March 19, 2009 - The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) held its 25^TH Annual Communications Awards ceremony, ushering in a new crop of awardees.

This year’s honorees included actress Cicely Tyson – Lifetime Achievement Award; LaBelle (featuring Patti LaBelle) – Pioneer In Music Award; The Honorable Eric Holder (far left) - Mickey Leland Public Service Award;  Andrae Crouch – Pioneer In Gospel Music Awards; Iceman, Jerry Butler – Pioneer In Music Award; Mo’Nique (who recently lost her grandmother and could not attend this year’s awards event) – Entertainer of the Year in Comedy Award; Chaka Khan, Pioneer In Music Award; and Keyshia Cole – Entertainer of the Year in Music Award.

Cole, who burst on the music scene less than five short years ago, has had various degrees of success. Cole's reality TV show on BET titled 'The Way It Is' (now in its third season) chronicles her family as they deal with family and parenting issues, drug abuse, and relationships. Her CD release of the same name, went Platinum in 2004, and her most recent musical project, A Different Me, was released late last year.  While the singer has had four Grammy nods, the singer credits her NABOB award as being her first.   “This is my first award I’ve ever received", said Cole. 

With the style and talent of Keyshia Cole, one can bet it won’t be her last.

US Attorney General, Eric Holder (above, left) is the 82nd and first African-American to hold the esteemed position.  Holder previously served as a DC Superior Court judge United States Attorney, and Deputy Attorney General of the United States, and served as senior legal advisor during president Obama's campaign.

This year's NABOB event was hosted by funny man, actor, author, and morning radio host, Steve Harvey. 

The evening’s live musical performance was none other than the re-united 1970's female singing group, LaBelle, featuring three of its original members, Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, and Ms. Patti LaBelle.

“When I sing, I sing out my depression. I sing out my stress.  I sing for people.  Hopefully I can touch somebody, maybe one person in the audience and make them feel that there is a better tomorrow, (or even a better tonight.)”

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The re-united group, LaBelle, (right) received the Pioneer In Music Award. Left to right: Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle, and Sarah Dash.

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In a pre-performance interview, Ms. LaBelle shared her thoughts with DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine on the group reuniting.  (Read it here).

NABOB has two principal objectives: 1) to increase the number of African-American owners of telecommunications facilities, and 2) to improve the business climate in which we operate.

The overall objective is to maximize the potential for financial success through providing advocacy resources and information in critical business areas including, advertising sales, station acquisition, financing, and federal broadcast regulation.

In 1976, there were only 30 African-American owned broadcast facilities in the United States. Today, there are over 220.

For a list of African-American owned broadcast stations and networks, click here.

More photos.