(Black PR Wire) On October 21, 2022, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group hosted the first annual TheGrio Awards, a new event dedicated to celebrating “luminaries from the worlds of film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice and education, as well as cultural icons and innovators whose many contributions positively impact America.” The glamorous night was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and aired across national television on November 5, 2022 via theGrio Television Network and other Allen Media Group television and digital platforms.

Tyler Perry was honored with the Icon Award for his philanthropy and “embodiment of the American Dream,” as noted by The Grio Network’s Janelle Harris Dixon. “As if his empire could be richer, Perry is a mogul with a giver’s heart and his philanthropy, both through the Perry Foundation and his individual giving, is iconic in and of itself,” Janelle writes. “He’s paid for strangers’ funerals, bought folks groceries during the pandemic and made a $1 million donation to the NAACP, its largest gift ever from a single donor. The opportunities he’s created for other folks — Black actors, writers, creatives, just people needing a chance to shine — are part of the happy ending he’s writing for himself.”

With the media group and platform’s spotlight on African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports, and entertainment, the star-studded awards were hosted by comedian Sheryl Underwood and actor Taye Diggs, with performances from Yolanda Adams, Tyrese Gibson, Fantasia and Patti LaBelle. Tyler Perry was honored alongside Ben Crump (Justice Icon Award), Alena Analeigh McQuarter (Young Icon Award), Jennifer Hudson (Trailblazer Icon Award), Dave Chappelle (Cultural Icon Award), and more. As The Giro Awards continue, we are looking forward to the annual celebration of these groundbreaking creatives and their impactful work. See a full list of the 2022 honorees here.