Native Son has announced the honorees of its 2025 Native Son Awards, recognizing the accomplishments and advocacy of Black gay and queer men.
This year, the organization will honor actor Colman Domingo, costume designer Paul Tazewell, choreographer Sean Bankhead, multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams, National Black Justice Coalition CEO and Executive Director Dr. David J. Johns and founder of the Black AIDS Institute Phill Wilson.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition at the Native Son Awards,” Tazewell, who made history earlier this year when he became the first African American male costume designer to be nominated for the Academy Award for best costume design, which he later won for his work on Wicked, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “This organization is incredibly close to my heart, and to be acknowledged by a community that celebrates the brilliance and resilience of Black queer and gay men is truly humbling. Thank you for seeing me.”
In addition to recognizing the aforementioned honorees, the event will feature performances by Grammy award-nominated singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr and The Voice contestant Deon Jones. The program will also include social impact moments led by former Native Son Awards honorees Rashad Robinson, Alphonso David and Keith Boykin highlighting Black and queer history.
The Native Son Awards were created by media professional and professor Emil Wilbekin as an extension of his Native Son movement, designed to be a safe space for the Black gay community to commune and celebrate one another. The gala, first held in 2016, serves as a fundraiser to support Native Son’s programs and initiatives throughout the year.
“As Native Son looks toward our milestone 10th anniversary next year, it is incredible to think about not only how much the movement has grown but how much it was and continues to be needed in this community,” said Wilbekin in a news release. “The work that we are doing and the safer spaces we have created is especially critical as we think about the countless challenges we are facing at this moment in our country’s history. Our community is seeing erasure, rollbacks of important protections and, in general, the enforcement of anti-LGBTQ legislation. At Native Son, we are committed to remaining steadfast in the storm to continue to uphold and archive the voice, visibility and existence of Black gay and queer men.”
The Native Son Awards will be held during Pride Month on June 11 at the IAC Building in New York City. Former CNN broadcast journalist Don Lemon will serve as host for the third consecutive year.
