Black Hollywood brought regal style to the 2026 Ebony Power 100 Gala last night, Nov. 9. Our kings and queens showed up in sparkling crystals, rich jewel tones, and dramatic silhouettes.
The annual gala celebrates our culture’s top voices, iconic leaders and changemakers. Ebony is taking time to highlight those who are transforming their industries while uplifting, inspiring, and opening doors for the next generation. This year’s theme was “The Stories We Shape.”
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The 2026 class includes Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion, Keke Palmer, director Gina Prince-Bythewood and the New York Knicks starting five. Brandy, Byron Allen, Flau’jae Johnson, Keith Lee, Lena Waithe and astronaut Victor Glover received special tributes on stage as members of the Power 100 Court.
Before the honorees took the stage, our favorite stars had their own moment on the carpet. The invite list was full of Black royalty, who did not come to play with their fits.
Ebony Power 100 2026: Red Carpet Looks To Inspire Your Next Gala Fit
Coco Jones sparkled in a silver crystal gown with a black lace bustier. Kandi Burruss chose a sleek black dress by Jagne. Lala Milan wore Valdrin Sahiti and told Fashion Bomb Daily she wanted to look like “Expensive water.” She got her wish in mint feathers and crystal drops.
Green was clearly part of the theme. Lala wore mint, and Marsai Martin wore emerald, while Toya Johnson and Reginae Carter coordinated in olive and chartreuse. Sheer lace, black, and tulle showed up all night, too.
Swipe to see 2026 Ebony Power 100 Gala looks in detail.
Pretty Vee
Pretty Vee hosted Ebony’s red carpet and set the standard of style. Yes, Sis! The night’s host rocked a dark brown latex gown that looked like it was poured on. The dress featured a high collar, front zipper and mermaid flare. Add in her bob and glam makeup, and we are in love.
Coco Jones
Coco Jones sparkled from head to toe in a silver column gown covered in crystal beading. The dress’ black lace bustier and velvet bow added a vintage touch. The newlywed wore her hair in big, matching the old-school glamour vibes of the dress.
Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss kept it sleek in a black Jagne dress with a sheer, ruched bodice. A tube strap wrapped around her hip into a cutout and gave the simple dress an edge. Her blunt bob matched the clean lines.
Lala Milan
Lala Milan told Fashion Bomb Daily she wanted to look like “Expensive water” and her Ebony Power 100 gala fit delivered. Lala looked stunning in an aqua teal Valdrin Sahiti gown covered in crystal teardrops with a sheer cutout waist. She added a mint feather shrug and a flipped bob for drama.
Brandy & Sy’Rai Smith
Power 100 Court honoree Brandy brought her daughter, Sy’Rai Smith, as her date. Brandy went bold with color in a teal satin corset, a magenta satin skirt with a train, a black fur stole and sheer black gloves. She styled her honey blonde hair in long curls. Sy’Rai kept it chic in a black draped dress with a high slit, a black feather coat and a sleek bun.
Flau’jae Johnson
Ebony Power 100 Court honoree Flau’jae Johnson shone in a gold beaded halter gown with a keyhole cutout and draped beading down to the hem. She added a gold clutch, strappy sandals and sleek middle-parted hair. She also brought a dapper little date in a tux and bow tie.
Toya Johnson & Reginae Carter
Mother and daughter Toya Johnson and Reginae Carter coordinated in green. Reginae wore a sheer olive top with a draped satin skirt. Toya chose a chartreuse draped gown with gold bangles and a gold clutch.
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin wore an emerald Lovers and Friends halter gown with ruching at the hip and a thigh-high slit. Gold cuffs, gold platform heels, and braids with loose curls completed the look. It’s giving grown-woman energy and we are gagging.
Janelle James
Janelle James gave us a simple, yet elegant green look. The “Abbott Elementary” star wore an emerald jersey gown with a V-neck, cap sleeves, and ruching down the center that hugged her curves into a mermaid hem. Gold bangles and soft, side-parted waves completed her slay.
Lauren Speed-Hamilton
“Love Is Blind” star Lauren Speed-Hamilton is another star who chose green. She went metallic in an emerald strapless dress with a sculpted neckline, a peplum waist, and a column skirt. Her copper hair popped against the green. She finished with gold heels and a delicate diamond necklace.
