Femme It Forward lit up The Beverly Hilton last weekend, bringing together some of the most defining women in music and entertainment for a night that felt equal parts celebration and sisterhood. The annual Give Her FlowHERS gala honored a powerhouse lineup — Ciara, Jhené Aiko, Mariah The Scientist, Kehlani, Normani, Ravyn Lenae, Olandria Carthen and more — while spotlighting the creativity, resilience, and cultural impact of women who continue to push the industry forward. Performances from Jordan Ward, FLO, and Goapele kept the room buzzing, but the heart of the night came from the stories shared on stage: Teyana Taylor choking up as she presented her mother the Queens Raising Queens Award, Ciara receiving The Muse Award from Victoria Monét, and Jhené Aiko standing alongside the women who helped her through the darkest moments of her year.
The gala also highlighted Femme It Forward’s commitment to mentorship through its Next Gem Femme program, honoring the executives who have helped open doors for women of color rising in the industry. Emotional moments layered the night — from Olandria Carthen dedicating her Self-Love Award to women questioning their worth, to Mariah The Scientist being celebrated by her sister, to Kehlani accepting The Alchemist Award with equal parts honesty and humor. Ravyn Lenae, Normani, Billboard’s Gail Mitchell, and industry titan Sylvia Rhone were also recognized for their leadership and legacy, with Rhone reminding the room that “the ROI of Black women is infinite.”
Founder and CEO Heather Lowery closed the evening with a message that echoed through the ballroom: every woman’s story matters, every voice holds power, and every dream blooms on its own time.
Photos used by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Femme It Forward
© 2025, alanna. All rights reserved.
