Cultural impact and longevity aptly capture the sustained influence of Black entertainment. In acting, music, sports, or film, Black creatives consistently bring excellence, creativity, and cultural influence to each field. Lexus and Uptown Magazine recognized these outstanding individuals on March 11 by co-hosting the Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood awards.
The annual event, with luxury automotive brand Lexus in partnership with UPTOWN Magazine, will celebrate this year’s class of Black Hollywood creatives at the Sunset Room Hollywood. Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood is a premier awards program held during Oscars week that recognizes the contributions of Black creators in the industry and has been doing so for over a decade.
“For over 16 years, UPTOWN has been committed to elevating or celebrating Black excellence in Hollywood because our stories and images deserve to be seen, valued, and celebrated with intention. This Oscar Week event was created to address the ongoing gap in recognition by honoring Black creatives and executives—both in front of and behind the camera—whose work shapes the industry and culture at large. This year, we proudly spotlight Black men whose vision, influence, and leadership are building lasting legacies for future generations.” – Len Burnett, Founder, UPTOWN Magazine.
This year’s honorees exemplify achievement in their respective fields. Mario Van Peebles, a versatile director and actor, will receive the Icon of Achievement Award for his groundbreaking contributions in films such as New Jack City and Baadasssss. Taye Diggs, celebrated for his dynamic performances on stage and screen, will receive the Impact and Excellence Award. Wood Harris, known for his enduring roles in iconic projects like The Wire and Remember the Titans, will be honored with the Fearless Trailblazer Award. Omar Benson Miller, recognized for his range in both film and television, will receive the Amplified Impact Award for the breadth of his career.
“It’s an honor being here and receiving this award,” Peebles said. Peebles’ illustrious career is filled with iconic films, including “New Jack City,” the docudrama “Baadasssss,” “ALI,” Hulu’s “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” “Roots,” the “Salt-N-Pepa” biopic, and “Outlaw Posse,” among others, with his legendary father, director Melvin Van Peebles. “His voice and mine sound very similar in certain ways when I sit down and start creating and working on new projects,” Peebles said. He still uses the advice his dad gave him throughout his career, even after his dad passed away. “My dad had a lot of love and a lot of play, but he was still a tough dad and person.”
Harris is the definition of longevity, an actor for decades, starring in classics “Paid In Full,” “The Wire,” “Remember the Titans,” the “Creed” movies, Netflix’s “Forever,” and the Oscar-winning “One Battle After Another,” and many more. “I’m amazed and blessed to have such a long career, but it’s truly an unpredictable life I’ve lived so far, and I’m overall just grateful for it,” Harris said about his career arc and his success. “Not being egotistical is probably one of my best attributes, and it has helped me come a long way in my personal and professional life.” Harris attended the award show with his daughter, a surprise, as he is known for keeping his life private.
Omar Benson Miller’s impact is settled, but his resume shows how versatile and talented his acting skills are, as he starred in blockbuster hits such as “8 Mile,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” HBO’s “Ballers,” and the record-breaking Oscar-nominated “Sinners,” and more.
“I always wanted to do meaningful work from the moment I started my career till now, and I’m glad that a lot of my work has reached and impacted a worldwide audience of different colors and nationalities,” Miller said about his resume and why he is extremely proud to be part of the success of Sinners. “It’s more than just a laugh or a movie you see once and forget about. It’s become part of people’s cultural lexicon; whether it’s words from the movie or different themes, it’s always about the impact.”