Hollywood Unlocked returned to The Beverly Hilton on Friday night (June 5) for its sixth annual Impact Awards. The evening brought together some of the most influential voices across entertainment, music, media, politics, and philanthropy for an evening centered around one theme: impact.
Founded by media personality and entrepreneur Jason Lee, the annual ceremony recognizes individuals whose work has shaped culture, inspired communities, and created meaningful change beyond their respective industries. This year’s honorees included Tyler Perry, Kehlani, Kirk Franklin, Meagan Good, RZA, Bozoma Saint John, and Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones.
Remixd Magazine‘s Tallie Spencer was present on the red carpet to capture all the moments. During the arrivals, we asked attendees on the carpet what impact they would like to be remembered for.
Speaking with Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee, he made it clear that he wants to continue to use his platform to uplift.
“As long as I’m alive, I’m going to share my space with people whether they like me or don’t like me,” Lee said. “If they don’t like me … that’s between [them] and God.”
While chatting with reality TV star Huda Mustafa on the carpet, she said she wanted to leave people with the reminder that they can always be themselves.
“I want people to remember that you can be yourself, and to not care,” Mustafa said. “Don’t care what people think and do whatever the hell you want.”
Other answers on the carpet ranged from being remembered for legacy, or their music, or taking risks.
“I want to be remembered for giving it my all,” R&B singer Blxst said. “Put it on the line if you wanna be great, take that risk.”
Singer-songwriter Jozzy answered: “A trendsetter person who made amazing music.”
An emotional moment with Kehlani
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Kehlani reflected on the music that helped shape her during difficult moments in her childhood. The singer shared that when her mother was in jail, she only had two albums to listen to.
She mentioned it was one from Keyshia Cole and another from gospel legend Kirk Franklin. Standing just feet away from Franklin, Kehlani took the opportunity to personally thank him for the impact his music had on her life. The crowd cheered with applause.
Jason Lee reflects on a full-circle moment
The celebration also highlighted the journey of Hollywood Unlocked itself. During the evening, Jason Lee reflected on his path from purchasing Tyler Perry’s Madea films at Walmart and studying Perry’s work as a fan to eventually honoring the entertainment mogul on a stage he helped create. The full-circle moment drew one of the night’s biggest reactions from the audience.
On the carpet, Lee told Remixd Magazine, “Being black is about being bold. And also not feeling like we need to compete with another. competition over collaboration is the death of the culture.”
While the ceremony focused on honoring changemakers, the energy throughout the room often felt more like a family reunion than a traditional awards show. Comedian Gary “G-Thang” Johnson opened the evening to a lively crowd that spontaneously broke into performances throughout the night.
Guests were treated to impromptu moments from Da Brat, Yolanda Adams, Chante Moore, Yo-Yo, Inayah, and even Tyler Perry himself, who surprised attendees by showing off his singing abilities.
The evening’s entertainment lineup featured standout performances from Chlöe, Amerie, Joyner Lucas, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr, and Sheléa, each bringing their own unique energy to the stage. From gospel and R&B to hip-hop, the performances reflected the diversity of voices represented throughout the ceremony.
Looking towards a larger purpose
Beyond the celebrity appearances, the Impact Awards also served a larger purpose. The event continued to spotlight the work of the Hollywood Cares Foundation, Hollywood Unlocked’s nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black and Brown youth through leadership development, civic engagement initiatives, mentorship, and community programming. Guests contributed donations throughout the evening in support of the foundation’s ongoing mission.
The star-studded audience reflected the broad reach of the platform’s cultural influence.
It’s clear that Hollywood Unlocked continues to expand beyond media into philanthropy and community impact. The annual awards ceremony has become a gathering space for influential figures across entertainment, activism, business, and politics to recognize the people helping shape the future of culture.
