Gotham Hall, nestled in the heart of Broadway, New York City, transformed into a hub of celebration and excellence as the BlackStars Experience Gala honored 30 trailblazing Black industry leaders. This annual event, held on Friday November 8th this year, highlighted distinguished individuals who have made profound impact across industries including technology, business, arts, healthcare, and social justice. The gala was a powerful showcase of Black talent and innovation, affirming the contributions of leaders driving meaningful change in their fields.
Watch highlights from the awards gala here:
The evening began with a cocktail reception and red carpet experience, where honorees and guests mingled, enjoying live entertainment, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres in a vibrant pre-awards setting. At 7:30 p.m., the gathering transitioned to the grand setting of Gotham Hall for the awards dinner and ceremony, where speeches, presentations, and accolades underscored the far-reaching impact of Black leadership.
The 2024 BlackStars Honorees
The 2024 BlackStars honorees, each a leader in their field, were recognized for their contributions and the transformational impact they’ve had in their industries:
Aaron Walton – Co-founder and CEO of Walton Isaacson, a top Black-owned advertising agency.
Akinyemi T. Akiwowo – Global Chief Operating Officer, Morgan Stanley Litigation.
Dr. Naana Boakye – Founder of Bergen Dermatology, a board-certified dermatologist.
Franklin Reed – Executive Director of Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, TEKsystems.
Ilya Brown – Former VP of Product Management at Google, leading products like Gmail and Calendar.
J. Ofori Agboka – VP of People Experience and Technology for Global Operations at Amazon.
J.D. Myers II – Senior VP & East Region Manager for Cox Communications.
Rodney Jordan – Global COO for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Kori Davis Porter – Senior VP and Head of Business Operations at the NBA.
Lakecia Gunter – Former CTO for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions, board member at IDEX Corporation.
Lanaya Irvin – CEO of Coqual, a think tank focused on workplace diversity and inclusion.
Latoya Christian – Managing Partner and Executive Director at GroupM, guiding projects for brands like Target.
Melissa Potter – Executive Director of Content for Change at Paramount, with a career in media and social impact.
Michael Richardson – VP of North America Distribution at Henry Schein Inc.
Natalee Graham – Managing Director of Volcker Compliance and Americas Treasury at Mizuho Americas.
Natalya G. Johnson, Esq. – Senior Counsel at Johnson & Johnson and President of the Garden State Bar Foundation.
Neisha Foster – VP of Product Access, Global Health & Social Impact at Pfizer.
Dr Percy Boateng – Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mount Sinai, National Director of the Mitral Valve Repair Center.
Pia Flanagan – Head of Mass Markets at MassMutual.
Quita Beeler Highsmith – VP and Chief Diversity Officer at Genentech, a Roche company.
Jules Kroll – Executive Chair and Co-founder of K2 Integrity.
Richard Aby – Integrated Markets Business Strategy leader for Citi in Latin America.
Rick C. Wade – Senior VP of Strategic Alliances and Outreach, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Roger G. Arrieux Jr. – Financial strategist specializing in risk management for public and private sectors.
Ronke Ekwensi – VP of Data at T-Mobile.
Rose Stuckey Kirk – Senior VP and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Verizon.
Ryan L. Smith – Executive VP and Board Director of Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
Sheila D. Stephens – VP and Assistant Treasurer at Kaiser Permanente.
Special Recognitions
Aside the above honorees, two additional awards highlighted unique contributions to the Black community and academia:
Prof. Abdon Atangana – A leading mathematician celebrated for his pioneering work in fractional calculus. His research, influential worldwide, has advanced applied mathematics significantly.
NABA Inc. (National Association of Black Accountants) – Honored for its unwavering support of Black professionals in accounting, finance, and business. Through scholarships, mentorship, and community engagement, NABA Inc. fosters representation and opportunity for future Black leaders.
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After the awards concluded at 10 p.m., attendees were invited to continue celebrating at an exclusive after-party at The Dean NYC, extending the night’s festivities and connections.
The BlackStars Experience Gala was more than just a night of awards; it was a tribute to the achievements and progress fueled by Black leaders. With an eye toward the future, this gathering highlighted the promise of continued transformation through diverse and equitable leadership across every sector.
