Following his arrest by federal agents after he covered an anti-ICE protest inside a Minnesota church in January, former CNN anchor Don Lemon will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Truth Awards.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the 12th annual Truth Awards is scheduled to take place at the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 21. Better Brothers Los Angeles and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s the DIVA Foundation have partnered to present the event. The ceremony is also powered by ViiV Healthcare.
The Truth Awards are “dedicated to honoring Black LGBTQ+ trailblazers and allies whose impact spans popular culture, media, politics and the arts.”
Lemon, 59, is set to be honored for his “unwavering dedication to journalism that informs, challenges and inspires change.”
Besides Lemon, recent Grammy winner, Durand Bernarr, will also be honored with the music and arts award for “redefining musical expression through bold creativity and vocal excellence.”
Other honorees include reality TV star, Carlos King, and renowned actress, Jenifer Lewis. King will be honored with the media and arts award for “groundbreaking contributions to storytelling and representation,” while Lewis will receive the ally award for “outspoken advocacy, commitment to inclusivity and fearless pursuit of equity and acceptance.”
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“This occasion is more than recognition, it’s a powerful testament to resilience,” Better Brothers Los Angeles co-founder Scott Hamilton said. “Honoring those who have shaped our world through their truth emphasizes a compelling narrative for future generations.”
Ralph also emphasized that “celebrating these pioneers is not just an acknowledgment, it’s a call to action.” “Their stories energize us to break through complacency, demonstrating that true change demands fearless vision and unwavering dedication,” she added.
Besides awarding honorees at the ceremony, students will also receive $3,000- $5,000 in scholarships to assist them to enroll in higher education courses, per The Hollywood Reporter.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Lemon and a group of anti-ICE protesters entered the Cities Church in Minnesota on Sunday, January 18, to register their displeasure with a pastor and an ICE agent identified as David Easterwood. A service was taking place inside the church when the demonstrators paused it. Lemon, who is now an independent journalist, shared footage of the protest and confrontation.
The DOJ in the indictment claimed that Lemon and the protest organizers made arrangements before they made their way to the church. But Lemon has claimed that he was doing his job as a journalist when he covered the protest inside the church.
Lemon was ultimately arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 29. He has since been charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violation of the FACE Act.
