ACE Honors Awards 2026: Bill Duke Shines in a Charleys Night of Prestige
A star-studded celebration at the Southwest Arts Center recognizing innovation, artistry, and industry leadership The ACE Honors Foundation staged a show-stopping evening at the Southwest Arts Center, turning the venue into a benchmark for prestige in film, television, and digital content creation. The media room overflowed with luminaries, influencers, and rising talents, all gathered to […] The post ACE Honors Awards 2026: Bill Duke Shines in a Charleys Night of Prestige first appeared on Upscale Magazine.
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A star-studded celebration at the Southwest Arts Center recognizing innovation, artistry, and industry leadership
The ACE Honors Foundation staged a show-stopping evening at the Southwest Arts Center, turning the venue into a benchmark for prestige in film, television, and digital content creation. The media room overflowed with luminaries, influencers, and rising talents, all gathered to honor the year’s most impactful stories and performances. The standout moment came with Bill Duke receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to a career defined by mentorship, versatility, and enduring impact on the arts.
Key facts
Location: Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Event: ACE Honors Awards – “The Charleys,” honoring innovation and ingenuity across TV, film, and content creation
Notable moment: Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Bill Duke
Vibe: Star-studded, media-room packed, haute-couture energy
Our Mission
The ACE Honors Foundation advances education, workforce development, and economic opportunity within the arts, television, and film industries. Our initiatives include:
Scholarships and financial assistance for arts students
Professional training for aspiring actors, actresses, and creatives
Grants to support scholarships and attendance at acting classes and workshops
Building local talent pipelines as Georgia’s film and TV industry expands and contributes to the state’s economy
Winners and highlights
Best Actor in a TV Series: Sean Ringgold (The Family Business)
Best Actress: Terri J. Vaughn
Best Supporting Actor: David Banner
Best TV Series: The Family Business (BET+)
Best Director: Trey Haley (The Family Business)
Best in Casting: Lynette J. Blackwell (Vanished on Tubi)
Best Picture: Ruth & Boaz (Tyler Perry)
Best Screenwriter: Sean Larkins
Best Independent Male Filmmaker: Will Thompson
Best Independent Female Filmmaker: Kietta Mayweather Bracy
Best Podcast: Mase
Best Stand-Up Comedy (Male): Rodney Perry
Best Stand-Up Comedy (Female): Sweet Baby Kita
Influencer of the Year: Nick Kosir
Vanguard Award: Sheila Ducksworth (President of CBS Studios/NAACP Ventures)
Breakout Actor of the Year: Rod Minger
Notable Moments
The media room overflowed with photographers and interviewers, capturing candid reflections on the year’s milestones.
Red-carpet moments showcased bold fashion, signaling a year of expansive storytelling and design.
The evening reinforced ACE Honors’ mission to foster education, mentorship, and opportunities for Georgia’s expanding talent pool, while underscoring the industry’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
ACE Honors Foundation in Action
A pillar of the evening was the foundation’s ongoing work to advance arts education, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Through scholarships, training programs, and targeted funding, ACE Honors continues to cultivate local talent pipelines across Georgia’s thriving film and television landscape.
Visuals and Credits
By Carl Gilliard
Photo caption suggestions: Clear attribution lines for each image; ensure alt text conveys the moment (e.g., “Bill Duke accepts ACE Honors Lifetime Achievement Award at Southwest Arts Center, 2026”).
Links
Internal link (anchor text: ACE Honors Awards overview)
URL: https://yourdomain.com/ace-honors-awards-overview
External link (anchor text: Official ACE Honors program)
URL: https://acehonors.org/awards-program
Open in a new tab with rel=”noopener noreferrer”
What It Means for the Industry
ACE Honors 2026 emphasized a broader industry trend: recognizing not only on-screen excellence but also the leadership that expands educational access and nurtures new talent. Bill Duke’s lifetime achievement serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of mentorship and advocacy, while the breadth of winners indicates a continuing commitment to diverse storytelling and multi-platform creativity.
The post ACE Honors Awards 2026: Bill Duke Shines in a Charleys Night of Prestige first appeared on Upscale Magazine.
