Over the weekend of August 14 to 16, comedian and radio personality Steve Harvey and Nu-Opp Incorporated descended on Las Vegas for the seventh annual Hoodie Awards—which recognize local businesses, schools, and organizations in U.S. neighborhoods for their community leadership and contributions—presented by Ford at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tickets for the event were available to the public for purchase—and they sold out.
This year marked the fifth year the Hoodies were presented in Las Vegas, with executive production by Steve Harvey and Rushion McDonald; they were previously held at the MGM Grand, the Orleans, and the Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood). “We’ve continued to come to Las Vegas because this event brings together 96 nominees and their guests from across the country. It’s a great place for everyone to meet and, of course, everyone loves coming here,” said talent and media producer Elvira Guzman of Elvie G PR, who has worked with Steve Harvey and Nu-Opp Productions for more than nine years, and has been involved in all seven Hoodie Awards events.
Festivities kicked off with a "Freedom Friday" party honoring the nominees and celebrity presenters who flew in for the occasion. Held in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center’s Bayside B ballroom, the event specified all-white attire and captured the entertainment-driven spirit of the weekend. Open to all 8,000 ticket-holders for Saturday’s award ceremony, the party drew a packed house that grooved to R&B from Charlie Wilson and hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh. At midnight, comedians Tommy Davidson and Nephew Tommy performed at a "Midnight Comedy Jam" in a neighboring ballroom.
On Saturday morning, organizers put together several reservations-only seminars for award ceremony ticket holders. The seminars were held in convention center ballrooms and most—including a cooking seminar by sponsor Hillshire Farm and discussion by Steve Harvey of his new book—were booked solid well in advance.
On Saturday night, a blue carpet and traditional step-and-repeat were set up outside the Mandalay Bay Events Center. All nominees and celebrity presenters—including Las Vegas headliner George Wallace and surprise presenter, comedian and film star Tyler Perry—walked the blue arrivals line before proceeding into the award ceremony.
Once inside, nominees and their guests joined celebrities in the front section. An ensemble from Mandalay Bay’s ongoing production of The Lion King opened the program with a number from the show. The stage was set up in what has become the Hoodie Awards’ traditional dramatic blue and violet uplighting and a simple arrangement of dual podiums for the presenters and winners. This year, a Ford Taurus was displayed on the stage for the event, and was awarded to Dr. Lance Watson of Richmond, Virginia, who received the Hoodie for Best Community Leader.
Following Harvey’s remarks, awards presentations alternated with musical interludes for the remainder of the ceremony. R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan and soul singer Musiq Soulchild performed for the audience during the show, and Teena Marie closed out the evening with a 15-minute set. Following the ceremony, all event attendees were invited to an after-party held in the convention center’s Islander Ballroom, where the entertainment continued into the night with performances by K-Jon and Ginuwine.
“We’re very happy with how everything went,” said Guzman. “All of the events went smoothly and everyone had a great time.”
