Celebrating community

Celebrating community
Phil McCarten

It’s a community award show!

The red carpet will roll out for the fifth annual Image Entertainment Distinction (IED) awards show is slated for Sept. 30. This year the ceremony will be held at Kings Theatre in East Flatbush. The show is aimed at celebrating notable members within and outside of the Caribbean community and the work they have done, from leaders to entertainers, said its founder and CEO.

“The show is geared at recognizing people who give back to the community and their humanitarianism,” said Diva Madonna.

Every year the Image Entertainment Distinction awards have been held in private settings exclusive to certain guests. But this time around, the event is open to everyone who wants to be a part of the celebration, according to Madonna.

“This show is about us coming out because people love it,” she said. “I’m working on branding the name to eventually bring this to a national level then have platform, this start something, we trying to reach across the aisle.”

This year’s honorees include Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty Sparrow, Maxi Priest, Mel’isa Morgan Roy Walters, Roland Hyde, Dr. Dexter McKenzie, Glenn A. Gaber, New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will also be present, and will surprise one of the awardees with a proclamation.

She noted the lack of award shows for the Caribbean community.

“We don’t have Caribbean award shows — we have shows for events but not a combination of entertainers and community leaders and it’s time for us to bring something like this together,” she said. “It’s going to be a fun night.”

Image Entertainment Distinction awards show at Kings Theatre [1027 Flatbush Ave. between Tilden Avenue and Beverly Road.] Sept. 30 at 8 pm. Red carpet at 7 pm.

Reach reporter Alexandra Simon at (718) 260–8310 or e-mail her at asimon@cnglocal.com.