Usher Receives Global Visionary Award, Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good Announce Engagement at Ebony Power 100 Gala (2024)

Usher was named the global visionary of the year at Ebony’s Power 100 Gala on Nov. 17. On stage, the Grammy winner discussed using his Super Bowl halftime show performance to showcase Southern culture.

“Over 20 million people tuned in as I managed to squeeze 30 years of a career into 15 minutes and grace the world with the culture of the south and what it meant,” Usher said. “I brought the world to the A!”

Usher said that the halftime show and other events like it are simply another opportunity to serve as an ambassador of change. “I have had the power to advocate and change the lives of many, many people, and I’ve done that,” he explained. “It’d be a detriment to our culture, and on a global scale, for me not to use that power and the visibility that I have to be able to be the change that I want to see.”

While accepting the People’s choice award, Da’Vine Joy Randolph shared how she has found purpose in being the lone Black voice on primarily white productions. “It is far more comfortable to be in an all-Black musical about Pharrell’s life,” she said, comparing her role in the upcoming film “Atlantis” to starring in “The Holdovers,” for which she won the best supporting actress Oscar earlier this year.

Randolph went on to explain the importance of working with white filmmakers like “The Holdovers” director Alexander Payne, who understand that they’re not experts in the Black experience and foster a spirit of collaboration to get the characterization right. “Sometimes I choose projects because I want to make sure that they see us,” she said.

Usher and Randolph also shouted out Ebony magazine, which celebrates its 79th anniversary this year, for inspiring them to chase their dreams. Both entertainers shared memories of being youngsters flipping through the magazine and the barber and beauty shop, respectively.

“I used to rip out pages — whether it was how they looked, or seeing Black love or seeing a Black person being successful and prosperous – I would shove it in my pocked and I would take it home and then I would put it on a board,” Randolph said.

Usher added: “These incredible stories about these amazing people and these photographs made me have an imagination. If I didn’t have that, I would not be who I am as an artist.”

“Survival of the Thickest” stars Michelle Buteau and Tone Bell hosted the black tie gala, held at Nya Studios West in Hollywood, which celebrated influential Black talent across entertainment, sports, business and culture. In addition to Usher and Randolph, special honorees included Cynthia Erivo (Pathbreaker of the Year), Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw (Humanitarian Award), Uncle Nearest’s Fawn Weaver (Entrepreneur of the Year) and Vice President Kamala Harris (Icon of the Year).

See the photos below for an inside look at the ceremony.