March 5, 2008 – (Washington, DC)  The 23^rd Annual NABOB (National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters ) awards dinner took place this evening at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Legendary actor Louis Gossett, Jr., who’s acting career spans more than forty years, received this year’s Pioneer in Entertainment  award. 

(Left to right, Idris Elba, Ne-Yo, Kim Coles, Louis Gossett, Jr.)

Mr. Gossett’s career includes roles in films such as An Officer and a Gentleman, and in the 1970s Alex Haley epic, Roots.  He is the first cousin to another famed actor, Robert Gossett.

London-bred actor, Idris Elba, whose roots claim both Ghanian and Sierra Leone ancestry is the famed actor most noted for his work in projects such as The Wire, and (Tyler Perry's) Daddy’s Little Girls.  Elba received the Entertainer of the Year in Film and Television award.

Eartha Kitt, legendary songstress, film star, and three-time Tony nominated actress was awarded NABOB’s Lifetime Achievement award . 

Nancy Wilson, whose career is as eloquent and smooth as the lady herself, was honored with the Pioneer in Music award for her eclectic style of jazz and blues.

Ne-Yo, award winning singer/song-writer received the Entertainer of the Year In Music award.  Ne-Yo has written award winning songs for artists such as Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dione. 

When asked by DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine which he preferred, song-writing vs. performing, Ne-Yo replied that of the two, he preferred performing.  “When I perform for large crowds in countries that don’t even speak English as a first language, yet they know every word to my songs, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that brings.”

The evening was hosted by actress/comedienne, Kim Coles, whose wit and comedic interpretation of the honorees made for a delightfully, fun-filled evening.

This year’s musical guests were the legendary 70s R&B, funk group Kool and the Gang, who performed several of their old-school classics like Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Hollywood Swingin’, Ladies’ Night, and Celebrate, which brought not only the guests of the evening, but the honorees as well, to their feet dancing to the group’s funky tunes that many in the audience grew up listening to.  The group’s website www.koolandthegang.com gives an impressive account of the members’ history, as well as a tribute to deceased band member, Charles Smith. 

NABOB, organized in 1976 to respond to the underrepresentation of African Americans in the communications industry, has grown into an extraordinary organization that brings together and honors the whose-who in radio, music, film, screen, and television.    

It is one of a few African American organizations in the Nation’s Capital that annually pays homage to the successes and accomplishments of African American success stories in these genres. 

African Americans make up only a small percentage of radio and television ownership in the United States.

Says NABOB Executive Director and General Council, Jim Winston, “We are losing our voice in terms of African American radio station ownership due to Congress’ decision to eliminate programs that promote minority ownership.”

As such, “NABOB holds this event, in part, to try to bring attention to that, and to encourage our community, and elected officials, to get involved and to take action to reverse that trend so that more opportunities are created for African Americans to own radio and television stations”, said Winston.

Part of the NABOB organization includes the NABOB Telecommunications Education and Management Foundation (TEMF), which offers scholarships to college students pursuing careers in broadcasting and telecommunications management.

Last year’s NABOB honorees included actress Pam Grier, Jimmy Scott, gospel sensation The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and actor Dennis Haysbert.

Previous awardees include Terrance Howard, Alicia Keyes, Dick Gregory, and Patti LaBelle.  Other NABOB hosts include comedian and talk show host, Steve Harvey.

For more information visit www.NABOB.org.

View event photos .

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Note:  Due to 'illness', neither Ms. Eartha Kitt, nor Ms. Nancy Wilson were present to receive their awards.  Their awards were, instead, accepted by their respective presenters on their behalf.