Excellence Group honored Living Legend Peggy Britt, celebrating an extraordinary woman whose impact, strength, and commitment to her community represent the very essence of Black excellence. Her recognition became a powerful reminder that some legacies cannot be measured simply by titles or accomplishments — they are measured by the lives touched, the doors opened, and the wisdom passed from one generation to the next.

In 2025, the Living Legend honors continued with two unforgettable moments.

Senator L. Louise Lucas was recognized as the 2025 Political Icon Living Legend, honoring her historic leadership and enduring influence in Virginia. Her presence brought a profound sense of history and purpose to the celebration as she reminded the audience of the importance of perseverance, representation, and using one's voice to create change.

Another unforgettable moment came when Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, celebrated vocalist and member of the legendary R&B group SWV, arrived to support her mother, Lady Tibba Gamble, who was being honored with the Lady of Integrity Award. During the evening, Coko was unexpectedly recognized as the 2025 Music Icon Living Legend. The emotional mother-daughter moment, with both women holding their golden awards, became one of the defining images of the celebration.

Celebrating Excellence in Every Arena

The Black Girl Magic Image Awards have never been about simply handing out trophies. They are about telling stories.

Across the 2024 and 2025 celebrations, honorees represented a remarkable spectrum of achievement — from business and education to entertainment, faith, public service, entrepreneurship, healthcare, advocacy, and the arts.

Among the celebrated artists was acclaimed actress Adrienne Warren, honored as Actress of the Year. Her recognition reflected the organization's commitment to celebrating Black women who are not only excelling on national and international stages, but also inspiring the next generation to pursue their own dreams without apology.

Award Categories

Scholarship Spotlight: The Legacy Continues

In 2024, the Black Excellence Group proudly awarded its first scholarship to Alexia Burford, who is now entering her Senior year at Howard University.

Alexia's journey is a beautiful example of what happens when a community chooses to invest in a young woman's dreams.

And the story continues.

Our 2025 scholarship recipient, Victoria Farrow, is currently in her second year at Virginia State University and is on track to graduate in May 2027.

And one powerful reminder: when we invest in our young women, we invest in the future of our entire community.

From the Women We Honor to the Women We Empower

There is something profoundly beautiful about placing generations side by side.

The women receiving awards have spent their lives building businesses, educating children, serving communities, creating art, leading organizations, advocating for others, raising families, breaking barriers, and opening doors.

The scholarship recipients are walking through those doors.

That is the true heart of Black Girl Magic.

More Than an Award Show

What began as an awards celebration has grown into a movement of affirmation.

The Black Excellence Group understands that recognition has the power to change lives. For some honorees, the award represents decades of service. For others, it marks a breakthrough moment in a journey still unfolding. For the young women watching from the audience, it offers something equally important: a vision of what is possible.

Through the Black Girl Magic Image Awards & Scholarship Gala, the Black Excellence Group continues to create a space where Black women can be celebrated without comparison, honored without reservation, and reminded that their stories matter.

The tears, standing ovations, embraces, laughter, and unforgettable moments of 2024 and 2025 were more than memories.

And perhaps most importantly, they were nights that moved a community.

Our Community Has the Power to Make the Difference

As we prepare for another year of celebrating Black women and investing in Black girls, we are asking our community to do more than attend.

We are asking you to give.

Every contribution to the Black Excellence Group's scholarship drive helps us continue providing educational support to deserving young women pursuing higher education.

Your donation may help purchase books. It may help with tuition. It may help cover supplies, technology, transportation, housing, or another educational expense that stands between a student and the degree she is working so hard to earn.

And whatever the amount, your gift matters.

When we come together, small acts of generosity become something much larger: an opportunity.

Help Us Keep the Magic Moving

Imagine what happens when a young woman receives a scholarship and realizes that an entire community believes in her.

Imagine what happens when she walks across the stage at graduation knowing that people she may never have met contributed to her journey.

Imagine what happens when she takes that degree into the world and uses it to build a business, become a doctor, educator, attorney, artist, scientist, entrepreneur, community leader, or whatever she has been called to become.

That is the return on our investment.

But there are more young women waiting for their opportunity.

Will You Help Us Give Her One?

The Black Excellence Group is calling on individuals, families, businesses, organizations, churches, community leaders, and friends of the arts to stand with us.

BGM Awards 2026 — Save the Date

The Black Excellence Group is proud to announce that the 2026 Black Girl Magic Image Awards & Scholarship Gala is already in the works. Mark your calendars:

Nominations are open. If you know a woman who embodies Black excellence — in business, education, faith, the arts, public service, or her community — we want to hear her story.