Venus DeMilo Thomas, Entertainment Reporter
The Third Annual Pre-Grammys Global Affair Benefit Gala Honors Changemakers and Champions Criminal Justice Reform
Venus DeMilo Thomas steps on the red carpet ...
During Grammy Awards weekend, Los Angeles becomes a magnet for the world’s most influential voices in music, media, and culture. Amid the glitter and glamour, one event stood out for its impact-driven purpose: the Third Annual Global Affair Benefit Gala, presented by Godfather Ent. and All We Do Is Work.
An exclusive black-tie evening, the Global Affair brought together leaders from entertainment, business, philanthropy, and global advocacy to celebrate purpose and measurable change. Beyond its high-profile guest list, the gala raised crucial funds for criminal justice reform—supporting organizations dedicated to preventative education, workforce development, and policy advancement.
“At the intersection of culture, commerce, and social good, the Global Affair proves that influence carries real responsibility,” noted attendees as the evening unfolded with awards, moving speeches, and soulful performances honoring global changemakers.
This year’s honorees and distinguished guests represented a dynamic spectrum of creativity and activism. Among those recognized were Howard Hewitt, Grammy-winning R&B artist of the legendary group Shalamar; Saheed Akunnu, organizer of the Global Affair Benefit Gala; and Fatell (@fatellofficial, @frenzeebroadcasting, @afterpartyradioshow, @nolimitlatin, @fatellmusic)—a multi-hyphenate radio host, actor, recording artist, and entrepreneur.
Other notable attendees included Adrian Dev, known for Hacks and Obi-Wan Kenobi; fine artist Halim A. Flowers (@halimflowers); host and media creator Kendra G (https://www.instagram.com/kendragmedia), founder of “KENDRA G SINGLES!” and a dating app; and R&B talent Manny Wellz, celebrated for his soulful tracks “Looking For God” and “Magic (Take It Easy)”.
Honorees also included Parreace (@iamparreace), Emmy Award-winning recording artist of As Yet; fashion designer Batani Khalfani (@batanikhalfani, https://batanikhalfani.com/); and R&B singer Henri B. Styles (@henribstyles). Civil rights attorney and author Jarrett Adams (@JarettAdamslaw), whose book Redeeming Justice chronicles his own exoneration journey, brought a powerful voice to the evening’s conversation about reform.
The Global Advocate Award went to Imene Meziane, Esq., recognized for her impact in international policy and advocacy. Queen Elevation (@yungpowerfoundation) was also in attendance, alongside Natalia Sokolova (@nataliasokolova.official), Chief Technology Officer of Jobseek.ai; and Presley Aronson (@presleyaronsonofficial), an artist and producer dedicated to youth empowerment.
Music and artistry flowed throughout the evening.
Guest appearances include appearances from Yung Muusik (@therealyungmuusik), R&B singer-
songwriter from Compton; director Rohit Matra;
global real estate leaders Kelly Robinson and Victoria Massengale (@vmassengale); and entrepreneur Josh Meyers (@joshfrombliss, bliss lifestyle, Oben HiFi).
Visionary designer Karim Rashid and community leaders Dr. Fluke Fluker and Darnique Fluker (The Village Nation) shared their work advancing education and empowerment through culturally responsive teaching.
The program also highlighted William Shehadeh, VFX artist (@supergirl), and Michael Santos, founder of Prison Professors (@prisonprofessors), who empowers justice-involved individuals to rebuild and thrive through education and mentorship.
Rounding out the roster was Kevin Welsh, Agentic AI growth leader, exploring how synthetic intelligence can serve transparent, ethical, and human-aligned societal goals.
As music and philanthropy merged into one unforgettable night, the Global Affair reaffirmed its mission: to ensure that the artistry celebrated during Grammy weekend also fuels meaningful global progress.
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