Gregory Douglas Presents LGBT Music Festival. Fabulous Memorial Day Weekend destination event and Vanguard Award ceremony presented on All White Wear Night – perfect for the oceanside setting.

Arrival  – hotel lobby.

Morning arrival

..and the eagle continues to soar.. love this capture.

In the distance..a rainbow you just have to pay attention and look – just like life!

Enjoying an oceanside mimosa – just taking it all in.

A positive affirmation  – getting morning coffee.

Jody Watley – Saying hello to contemporary R&B artist Monifah.

Jody Watley with renowned choreographer (En Vogue, Beyonce, and more) Frank Gatson – we had such a great time talking and hanging out oceanside.

Met so many wonderful people – and received nothing but love.

Jody Watley with – Honoree Designer and former stylist Ty Hunter, author and host Patrick L. Riley and Honoree Shanice Wilson ready for evening of fashion.

Ty Hunter and Jody Watley, LGBT Music, Culture & Arts Festival 2019. Cancun, Mexico.

Fashion and Music Night, snippets of  Frank Gatson’s June’s Diary and Frenchie Davis.

Vanguard Awards Night.

Frank Gatson, Keke Palmer Gregory Douglas Presents, Frenchie Davis, Shanice Wilson, TS Madison, Jody Watley, Ty Hunter, Host and Author Patrick Riley

Two authentic spirited and talented Chicagoans – Honorees Jody Watley and KeKe Palmer after Vanguard Awards.

Host and Los Angeles Event Producer Ivan Daniel, Jody Watley and Frank Gatson

Honorees Frank Gatson and Jody Watley

From Monifah who presented my Vanguard Woman of Excellence Award in her Instagram post:  “With the iconic & legendary @jodywatley  What an honor to present her with the 2019 Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award this year! We MUST give OURS their flowers while they can enjoy them in this life!! Musically, she is an integral part of most of my generation’s childhood and teen years! From her intro on the music scene as  one-third of the legendary R&B group Shalamar to becoming a Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum selling, cultural style icon solo artist who used her massive platform to shine light on the issues of a marginalized and underrepresented community. She was an advocate for and an ally of the LGBT community, human rights, AIDS awareness when it wasn’t easy or fashionable to do so. Thank you @jodywatley for your indelible contribution to music, fashion & advocacy. We love & honor you!! #lgbtmusicfest #vanguardawards #jodywatley #monifah #cancunmexico ”

I lost my other earring.. but didn’t notice it being in the moment -enjoying to evening breeze.

Living my life like it’s golden – and always in gratitude!

Jody Watley “Woman of Excellence” – Honoree Vanguard Award – LGBT Music Festival Cancun 2019

Video of full speech to come for my YouTube Channel Friday post  – it was truly a night to remember full of real love!

Thanks again to Gregory Douglas and the LGBT Film Festival for the honor, author host Patrick L. Riley, Monifah who presented the award as well and congratulations to all of honorees; as well to the LGBT community who have always been my strongest supporters. As I wrote in the 90’s in my song “Affection” – “..it don’t matter if you’re young or old, it don’t matter if you’re straight or gay – everybody needs to feel loved.”

“…always find and live in your best light your inner Wattage..and encourage others to do so as well..” – Jody Watley

The fight for equality will continue amidst a climate of division and hate, and hate crimes on the LGBT community and often overlooked black LGBT community.