Jackie Aina
Jackie Aina served the girls with cultural couture, rocking a stunning piece from Christie Brown, the Ghanaian label. Her silver sequin crop top and asymmetric skirt featured floral cutouts. She added a gold clutch, navy satin platforms, and honey-toned natural curls. Showing off those abs and legs, Jackie ate up this look.
Rachel Lindsay
Rachel Lindsay went classic in a white strapless Sergio Hudson gown from his Fall/Winter 2022 collection. Black velvet panels traced the sweetheart neckline and curved down the body. A curly updo with face-framing tendrils and a beaded black clutch finished the look.
Serena Page
Serena Page wore a white Do Long gown with a sheer collared bodice, a satin tie and crisp shirt cuffs. The satin skirt wrapped into a dramatic mermaid hem with buttoned pocket flaps and a full train. She wore her long waves half braided back.
Maleah Joi Moon
“A Different World” star Maleah Joi Moon wore a copper pleated halter gown with a deep V-neck and a crisscross bodice. A high slit and an open back with ties added to the drama. She wore her hair in a high ponytail with braided sides and long waves. The copper shade looked beautiful on her skin.
Debbie Allen
Power 100 honoree Debbie Allen brought timeless elegance to the carpet. She wore a strapless black sequin gown under a red sequin wrap, with sparkly red heels and a statement silver necklace. The icon returned as executive producer and director of Netflix’s “A Different World” sequel, which premiered in September.
Amanda Booz
Amanda Booz wore a white floral lace gown with a corseted bodice and oversized satin bows at the shoulder and hip. One bow trailed into a long train. Lace gloves and a side-swept updo completed the look.
Chelley Bissainthe
“Love Island USA” star Chelley Bissainthe glowed in a champagne satin DATT gown with spiral ruching down to a full mermaid hem. She wore her copper braids in a tall updo.
Trinity Tatum
Trinity Tatum wore a black strapless corset with lace-up details over a sheer tulle skirt with a high slit. She styled her auburn curls in a high updo and carried a black clutch.
Tierra “Titi” Davis & Kuman “KC” Chandler
Tierra “Titi” Davis wore a strapless gold beaded gown with a high slit and a ruffle at the hip. Kuman “KC” Chandler complemented her in a navy pinstripe double-breasted suit.
Tia Mowry
Burgundy is fall’s it girl shade, and Tia Mowry wore it well in a strapless sequin midi dress. She added a crystal mini bag and sleek straight hair.
Ciara Miller
Ciara Miller also went burgundy, this time in a velvet Maison Margiela gown from the Fall/Winter 2026 collection. The draped silhouette had a deep V-neck and wide sleeves. A side-swept updo and berry lip matched the rich shade.
Monica
Monica kept the burgundy going in a high-neck jersey gown with ruching at the hip. A floor-length fur coat in the same shade took the look up a notch. She finished with long, glossy waves and gold hoops.
Kyla Pratt
Kyla Pratt chose a chocolate brown gown with a deep plunge and a ruched bodice. Her sleek high ponytail showed off the neckline.
LisaRaye McCoy
LisaRaye McCoy sparkled in a long-sleeve silver beaded gown with a sheer V-neck panel. Vintage finger waves gave the look old Hollywood elegance.
Tisha Campbell
Styled by J. Bolin, Tisha Campbell went full drama in a black satin strapless gown with a corset bodice, a ruffled peplum and a high-low skirt. She added leather opera gloves with gold buckles and oversized statement earrings. Her long, voluminous waves matched the drama.
Scott Evans
While most of the men kept it neutral, Scott Evans brought color in Gucci. He paired a rust Gucci monogram blazer with a crisp white shirt and wide-leg black pants. His platinum blonde cut set it all off.
Rick Ross
Rick Ross kept it classic in an all-black suit, dark shades and a diamond chain.
David Vann & Cornell Young IV
David Vann and Cornell Young IV made the girls swoon on the Ebony Power 100 carpet. The twin brothers rocked their own take on modern menswear, wearing relaxed suits in complementary yet fall-appropriate colors. David wore a white brocade jacket with a matching cravat and wide-leg black pants, while Cornell chose a brown double-breasted blazer with cream wide-leg pants and metal-tipped boots.
