LOS ANGELES — By Wyllisa Bennett (Jacksonville Free Press Contributor) | As Black America gathered in Los Angeles for BET Awards weekend, the Jacksonville Free Press was on the scene capturing the fashion, beauty, and cultural moments that made the celebration one of the year’s most anticipated events.
While music remained the centerpiece of the weekend, fashion and beauty took center stage as Black creatives showcased their influence on culture from Los Angeles to Africa and beyond.
Leading up to the BET Awards, red carpet events, industry gatherings, and exclusive celebrations highlighted a growing commitment to supporting Black designers, African fashion houses, and Black-owned beauty brands. Bold Afrocentric designs, vibrant prints, and natural hairstyles were among the weekend’s most prominent trends.
The event also showcased the growing trend of travelers returning from Africa with custom fashion and beauty experiences rather than traditional souvenirs. Talent manager Zee Griffith wore a contemporary Afrocentric gown by Nigerian designer Alia Rayana Bare, while attendee Maleena Lawrence drew attention with an intricate braided hairstyle inspired by the traditional Tanavoho style of Madagascar.
Streetwear also made a strong statement during the relaunch of Black Beat Magazine, where rapper and entrepreneur Omar Cook showcased designs from his Rich With God Apparel brand, blending faith-based messaging with modern fashion.
On the beauty front, creative executive Thembisa Mshaka and celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks hosted a Hip Hop Beauty Bar at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, spotlighting innovative Black-owned beauty brands and celebrating the ongoing influence of hip-hop culture on beauty trends.
From luxury fashion and streetwear to natural hairstyles and Black-owned beauty brands, BET Weekend 2026 proved that Black creativity continues to shape the future of fashion and beauty on a global scale—and the Jacksonville Free Press was there to witness it all.
Wyllisa Bennett is a Los Angeles-based celebrity publicist, writer and podcaster with more than 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She is the host of the newly-launched podcast, CALL ME WYLLISA , dropping soon on the Intentional Talk Radio Network, where she chats with guests, offering real conversations and unfiltered commentary mixed with personal stories and anecdotes from the world of entertainment, media and culture. Follow Wyllisa Bennett on all major social media platforms for the latest interviews, red carpet coverage and entertainment news.
For more on the BET AWARDS visit: https://www.bet.com/bet-awards
SHOP BLACK BRANDS FOR THE RIGHT ‘FIT:
LaQuan Smith
LaQuanSmith.com
(available in department stores and boutiques nationwide)
https://laquansmith.com/?srsltid=AfmBOort6ztotq-cBnQvPGdtt6qKsVH6Jn0bNCMjxazv4z5rca3KZCd
Sergio Hudson
SergioHudson.com
(available in department stores and boutiques nationwide)
https://sergiohudson.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqem1vCWZx6UcWf3wZIqYxrU1dy2baicUv-GOMQC7PX7-WbHfMt
Nigerian designerAzeezat Abiola Amusat
On Instagram @AbiolaBeautyConcept
https://www.instagram.com/abiolabeautyconcept/?hl=en
Nigerian designer Alia Rayana Bare
@Alia.Bare on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/alia.bare/
Rich With God Apparel
RichWithGodApparel.com
https://www.richwithgodapparel.com/
Angela Dean of DeanZign
https://deanzign.net/pages/designer-bio
FOR GLAM:
Multiple Emmy Award-winning hairstylist Kiyah Wright
MUZE HAIR
https://www.muzehair.com/
Two-time Emmy-nominated celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks
Ashunta Sheriff Beauty
(available at selected Nordstrom stores and Amazon)
https://ashuntabeauty.com/pages/about-us?srsltid=AfmBOoph-oYeOBZB1MtAo7uA7-2AhirbmlnT5fDON3TXxNOaDYLy74j-
FOR HAIR:
And if you’re in Africa — that is, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — and want a new hairdo like Maleena Lawrence (pictured above), visit the popular beauty salon La Coquette du Faso. On Instagram, @coquette_du_faso
https://www.instagram.com/coquette_du_faso/?hl=en