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Don Lemon will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Truth Awards, even as legal troubles stemming from his recent reporting remain unresolved. The ceremony, set for March 21 in Beverly Hills, places the former anchor at the center of a fraught moment where journalism, protest and faith intersect.
The Truth Awards, produced by Better Brothers Los Angeles in partnership with the DIVA Foundation and sponsored by ViiV Healthcare, recognize leaders in the Black LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Organizers say the event will spotlight creative and civic contributions that they view as shaping public culture and policy.
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- What: 12th annual Truth Awards; lifetime achievement to be presented to Don Lemon
- When: Awards ceremony on March 21; Passing the Torch Awards on March 20; community brunch “Rooted in Grace” on March 22
- Where: Beverly Hills Hotel
- Partners: Better Brothers Los Angeles, the DIVA Foundation; presenting sponsor ViiV Healthcare
- Community support: Scholarships of $3,000–$5,000 to be awarded to students
Alongside Lemon, the program will honor Grammy winner Durand Bernarr for his contributions to music, producer and reality-TV figure Carlos King for media and storytelling, and actress Jenifer Lewis with an ally award for her public advocacy. Organizers say additional performers, presenters and a host will be revealed closer to the event.
Scott Hamilton, co-founder of Better Brothers Los Angeles, described the ceremony as more than a moment of recognition: he framed it as an opportunity to highlight role models whose work carries lasting influence. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, whose DIVA Foundation co-presents the awards, emphasized the organizers’ aim to spur action and visibility for marginalized communities rather than simply hand out honors.
The three-day schedule surrounding the main event is designed to combine celebration with community programming. A scholarship initiative will distribute financial awards to support higher education, and the weekend will include a day focused on faith and the Black LGBTQ+ community’s relationship to HIV care and family life.
Why this matters now
Giving Lemon a lifetime honor comes as his recent arrest has reignited debates about press freedom, protest tactics and the boundaries of religious services. The juxtaposition of legal scrutiny and a major public accolade raises questions about how institutions balance recognition of public figures with ongoing controversies.
The award ceremony is also timely because it brings attention — and funding opportunities — to a community that organizers say continues to face stigma and structural barriers. For attendees and those following the story, the event will be a signal of who is being elevated in the current cultural moment.
Background on the arrest
Authorities arrested Lemon in connection with his coverage of an anti-ICE demonstration inside a Minnesota church on Jan. 18. Video he posted showed him interviewing demonstrators who interrupted a service to chant against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and call for justice in the case of Renee Good, who was reportedly killed by an ICE agent. Some church staff were said to have ties to a local ICE office.
Federal prosecutors allege Lemon’s actions crossed from protected reporting into conduct that impeded the congregation’s religious practice. At a Jan. 30 hearing in Los Angeles, a judge released him on a no-money bond. His lawyer has indicated he will enter a not-guilty plea.
The case has drawn attention for its legal implications: press advocates argue that newsgathering at protests is protected by the First Amendment, while prosecutors point to claims of interference with worship. How the courts resolve those competing claims could influence future reporting on demonstrations held inside places of worship.
Organizers of the Truth Awards stress the event’s broader goals: to honor achievement, provide educational support and create spaces for difficult conversations. ViiV Healthcare, the presenting sponsor, framed its involvement as backing change-makers working on health and social equity.
As the March dates approach, the ceremony will likely attract renewed scrutiny because of Lemon’s dual status as both an honoree and a defendant. Observers will be watching not only who appears on stage, but how the program addresses the overlapping issues of journalism, protest and religious freedom.
