Posted by | Ray Cornelius
EMMY-winning television host and radio star Steve Harvey recently hosted the 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Awards show in Las Vegas, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The show was produced, for the 14th year in a row, by EMMY-winning television/film/radio producer Rushion McDonald and featured side-splitting laughs, inspiring speeches of celebration, singing, an impromptu dance party, and more. This year’s event featured a bevy of musical superstars including Maxwell, The O’Jays, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, which had the sold-out crowd cheering and dancing.
Maxwell
Gathering together in celebration of a positive community purpose, the 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Awards show included appearances from Toni Braxton, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sheryl Underwood, Terrence J, Bern Nadette Stanis, Lavell Crawford, Yolanda Adams, Lalah Hathaway, Earthquake, Sommore, Benjamin Crump, Ed Gordon, Shirley Strawberry, Nephew Tommy, Carla Ferrell, Junior and State Farm’s Duane Farrington. Driven by public nominations, with repeat and first-time winners unveiled, the show also included special painting presentations and check presentations from Cracker Barrel to the Best School Teacher winner and State Farm to the Good Neighbor Award winner in support of their community efforts.
Terrence J leading an impromptu Omega Psi Phi step
The 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Awards Weekend events also included the three-day State Farm Color Full Lives Art Gallery experience, the State Farm Sing Your Way Contest and Freedom Friday Concert with headlining performances from Charlie Wilson and Keith Sweat, the Freedom Friday Party featuring Doug E. Fresh, the Neighborhood Awards VIP After-Party and Jill Scott headlining the Neighborhood Awards Beach Party.
State Farm, Toni Braxton and more giving Nehemiah Davis a check
Harvey and McDonald created the one-of-a-kind State Farm Neighborhood Awards (formerly the Hoodie Awards) to recognize and celebrate men and women from all over the United States who uplift their neighborhoods through their contributions and excellence as entrepreneurs, religious and community leaders, educators and more. The 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Awards Weekend included support by State Farm, Tracfone, Masterbuilt, Cracker Barrel, McDonald’s, Crème of Nature, DHerbs and Wells Fargo.
Check out more pics below:
Erykah Badu
The man of the hour—Steve Harvey
Keith Sweat
Wendy Raquel Robinson
Charlie Wilson performing
Jill Scott
Photo Credits: Getty Images for Nu-Opp, Inc.