Inside Femme It Forward’s Inaugural ‘Give Her FlowHERS’ Gala
Femme It Forward hosted its inaugural Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala—presented by Cadillac—on Friday (Nov. 11). The prestigious affair, held at The Beverly Hilton, fell on 11-11-22 as a “symbol of manifestation and synchronicity,” explained Heather Lowery—President and CEO of Femme It Forward. The event honored notable women in music and entertainment who’ve all significantly impacted their fields and communities.
Lowery shared with VIBE that the gala was months in the making and admittedly, she was nervous about stepping out from behind the scenes. The creative visionary expressed, “I always say that I’m a vessel for God’s work and it feels amazing to be able to show other women that they’re seen, and they’re valued and appreciated.”
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Those honored at the inaugural soireé were Latto (The Big Femme Energy Award), Tabitha Brown (The Self-Love Award), Jozzy (The Pen It Forward Award), Muni Long (The Bloom Award), Lashon Jones, (Moms I’d Like to Follow [M.I.L.F.] Award), Victoria Monet (The Visionary Award), Kehlani (The Alchemist Award), Akira Akbar and Coco Jones, (My Sister’s Keeper Award), alongside Ciara and Russell Wilson (The Black Love Award).
Femme It Forward also recognized the mentors of its Next Gem Femme program including Interscope’s Baroline Diaz, Capitol’s Dimplez Ijeoma, MBK Entertainment’s Jeanine McLean-Williams, Google’s Valeisha Butterfield Jones, and LVRN’s Amber Grimes, who had one of the most dynamic speeches of the night.
During her moving acceptance speech, Grimes celebrated those who preceded her and displayed the importance of showing up authentically. “You do not have to be a b***h to be a boss woman,” the LVRN EVP and GM declared before applause erupted from the room.
Muni Long teased new music and new visions during her speech while Victoria Monét spoke on how the women around her—including her manager, Rachelle Jean-Louis, and daughter, Hazel—challenged, empowered, and uplifted her to be the front-facing visionary we admire.
Latto urged the importance of sticking together and celebrating one another during today’s attack on women’s rights before giving her mother Misti, sister Brooke, and the women on her team their flowers, in the vein of Whitney Houston’s moment at the 2001 BET Awards.
The evening was filled with laughter, good food, dancing, and gifts from sponsors like Topicals, NARS, and BROWN GIRL Jane.
Proceeds from the Give Her FlowHERS Gala benefit Femme It Forward’s mentorship program Next Gem Femme. Check out the full photo recap below.
