What happens when vision meets purpose? The community shows up fully and receives the flowers they deserve.
In late March, the Pennsylvania Professional Image Alliance (PPIA) hosted Black On Noir, an upscale award ceremony held at the historical African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP.org) to elevate and celebrate Black-owned businesses and pioneers in the Philadelphia community.
Ahead, learn the inspiration behind the event and why it was one to remember.
A Beautiful Start To The Evening
Guests from different walks of life showed up dressed to impress in stylish black evening attire that echoed the intention of the event. “We are creating spaces where Black excellence isn’t just recognized— it’s expected,” founder Ann Turner shared about the inspiration behind the elevated event series. “Black on Noir was created to honor who we are, our brilliance, and our ability to build, sustain, and uplift our communities.”
The evening opened with a warm welcome from the iconic radio personality and everyone’s favorite Auntie, the iconic Patty Jackson (WDAS FM/105.3), who kept the program flowing seamlessly. A heartfelt invocation by Pastor Kevin Chapman reminded us all of the importance of gratitude, purpose, and the power of gathering together in excellence.
While mingling over delicious food and desserts provided by Victoria Kitchen & Catering, Star Fusion Restaurant, Kitchen Korners, Aunt Verlea’s Pound Cake Experience, and Banana Nana Pudding, guests enjoyed the sounds of singer Shatyra Henry and three-time Emmy Award-winner musician/producer Bill Jolly.
Spotlight On Black-Owned Brilliance
Black on Noir celebrated excellence. It was beautiful to be in a room filled with incredible entrepreneurs across culinary, beauty, wellness, and creative industries.
Some of the highlight brands included Integrity Hair Care Systems, Honey Blowout, TWB Cleaning Services, Past Your Bedtime, Champion Dentistry, and Julio Anthony Photography, who reminded us that Black business is not only thriving—it’s innovating.
In networking, it was a confirmation that if we support Black businesses, we support legacy, ownership, and generational wealth.
We also enjoyed mingling with some of our ‘Women In Media’ honorees, including Porsha Green, Fiona Golden, and Dr. Shelly Shell Williams.
Celebrating Leaders Who Move The Culture Forward
The Leadership Awards Ceremony was yet another highlight of the event, as PPIA honored those who are doing the work and making an impact. Honorees included Commissioner Omar Sabir (Legacy Leadership Award), Bishop Louise Williams (Lifetime Achievement Award), Mrs. Pearl Bailey-Anderson (Community Impact Award). and BrownStyle Magazine (Media Excellence Award).
Yes, we were among the honorees! And we felt the love.
We were deeply honored to be recognized among such powerful changemakers, especially Bishop Louise Williams, who is a legend in radio broadcasting. “If you don’t give them their flowers today, when they’re gone, you’ll be sorry,” Turner stated before giving a bouquet of roses to the radio legend. (In May, Williams also received a plaque on Broad St. from the Philadelphia Music Alliance.)
At 92, Williams spoke with grace as she encouraged the next generation to push the culture forward with positivity and intention. “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to be here tonight,” Williams stated during her heartwarming speech. “And to know that somewhere, somehow, I have touched many lives of African American women and men. I think as we go through life, one of the things we must remember is whose lives are we touching? What are we doing that’s going to leave someone behind to say, I want to be able to do that, too? And I say to every one of you, all of us have a destiny. All of us. It’s up to us to achieve our destiny.”
We couldn’t agree more! As a growing family-owned media company, we know the importance of leaving a legacy of work behind that uplifts and inspires. And her profound words were yet another reminder of why the work that we do at BrownStyle is so important. Storytelling is connection, and without connection, we lose the ability to move the culture forward and inspire the next generation.
The Power Of Being In The Room
As the evening transitioned into open networking and museum exploration to see the Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design exhibit, conversations deepened, collaborations sparked, and content was captured that will undoubtedly continue to tell the story of this incredible night.
We are always thankful for spaces that remind us of the importance of legacy and community. Thank you to Anne Turner and the Pennsylvania Professional Image Alliance (PPIA) for this amazing honor. We do not take it lightly.
Below, check out some of the Black businesses you need to know!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
