2026 Passing the Torch Awards to Honor Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Excellence, Kalen Allen & Shar Jossell to Host

Better Brothers Los Angeles will present the 2026 Passing the Torch Awards, “Our Community. Our Power,” powered by Gilead, on Friday, March 20, at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, honoring rising Black LGBTQIA+ leaders across media, arts, sports and culture.

Better Brothers Los Angeles will host the 2026 Passing the Torch Awards, themed “Our Community. Our Power,” as part of Truth Awards Weekend, spotlighting the next generation of Black LGBTQIA+ excellence.

Powered by presenting sponsor Gilead, the Passing the Torch Awards will take place Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m. at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown and will set the tone for Truth Awards Weekend, widely regarded as the country’s preeminent celebration of Black queer achievement.

“‘Our Community. Our Power.’ speaks to the leadership and resilience within Black LGBTQIA+ communities, which continue to face a disproportionate burden of HIV,” Rashad Burgess, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Gilead Sciences tells Gaye Magazine. “At Gilead, we support partnerships that strengthen visibility, expand opportunity, and accelerate progress toward ending the epidemic.”

The Passing the Torch Awards recognizes emerging leaders and culture-shifting voices across media, arts, social impact, sports, and entertainment. The ceremony continues Better Brothers Los Angeles’ mission to build community, amplify visibility, and create affirming spaces for Black LGBTQIA+ people.

This year’s theme, “Our Community. Our Power.,” centers the collective influence of Black LGBTQIA+ creatives and changemakers who are shaping culture while building legacy through visibility, authorship and ownership. “In today’s world, where stories shape our reality,” said Scott Hamilton, co-founder of Better Brothers Los Angeles, “the narratives we champion through these awards have the power to redefine what’s possible for generations yet unborn. We are grateful to our partners at Gilead for amplifying our emerging voices.”

This year’s celebration will be co-hosted by actor and television personality Kalen Allen and journalist Shar Jossell. Music for the evening will be provided by DJ DarJar. Performances will include sets by Cameron Wright, Jus10, and headliner India Shawn.

The 2026 honorees reflect a wide range of influence and impact.

Eric Hart Jr. will receive the Media & Arts Award for his contributions to storytelling and representation. Willie Greene, founder of the digital platform We The Urban, will be honored with the Social Media Award for his platform’s reach in uplifting and affirming messages centered on identity, healing, and self-worth.

WNBA champion Sydney Colson will receive the Courage Award, acknowledging her leadership and visibility as a Black queer athlete. Comedian and writer Dewayne Perkins will be presented with the Breakout Star Award, highlighting his growing impact across television and stand-up comedy. Playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper will receive the Passing the Torch Award, honoring his creative achievements and commitment to expanding narratives of Black queer life.

The True Colors Grant supports emerging creators whose work embodies courage, imagination, and community-centered storytelling. Last year’s grantee, Daniel P. Calderon, will announce the 2026 finalists and reveal this year’s recipient during the ceremony.

Organizers describe the Passing the Torch Awards as both a celebration and a continuation,  an intergenerational exchange that honors those building upon the foundation laid by earlier trailblazers. As part of Truth Awards Weekend, the event situates rising talent within a broader lineage of Black LGBTQIA+ advocacy and cultural production.

“Our theme serves as a bridge between memory and the future,” said Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist, chair of the 2026 Passing the Torch Advisory Council. “It recalls our collective efforts toward progress while reminding us to center community as we keep the torch burning bright.”

Better Brothers Los Angeles, founded to support and connect Black gay men and allies, has grown into a leading organization dedicated to mentorship, scholarship, health advocacy, and community engagement. Through events like the Passing the Torch Awards, the organization underscores its commitment to cultivating leadership and affirming spaces amid ongoing social and political challenges.

With “Our Community. Our Power” as its guiding theme, the 2026 ceremony aims to center collective strength and shared responsibility. From digital platforms to professional sports arenas and Broadway stages, this year’s honorees represent the breadth of Black LGBTQIA+ influence across industries.

As Truth Awards Weekend unfolds in Los Angeles, the Passing the Torch Awards will serve as a reminder that visibility and community remain intertwined,  and that the future of Black queer excellence is already taking shape.