THE BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The Black Excellence Awards were established in 2001 to honor the outstanding artistic accomplishments of Black artists across genres, including theater, dance, music, film, literature, visual art, and digital media.
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2024 BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARDS NOMINEES
MUSIC NOMINEES
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Outstanding Female Vocalist
Rhonda Brown
Melon (Honeydew) Davenport
Awardee
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Mz. Andrea Stone aka Andrea Tina Turner Stone
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Outstanding Male Vocalist
​Antoine Anthony - Get Down on it Crew
LP Davenport -Love 2 the World Prophets
Awardee
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Michael Ross
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Outstanding Instrumental
Ms. Ernie Shelby as Lady Sax
Awardee
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Theodis Rogers Jr. - Theo Rogers Jazz Trio
Will Howard - Will Groove Instrumental
VISUAL ARTS NOMINEES
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Outstanding Visual Artist
Eli Greene
Exhibit: Adler and Adler
at Southside Community Arts Center
Awardee
Seed Lynn
Exhibit: This Heavenly Body
at Blanc Gallery
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Outstanding Exhibition
Blanc Gallery
Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin
Awardee
​Arts + Public Life​
Of Her Becoming: Elizabeth Catlett's Legacy in Chicago
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THEATER NOMINEES
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Outstanding Theater Production
​A Taste of Soul
Black Ensemble Theater
The Time Machine: A Tribute to the 80's
Black Ensemble Theater
Awardee
Tad in 5th City
MPAACT
Welcome to Matteson
Congo Square Theatre
How I Learned What I Learned
Congo Square Theatre
Turn Off the Lights: The Teddy Pendergrass Story
Theater 47
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Outstanding Director
Daryl Brooks
Taste of Soul
Black Ensemble Theater
Daryl Brooks
Time Machine: A Tribute to the 80's
Black Ensemble Theater
Carla Stillwell
Tad in 5th City
MPAACT
Ken-Matt Martin
How I Learned What I Learned
Congo Square Theatre
Awardee
Ericka Ratcliff
Welcome to Matteson
Congo Square Theatre
John Ruffin
Turn Off the Lights: The Teddy Pendergrass Story Theater 47
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Outstanding Actor
Ricky Harris
The Time Machine: A Tribute to the 80's
Black Ensemble Theater
Awardee
Vincent Jordan
The Salon
Black Ensemble Theater
Reason Dailey Lewis
Tad in 5th City
MPAACT
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Anthony Irons
Welcome to Matteson
Congo Square Theatre
Harry Lennix
How I Learned What I Learned
Congo Square Theatre
KC Lee
Turn Off the Lights: The Teddy Pendergrass Story Theater 47
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Rashun Carter
Judy's Work
Definition Theater
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Outstanding Actress
Qiana McNary
Taste of Soul
Black Ensemble Theater
Cynthia Carter
The Salon
Black Ensemble Theater
Catrina Evans
Tad in 5th City
MPAACT
Awardee
Alexis Roston
Welcome to Matteson
Congo Square Theatre
Miciah Latham
Time Machine: A Tribute to the 80's
Black Ensemble Theater
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Special Recognition in Theater
Alana Arenas
Purpose
Steppenwolf Theatre
E. Faye Butler
Nacirema Society
Goodman Theatre
Lili-Ann Brown
Nacirema Society
Goodman Theatre
Awardee
Anthony Irons
Stokely - The Unfinished Revolution
Court Theatre
A.C. Smith
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Goodman Theatre
Chuck Smith
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Goodman Theatre
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Mildred Marie Langford
Notes from the Field
TimeLine Theatre Company
LITERATURE NOMINEES
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Outstanding Fiction Work
Redemption
Bridget McGill
Hide
Tracy Clark
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Ace Boon Coon
Danny Gardner
Awardee
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Outstanding Non-Fiction Work
Girls, Brother, and Others: Can God Fix my Family
Cheryl Jane Harris-Woods
Movement
Deborah D. Douglas
Awardee
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Outstanding Poetry Work
Taught by Women
Haki Madhubuti
Awardee
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The Chocolate House We Build
Okema Seven Gunn
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DANCE NOMINEES
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Outstanding Dance Production
​Le Femme Dance Festival
Red Clay Dance Company
Artistic Director: Vershawn Sanders Ward
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Black Love Reigns Supreme
Praize Production
Artistic Director: Ennerèssa Davis
Awardee
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Juba Master Tap & Percussion Dance
Chicago Human Rhythm Project
Artistic Director: Jumaane Taylor
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Outstanding Choreographer
Unconditional Conditions
Vershawn Sanders-Ward
Red Clay Dance Company
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Ugly Flavors
Jumaane Taylor
Chicago Human Rhythm Project
Awardee
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For the Good of Them
Ennerèssa Davis
Praize Production
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Ride in the Wind
Erin Barnett
Black Girls Dance
FILM NOMINEES
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Special Recognition in Film
Troy Pryor
XL Film Fest
Awardee