Ruby Dee, Mary J. Blige Among Honorees of 365Black Awards, to Be Hosted by Angela Bassett
(© Tristan Fuge)
Academy Award nominated actress Angela Bassett, who will be returning to Broadway in the fall in The Mountaintop, will co-host with Tom Joyner the 2011 365Black Awards, to be held on Friday, July 1, at 12:30pm in New Orleans, La., at the start of the Essence Music Festival weekend.
Among the honorees is Oscar-nominated and Grammy Award winning actress Ruby Dee, whose Broadway credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Anna Lucasta, Purlie Victorious, and Checkmates. Also being honored is multi-platinum recording artist Mary J. Blige, who is playing the role of Justice in the forthcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical, Rock of Ages.
Additional honorees include Radio One network founder Cathy Hughes, NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous, and civil rights activist and McDonald’s owner/operator Henry “Hank” Thomas.
The 365Black Awards were launched in 2003 and are an extension of McDonald’s 365Black initiative, created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round.
