Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2010, the TRIUMPH AWARDS have honored those who have made a positive impact beyond their performance on stage, in the arts, in the community, and in their respective professions. First held on November 15, 2010 at Rose Hall in Jazz at Lincoln Center, the inaugural ceremony, hosted by Ed Schultz and Mara Schiavocampo, honored John Legend, who received the Triumph Education Award; Phylicia Rashad; Fela! The Broadway Musical; Cathy Hughes; Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson; the family of the late George Steinbrenner; Julie Menin; and a surprise award to New York Governor David Paterson. The TRIUMPH AWARDS were first televised in 2015 when TV One premiered the 6th annual event on Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 8-10pm ET/PT on TV One. The 2015 TRIUMPH AWARDS were hosted by Tichina Arnold and held three weeks earlier on Saturday, September 12 in Atlanta, GA, which featured an original spoken-word piece from T.I. and musical performances by Tichina Arnold, Tyrese Gibson, Jazmine Sullivan, Estelle, Ledisi, Tasha Cobbs, Chante Moore & Stokley Williams, The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, and the house band directed by Robert Glasper. The 2015 honorees included: Rev. Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery (Chairman's Award for Historic & Transformative Service); John Legend (President's Award for Service and Humanitarian Efforts); Tyrese Gibson (Entertainer of the Year); Wanda Sykes (Activism in the Arts); and Rosalind Hudnell (Corporate Executive of the Year). Plus, this event included appearances by presenters Afemo Omilami, Carl Payne, Danielle Nicolet, Darrin Henson, Donnie Simpson, Nicole Beharie, Soledad O'Brien, Richard Lawson, Patrik-Ian Polk and Terri J. Vaughn. Hip-hop artist Chubb Rock served as announcer during the show.
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TV One premiered the 2016 TRIUMPH AWARDS on Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 7-9pm ET/PT, with Tichina Arnold returning to host for a second consecutive year. The event, which was held two weeks earlier on Sunday, September 18 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA, featured performances by Nick Cannon, Fantasia, Eric Benet, Joe, BJ the Chicago Kid, Juan and Deborah Joy Winans, V. Bozeman, and Jekalyn Carr. Plus, the presenters included NAN Chairman Reverend Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson; Martin Luther King, III, JB Smoove, Dionne Warwick, Marc Lamont Hill, Kandi Burrus, Dondre Whitfield, Angel McCoughtry, Erica Ash and featuring Mothers of the Movement: Sybrina Fulton, Gwen Carr, Leslie McSpadden and Esaw Snipes Garner. This year's honorees are:

Sean "Diddy" Combs: The President's Award for Service and Humanitarian Efforts

Spike Lee: Activism in the Arts Award

Jermaine Dupri: Triumphant Man of the Year Award

Gina Adams: Triumphant Woman of the Year Award Attorney

Benjamin Crump: Social Justice Leadership Award