Black Excellence Honors Gala 2026

Global Black Pride has announced the first-ever Global Black Pride Honors, celebrating Black LGBTQ+ artists, innovators, and cultural figures who are shaping culture across the world.

France leads the way this year with 17 nominations across eight categories. Kiddy Smile and Zach Campbell are tied for first place with four nominations each.

From music to film, via literature, sports, drag and nightlife: this is Black queer excellence, etched in history.

“This is a huge moment to celebrate our culture. The Black LGBTQ+ community isn’t just part of today’s culture—it’s driving it forward, shaping it, transforming it. These Honors are our way of making history.” — Global Black Pride

The categories and nominees are:

- Musical Artist of the Year: Duran Bernarr (USA), Amaarae (Ghana/USA), Doechii (USA), Kehlani (USA), Ludmilla (Brazil), Khalid (USA), Saucy Santana (USA), Shygirl (UK), Jean Lycinaïs (France), Liniker (Brazil), Zach Campbell (USA)

- Creative Artist of the Year: Kiddy Smile (France), Zanele Muholi (South Africa), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (USA), Billy Porter (USA), MNEK (UK), Jack Mizrahi "Jack Gucci" (USA), Omari Wiles & Arturo Lyons (USA), Qween Jean (USA), Law Roach (USA), Rich Mnisi (South Africa).

- Song of the Year: "Anxiety" by Doechi (USA), "Folded" by Kenlani (USA), "SMO" by Amaarae (Ghana/USA), "Paraiso" by Ludmilla (Brazil), "To Kill a Single Girl (Tequila)" by Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa), "True Religion" by Shygirl (UK), "Worst Behviour (Remix)" by Kwn ft Kethiani (UK), "In Plain Sight" by Khalid (USA), "She's Raw" by Jessica Betts (USA), "Danje" by Jean Lycinaïs (France), "DMQTMA" by Kiddy Smile (France), "Midnight Bodies" by Zach Campbell (USA)

- Album of the year: "Bloom" by Durand Bernarr (USA), "Black Star" by Amaarae (Ghana/USA), "Full Moon" by Monchild Sanelly (South Africa), "Fragmentos" by Ludmilla (Brazil), "LOVE ON DIGITAL" by Destin Conrad (USA), "CAJU" by Limiker (Brazil), "Club Shy Room 2" by Shygirl (UK), "Do You Know Everything?" by Lava La Rue (UK), "Story Time (Prelude)" by Jean Lycinaïs (France), "Repris de Justesse" by Kiddy Smile (France), "after the sun goes down" by Khalid (USA), "Midnight Bodies" by Zach Campbell (USA).

- Drag King/Queen of the year: Onya Nurve (USA), King Molasses (USA), Sasha Colby (USA), Kori King (USA), Tenderoni (USA), Pressure K (Keena Blythe) (USA), Soa de Muse (France), Tia Kofi (UK), Miles Long (USA), Keiona (France).

- Rising Star: Kwn (Khyra Wilson) (United Kingdom), Malawitte (France), Zach Campbell (United States), Billy The Goat (United States), Lava La Rue (United Kingdom), Dreamer Isioma (United States), K.keed (South Africa), Honey Balenciaga (United States), Dayodane (Dayo Dane Ephraim) (United States/Nigeria), Temmie Ovwasa (Nigeria), Destin Conrad (United States)

- Social media influencer of the year: Ericka Hart (Cross-platform), B. Hawk Snipes (fashion, lifestyle), Char Ellesse (lifestyle), Denzel Dion (YouTube), Morgan Noam (France), Rickey Thompson (Instagram/TikTok), Jay Versace (Cross-platform), Gaye Magazine (Cross-platform), Terrell & Jarius (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube), Zaya Wade (Instagram).

- Film & Television Excellence Award: Colman Domingo (USA), Cynthia Erivo (UK/Nigeria), Ncuti Gatwa (Rwanda/Scotland), Rodney Chester (USA), Ts Madison (USA), Terrelle Carter (USA), Niecy Nash-Betts (USA), Jerrod Carmichael (USA), Nakhane (South Africa), Karamo Brown (USA), Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim (Nigeria).

- Writer of the Year: Eloghosa Osunde (Nigeria), George M. Johnson (USA), Chiké Frankie Edozien (Nigeria, USA), Bryan Washington (USA), Yrsa Daley-Ward (UK), Arinze Ifeakandu (Nigeria), Danez Smith (USA), Denne Michele Norris (USA), Kacen Callender (Virgin Islands), Joëlle Sambi (Belgium/Congo).

- Sportsperson of the year: Caster Semenya (South Africa), Cindy Ngamba (Cameroon/United Kingdom), Brittney Griner (United States), Sha'Carru Richardson (United States), Jérémy Clamy-Edroux (France), Jess Carter (United Kingdom), Natasha Cloud (United States), Dijonai Carrington (United States), Raven Saunders (United States), CeCé Telfer (Jamaica/United States).

- DJ of the year: Honey Dijon (USA), Kiddy Smile (France), MikeQ (USA), Byrell the Great (USA), LSDXOXO (USA/Germany), Donnie Sunshine (Jamell William) (UK), Miller Blk (UK), Dry Babe (UK), Tati Au Miel (Canada), Sydney Love "SYDNIVERSE" (Nigeria), Jash Jay (USA).



Translated automatically - see original description in French