2026 Honorees
Join the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) for a powerful celebration of courage, resilience, and revolutionary impact at the 6th annual James Baldwin Legacy Awards on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. EST. This signature event illuminates the extraordinary contributions of iconic Black Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+/Same-Gender Loving (GBTQ+/SGL) men and masculine elders who have fearlessly blazed trails, shattered barriers, and transformed entire fields while paving the way for future generations.
Experience this transformative tribute live on October 1st at 1 p.m. ET on this webpage, or engage directly with the celebration on Facebook and YouTube, where your live comments may be featured during each honoree’s powerful segment. This is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a living testament to the enduring legacy of those who refused to be silenced and chose to lead with authenticity, brilliance, and unwavering determination.
The honorees this year include (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Theo Hodge
Theo Wallace Hodge Jr., MD is a board-certified Internist and Infectious Disease specialist and the Medical Director of Washington Health Institute in Washington, DC. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Washington Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Georgetown University program, and completed an Infectious Diseases fellowship at Washington Hospital Center/George Washington University.
Vincent Holmes
Vincent Holmes served as the inaugural Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development, culminating a 35‑year career in public policy centered on youth justice. His leadership included stewarding the County’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and coordinating the Gang Violence Reduction strategy, advancing systems that support young people and strengthen communities.
Dr. David Malebranche
David J. Malebranche, MD, MPH, is a physician, researcher, and public health leader with more than two decades of experience spanning HIV clinical care, academic medicine, qualitative research, and health equity advocacy. He currently serves as Executive Director of Global HIV Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences, where he provides strategic medical leadership across treatment and prevention portfolios.
George B. Walker
George Walker is a nationally recognized executive leader known for his pioneering work in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. As a certified executive coach and public speaker, he has dedicated his career to nonprofit service. Recently, George was named Head of Culture and Organizational Development at Sunflower Services, PBC. For nearly seven years, George served as the first Chief Equity Officer and Special Advisor at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).
Emil Wilbekin
Emil Wilbekin is the CEO and Founder of Native Son, a movement, community and platform created to amplify the voice and visibility of Black gay and queer men. He is also a Deacon at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem. Wilbekin is an Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where he teaches journalism, public relations, and magazine feature writing. He contributes to The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, The Cut, Architectural Digest, Time, Essence, Ebony, The Advocate, and Town & Country.