ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Distinguished entertainers, filmmakers, musicians and creative professionals gathered at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 17, for the 18th Annual D’CEM Awards of Global Excellence 2026. The ceremony brought together established industry figures and emerging talent for an evening of honorary recognition, category awards, live performances and red-carpet fashion.
CityMag News24 was on the ground to cover the celebration, which drew celebrities and guests from across the entertainment community. From the arrivals to the award presentations, the occasion reflected D’CEM’s continuing commitment to recognising creative achievement and encouraging connections across cultures.
The red carpet set the tone for the evening. Guests arrived in formal gowns, tailored suits and distinctive cultural attire, bringing individual expressions of style to the Atlanta gathering. Elaborate detailing, statement accessories and carefully coordinated looks made fashion a prominent part of the celebration as honorees, nominees and their supporters gathered ahead of the ceremony.
Prince Eke, Daniel K. Daniel and Debby Classique hosted the event, with Bianca, Erica and Jasmine contributing to the presentation programme. The evening combined recognition of long-standing careers with awards highlighting current achievements in film, music, comedy, media and other creative disciplines.
In her welcome address, D’CEM chief executive Debby Classique spoke about the purpose behind the gathering: creating opportunities for creative professionals to be recognised, encouraging their continued development and bringing people together through the arts. Her remarks placed the evening within the wider work of a platform now marking its eighteenth annual celebration.
Hall of Fame recognition formed a central part of the programme. Tray Chaney received the D’CEM Awards Hall of Fame Lifetime Legacy Achievement honour, while Charles Inojie was recognised with the D’CEM Hall of Fame Lifetime Legacy Achievement honour.
Legendary Doc Curry received the Lifetime Legacy Hall of Fame Achievement Award for Excellence in Hip-Hop and Global Music Culture. Mr Raw was honoured with the D’CEM Hall of Fame Legacy Achievement Award for Excellence in Hip-Hop, Music and Cultural Impact. Bobby T. Thompson received the Hall of Fame Lifetime Legacy Award for Excellence in Film and Cinematic Arts.
These presentations brought together contributions spanning screen entertainment, music and cultural expression, placing established careers alongside the achievements of a new generation of creatives.
The honorary programme also recognised professionals whose work extends across production, writing, performance and industry leadership. Russell Wyche received the Excellence in Independent Film Production and Cinematic Leadership Award. Shaun M. Mathis was honoured with the Legacy Award for Excellence in Screenwriting and Cinematic Storytelling, while Barrington Marson received the Distinguished Creative Empowerment Merit Award.
Pierre V. Johnson received the Outstanding Screen Actor Recognition Award. Maurice P. Kerry was recognised for excellence in the film industry and cinematic storytelling, and DeMarcus Bumpers received the Outstanding Achievement in Film and Cinematic Arts Award.
Dr. LaKeisha LaGuins received the Outstanding Legacy Achievement Award in Entertainment. Danielle Leigh Jackson was honoured for her contributions to talent development, mental health advocacy and cinematic empowerment.
The programme extended beyond film and music to recognise Christine Ferea with the American Icon Award for Excellence in Combat Sports and Athletic Achievement. Leo Sullivan received the Distinguished Legacy Icon Award for Excellence in Literary Arts, Film and Cinematic Impact.
Further honorary recognition went to Michael James Sewell Jr. for lead acting and cinematic impact; Elijah Lamar for independent filmmaking and cinematic arts; and Michael Steven-Paul, also known as Mikey Jay, for lifetime excellence in film, television and community impact.
Brian “Maverick” Clouston received the Empowerment Merit Award for Excellence in Acting, while George Buff, known as Gudda King, received the Distinguished Creative Empowerment Merit Award in Creative Arts. Charles Edobor, known as EdoCharles, was honoured with the Legacy Icon Award for Excellence in Comedy and Diaspora Entertainment Creative Impact.
Xica Bee received the Distinguished Breakout Actress of the Year honour. Tolex African Grill was recognised with the Best Business of the Year Award, and May Owen received the International Nollywood Icon Award.
The category awards highlighted achievements across independent cinema and the wider entertainment sector. Tiffany Graham won Best Film Director of the Year, Silk White received Best Director—Drama, and Kiki Lowery won Best Director—Action/Thriller.
Alphonso Settles won Best Actor in an Indie Movie of the Year, while LaPorsha Ellis received Best Actress in an Indie Movie of the Year. Sasha Love won Best Lead Actress in an Indie Film for Our Daily Bread, and Telesee T-Stephen received Outstanding Talent in an Indie Movie of the Year.
Brian “Maverick” Clouston added Best Supporting Actor of the Year to his honorary recognition. DeMarcus Jackson Sr. won Indie Star—Best Actor in a Supporting Role, while Wendy Denise Wilson won Indie Star—Best Actress in a Supporting Role. May Owen received Best Supporting Actress of the Year in the African Films, USA-Based category for Shattered Trust.
Reflection won Best Short Movie of the Year, and The Clean Up received Best Movie of the Year. Natasha Eli won Best Actress in a TV Series, while Derrick Muhammad received Best Writer of the Year.
Emerging performers also featured prominently. Michael M. Jackson received Most Promising Actor/Actress of the Year, and Anneka Honor won Most Promising Actress of the Year. Frederick Taylor received Rising Star Actor, Sidney received Rising Star Actress, and Terrance King won Best Rising Movie Star of the Year. Shirley Oke received Best Rising Actor/Actress to Watch in the Afro-International Film category for Under My Roof.
In comedy, ComedyBae won Best Creative Stand-Up Comedian of the Year in the Queens category, while De’Anthony Turner received the corresponding Kings honour. Jermaine Jackson won Most Creative Comedy Skit Producer of the Year, and Daddy Clivert received Best Content Creator of the Year.
Music honours included Best Artist—Soul and Vocal Performance for JMEEL and Best Breakthrough Song of the Year for George Buff Gudda King’s Hustling. DJ Goodnoiz received Best Afro-International DJ of the Year.
Mo Clark won Best Red Carpet Host, and Ciera Finger received Most Outstanding Red Carpet recognition. Event-host recognition included Ciera Finger and Uche, known as UBLN—Master of Ceremonies. Nikky Terry received Best Make-Up Artist of the Year, Dr. Shupier Jones received Best Hairstylist of the Year, and Dr. Ryan Scott received the Golden Pinnacle Award.
Live entertainment added another dimension to the programme. Performances featured Mr Raw, WAGA G, JMEEL, Hasani Vibez, Mr Him Him, Erica Hill and EME, also known as May Owen. Legacy Music Group provided live-band entertainment, while DJ Dutchy contributed to the evening’s musical programme.
The combination of live music, award presentations and red-carpet appearances gave guests opportunities to celebrate both the honorees’ accomplishments and the creative community gathered around them.
In her closing remarks, Debby Classique thanked the honorees, nominees, winners, hosts, presenters, performers, production team, supporters and guests who contributed to the ceremony. Her acknowledgement brought attention to the collective effort behind the event, including the work carried out beyond the stage and cameras.
For Debby Classique Entertainment Magazine and CityMag News24, the Atlanta ceremony offered a record of an entertainment community celebrating its established figures while making room for new voices. The 18th annual D’CEM Awards concluded with recognition extending across generations, disciplines and cultures—a reflection of the organisation’s commitment to celebrating excellence and bridging cultures.
