Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis was among the celebrities who supported the inaugural Black Love, Inc. Black Love Honors Brunch.
Hosted by Niecy Nash-Betts at the Hudson Loft in downtown Los Angeles, the awards program recognizes the contributions of culture-changing personalities dedicated to advancing love in all its forms across six categories: Self-Love, Relationship, Community Impact, Wellness , storytelling and icons, according to the organization’s press release.
This year’s honorees include Davis and husband Julius Tennon, Kendrick Sampson, Lauren London, Erica Campbell and husband Warryn Campbell, and DeVon Franklin.
VIP: Viola Davis, 57, was among the honorees at Black Love, Inc.’s inaugural Black Love Honors Brunch on Sunday in downtown Los Angeles
Glowing under the intense lights of the event’s red carpet, 57-year-old Davis displayed her impeccable fashion sense in a floral off-the-shoulder dress that included aqua blue and orange-red.
The top part, separated from the rest of the conspicuous number, hung down several inches to give a hint of her cleavage.
She matched perfectly by wearing orange-red heels and had her raven locks styled in a bob that was a few inches above her shoulders with slight waves and a center parting.
Lovefest: Davis and husband Julius Tennon, who have been married for more than 19 years, packed the PDA at the event
time for couples; Davis and Tennon chatted with Codie Oliver and husband Tommy Oliver, creators of the Black Love documentaries, which have thrived on the Oprah Winfrey Network for six seasons since 2017
The Help actress also decided to keep accessories to a minimum, sporting just a pair of earrings and her wedding ring.
On a few occasions, she snuggled up next to her husband Julius Tennon for a photo shoot.
The Texas native, 68, an accomplished film, television and theater producer and actor with over 30 years of experience, looked handsome in black pants, a white button-down shirt under a light plaid blazer and brown leather shoes.
At one point, the couple stopped to chat with film producers Codie Elaine Oliver and husband Tommy Oliver, who are the creators of the Black Love documentaries, which bring together couples about the joys, challenges, and realities of love, marriage, and romance in the black community speak .
Hosting the show: Niecy Nash, 52, hosted the Black Love Honors brunch
Lovebirds: Nash and Jessica Betts have been married for more than two years
Another first: Nash and Betts made history earlier this year when they became the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of Essence magazine in the March/April 2022 issue
Black Love premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network in August 2017, becoming the most-watched unscripted series debut in the network’s history.
“As we continue to navigate the next decade of the new millennium, our mission has become even more important. That’s why we decided to expand the Black Love experience with our exclusive Black Love Honors Brunch,” said Codie Elaine Oliver.
She further emphasized the “commitment to empowering and celebrating the black community through the lens of love 365 days a year, while providing a safe space for black love to thrive.”
Token of love: Actor and activist Kendrick Sampson, 34, showed off his fashion sense in a black ensemble that included a long duster coat, matching trousers and pointy boots
Shows of support: Actor Jay Ellis, 40, cuddled up with Sampson in their stylish outfits
The sixth and final season of Black Love was released in July. As part of the final portion of the show, Black Love, Inc. will continue to spread its “message through a series of live events, digital video series and exciting partnerships that contextualize and amplify the realities of the Black Love experience.”
Nash, 52, and Jessica Betts, 40, color-coordinated in stylish black ensembles, showed off their chemistry for the cameras
The couple, who have been married for more than two years, made history earlier this year when they became the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of Essence magazine in the March/April 2022 issue, according to People.
Beaming: Producer, author and motivational speaker Devon Franklin, 44, smiled as he was among the recipients of the Black Love Honors brunch