B Free Awards 2017: Celebrating Women’s Voices

By Saïkou Yaya Balde · Monday, May 1, 2017 - 1:30PM

Exactly one month ago today, on Saturday, April 1, there was something special in the air. It was different, something reminiscent of creation and celebration, community and achievement, pride and excitement. What was it? It was the 4th Annual B Free Awards, Brooklyn Free Speech’s celebration of the thousands of hours of programming created by its dedicated producers— and it did not disappoint one bit!

The theme of the 2017 B Free Awards was “Celebrating Women’s Voices” and the evening’s signature colors of pink and gold beautifully complemented the various attires. Red carpet hosts Jessica Mason and Angela-Renee Coakley made sure everyone got their “15 minutes of fame” while guests were enjoying the food delicacies.

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Continue reading the blog below, then view all of the photos from that special night here!
Relive B Free Awards 2017 by watching the awards ceremony here!

B Free Awards Red Carpet Host, Angela-Renee Coakley interviews an attendee about his experience.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

B Free Awards Red Carpet Host, Jessica Mason interviews an attendee on the Brooklyn Free Speech Stage as part of the BRIC's Public Access/Open Networks exhibition.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

The B Free Awards ceremony itself certainly Celebrated Women’s Voices as it was hosted by Serrina Goodman and Daniella Rodriguez and was blessed with performances from an all-female cast of performers including saxophonist Carolyn Hietter, vocalist/musician Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, vocalist Gloria E. Woods, tap dancer Simone Posey, Dr. Ashley Jackson, vocalist/poet Jasmine Wilson, and poets Jenna Carter-Johnson, Sore Agbaje and Mahlaney Wilson.

B Free Awards Hosts, Serrina Goodman and Daniella Rodriguez
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Vocalist Gloria E. Woods performing the Star Spangled Banner.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, singer and composer.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Dr. Ashley Jackson accompanied by Jasmine Wilson, vocalist and poet.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Simone Posey, tap dancer.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Poets Jenna Carter-Johnson, Sore Agbaje and Mahlaney Wilson.Photo: Jenna Salvagin

The list of winners for each category:

Astrudge McLean and Desiree Rucker accepting the Gorge Stoney Award For Social Impact.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Brian Ellis, winner of the George Stoney B Informed Award.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Kiritin Beyer accepting the B Artistic Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Buki Elegbede wins the B Young Award.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

David Francois and Kevin Lawrence are awarded the Most Valuable Producer Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

B Free Awards Winners Mark Szuszkiewicz and Anthony Jones on the Red Carpet.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

ECPAT-USA Members on the Red Carpet with the BRIC Community Vision Award
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Ketriana Yvonne accepting the B Free First Amendment Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Kiritin Beyer accepting the B Healthy Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Mark Szuskiewicz and the *Real Fans Real Talk* team accepting the Best Entertainment Variety Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Okay, so this is just the best picture EVER! This puppet is definitely giving Elmo a run for his money on the cute factor and accepted the Best Entertainment B Hilarious Award on behalf of Brooklyn Free Speech Producer, Nicholas Lemon.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

T. Billi Martin wins the WOW! Factor Award.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Tawana Chatman goes home with the B Brief PSA Promo Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Valarie Carey poses with her sister and her WOW! Factor Award trophy.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

Nana Boateng is awarded the People's Choice Award.
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

Some of our beloved producers were unfortunately not able to attend the ceremony:

Juan Castillo - Spirit & Being Award Winner
Rebecca Israel - B Brief Short Video Award Winner
Florence Mafomemeh - George Stoney B Informed Award Winner

After the ceremony the after party had plenty of good music, treats, raffle prizes and B Free Awards swag. Once again Brooklyn Free Speech stayed true to its tagline/motto “This Is The Place Where Media Dreamers Become Media Makers” and indeed the place was packed with smiles and dreams come true.

Table laid out with goodies/giveaways
Photo: Jenna Salvagin

David Francois, Most Valuable Producer AKA Dj Triple Play.
Photo: Elliot Guilbe

David Francois AKA DJ Triple Play, who also took home the Most Valuable Producer award, gifted the crowd with some heart-felt, timeless and groovy jams.

This beautiful night couldn’t have ended just yet, as anyone would have expected the BRIC and Brooklyn Free Speech staff weren’t done spoiling producers. And what better way to bring everyone together and have the whole space boiling with anticipation and excitement than a raffle?!

Raffle tickets were being filled at the speed of light as people were picturing themselves leaving with the one of the four raffle prizes our partners went out of their way to provide. But we’ll let you judge, look at the smiles on their faces. Don’t they look like happy winners?