Black Brilliance is central on 2025 Black Music Moguls Brunch

The entertainment elite of Atlanta dressed to impress an incredible afternoon at the gathering place to honor inheritance, leadership and cultural impact on the 6th annual Black Music Moguls Brunch. Organized by Liz Smith and Jaleel Thurman, compiled with sounds by DJ Jazzy T, the affair of June 22 was one Celebration of different notables of the music industry Bringing the culture forward, both behind the boards and in the boardrooms.

Made by Niya Skyy Hogans, the Black Music Moguls Brunch has become one of the most inspiring and deliberate events in the city. “I made this because I wanted to give flowers to people, not only the artists, but also the people behind the scenes: the lawyers, the managers, the journalists, the media,” Hogans shared. “It is great to maintain the year after year. I have my start of people behind the scenes, as my mentor Cannon Ken Grant, who presented today. She gave me my first job, so it’s great to share the stage with her and I always want to share that love and celebrate people’s legacy.”

Guests enjoyed gray goose cocktails and brunch boards piled up with shrimp and grits, turkey bacon, fruit, eggs and chicken sausage. Sponsored by Gray Goose, MNRK Music Group, Red Bull and Pronghorn, the Brunch hit the perfect balance between elegance and empowerment.

This year’s Honorees include a dynamic group of game changers: Joshua “J1” Raiford, vice-president of Pandora of music programming and program director for Siriusxm’s Pandora Now, Mixtape Pioneer and Generation NOWTOORTIE, and DJIE DRAIE DJNIE Lawrence-Watkins.

Joshua “J1” Raiford, known for his radio expertise and groundbreaking activities in music programming, was deeply moved by the recognition. “I have organized this event in the past two years, I have been honored so is an incredibly full-circle moment,” he said. “I always keep God in the first place, work hard and treat people with respect, regardless of the title. The music business is all about relationships – but the most important thing is with God.”

Raiford tributed to his mother, who was present, and his deceased father, whose memory feeds his goal. “If God gives you a dream or a vision, he has given it to you for a reason. Have confidence that he has made the facility for the vision, just be flexible with the path needed to get there.”

Zaytoven, the legendary producer behind hits from Gucci Mane to Usher, was honored with the Visionary Award. At a moving moment he thought about his childhood in Mississippi, where his story of musical origin started in the church. “I never thought I would be at the organ four or five days a week, to do this,” he said. “I thank God for my gifts and for giving a vision, not only to be a church musician, but also to be a black music magnate.”

He also shared how love and partnership helped his journey and shouted his 18 -year -old wife, who believed in him from his days when she cut her in Barber School: “She told everyone that I made Beats before anyone knew who I was.”

DJ Drama, a pioneer of Southern Mixtape Culture and co-founder of Generation Now, accepted the Trendsetter Award. “My journey has always been to go against the grain,” he said. From his early mixtapes with Tip and Jezy to launching stars such as Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow, Drama reminded the audience that believes in your vision is non-negotiable. “No matter how crazy your ideas are, they are what you make them. I am living proof of that.”

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, the award-winning entertainment lawyer and founder of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, held one of the most exciting speeches of the afternoon. “In an industry where creativity is currency, legal power is protection,” she said. “Our work is advocacy. It is empowerment. It is a legacy building.”

She devoted her price to every black law student who questioned their place in the entertainment field. “For those who came for me, the legal spirits that navigated in an industry that did not always welcome us, you laid the foundation so that we could walk with confidence. We are not only here to advise. We can be told here.”

The presence of mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, who appeared via Video, further confirmed the impact of the event: “Atlanta is a city that is synonymous with black excellence. This event strengthens our communities, improves our culture and stimulates economic development.”

During the event, applause sounded while Honorees spoke out of the heart. Tears were shed, toasts were raised and photos were taken, but the focus remained on the message that Black Excellency can best be achieved through faith, hard work and community.

Black Music Moguls Brunch started with Niya Skyy Hogans Vision to ensure that those who are often overlooked are seen, heard and celebrated. She, and executive producer Emma Jackson, professionally carried out that mission with Sunday’s brunch. From producers to program directors, lawyers to legends, the event was a reflection of the sparkle that often happens behind the scenes.

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