Doechii, GloRilla, Jill Scott, Chloe + Halle and more in the spotlight at the Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala

“To be a visionary, you not only have to have a vision, but you have to have unwavering faith and belief in that vision to see it through. Don't accept no. Understand that you are not too difficult. Their job is very difficult. God will put you in a position and connect you with people who can do the job.”

So declared newly minted four-time Grammy nominee Doechii as she received the Visionary Award from her mother Celesia Moore at the Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala on Friday night (November 8). Her empowering speech — in which Doechii also shared that she is “recently sober … with a truly renewed spirit” — was just one of many inspiring moments that drew hearty cheers and shouts from the packed ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in third annual Femme It Forward event. gala and fundraiser, presented by Live Nation. Additional sponsors included Spotify.

The evening's honorees also included GloRilla and Jill Scott. GloRilla, who was also announced as a two-time Grammy nominee earlier in the day, was presented with the Big Femme Energy Award by actress LisaRaye McCoy.

“Cry out to God. Shout out to all of you. Call me,” GloRilla said in part. “I always live by the three D's: determination, dedication and diligence. And don't let anyone tell you everything you can't do, because at the end of the day, their sun won't shine.”

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jill Scott, recipient of the Muse Award, was honored in advance by gala host Saweetie — who was honored with the Give Her FlowHERS Award, recognizing an artist who embodies empowerment, resilience and cultural influence — and the singer. Alex Isley.

“I have an office in my house where I write and read. I believe in inspiration,” Scott said. “So there is literally a cacophony of great women, artists and entertainers on my wall. I keep looking at them because sometimes I'm afraid, sometimes I'm paralyzing to the point that I don't think I have enough. So I look at these powerful entertainers and how brave, dedicated and passionate [they are] about what they do. And I think, “I can do it another day, maybe another hour… It's okay to be afraid as long as you're moving forward.”

A special surprise appearance at the top of the night was Snoop Dogg and his wife Shante Broadus. They were presented with the Black Love Award by Femme It Forward President/CEO Heather Lowery. “There's nothing like an award that brings your family, your backbone, to the stage. This here feels better than a Grammy,” noted Snoop, who has been nominated for multiple Grammys but has yet to win.

Additional honorees of the night included Chloe + Halle (My Sister's Keeper), Lady London (Self Love) and artist-songwriter Nija Charles (Pen It Forward). Among the presenters was Grammy Award-winning singer-actress Andra Day. The awards ceremony included segments honoring music and media executives who have served as mentors to young women through Femme It Forward's sister organization Next Gem Femme.

This circle of honorees – paid tribute by Next Gem Femme-led women – featured COLTURE co-founder Jayne Andrew, Vydia/gamma. Lynne M. Scott Vice President Tri-Star CEO Lou Taylor MVD Inc. President/CEO Miatta Johnson, Amazon Music head of hip-hop and R&B Sierra Lever and CAA music agent Cheryl Paglierani. Funds donated to Next Gem Femme by audience members during the evening will go toward improving workplace equity and accelerating career opportunities and trajectories for young women of color.

Explaining the mission behind Give Her FlowHERS in her opening remarks, Lowery – who also founded Next Gem Femme – told the room: “We see you and we honor you. You're the reason we're here tonight.” Citing the message on notebooks found in each place setting (“No rain, no flowers”), she added, “This is also about weathering the storm and planting your flowers. We can't change the past, but we can rewrite the future.”