Sean Bankhead, Paul Tazewell, Colman Domingo
The 2025 Native Son Awards has unveiled its distinguished honorees, celebrating the remarkable achievements and advocacy of Black gay and queer men. This year, the event shines a spotlight on actor Colman Domingo, renowned costume designer Paul Tazewell, acclaimed for his Oscar-winning work on Wicked, and innovative choreographer Sean Bankhead. Also recognized are multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams, Dr. David J. Johns, the influential leader of the National Black Justice Coalition, and Phill Wilson, the visionary founder of the Black AIDS Institute.
Paul Tazewell shared his deep gratitude, stating, “I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition at the Native Son Awards. 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.”
The event promises captivating performances from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr and The Voice alum Deon Jones, with significant social moments curated by past honorees Rashad Robinson, Alphonso David, and Keith Boykin. These moments will highlight Black and queer history, emphasizing the ongoing fight for visibility and justice.
Founded by media expert and academic Emil Wilbekin, the Native Son Awards originated as part of the larger Native Son movement, designed to provide a platform for the Black gay community to unite and celebrate shared triumphs. Since its founding in 2016, the awards have also served as a key fundraising event, supporting the year-round initiatives of Native Son.
Reflecting on the movement’s decade-long impact, Wilbekin remarked, “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. 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.”
This year’s gala, coinciding with Pride Month celebrations, will be held on June 11 at the iconic IAC Building in New York City. Don Lemon of CNN will return as the host for the third consecutive year. Native Son’s ongoing commitment to elevate and preserve the voices of Black gay and queer individuals stands as a testament to their enduring legacy in the face of adversity.
