Icon Talks with Jesse Jackson, Cathy Hughes and Omari Hardwick

The sold-out Icon Talks empowerment tour hit Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, D.C., on June 30, with an intimate performance featuring actor, artist and poet Omari Hardwick.

Best known for his current role as James “Ghost” St. Patrick on the critically acclaimed Starz network hit show, Power, Hardwick wooed audiences by sharing his artistic love in an emotional performance of his original sonnets in spoken word poetry, accompanied by live instruments and performers.

The red carpet event honored media mogul Cathy Hughes, founder and chairwoman of Radio One Inc., and Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures and founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The event included a performance by singer, songwriter and harpist Tulani, and special VIP guests included celebrity Chef Huda, The New York Times best-selling author Zane, Grammy-nominated Carolyn Malachi, White House officials and community leaders. The event sponsors who have shown a commitment to service and community empowerment included Porsche, 100 Black Men of Washington, D.C., Walmart and Effen Vodka.

Icon Talks was founded with the desire to create a platform to “entertain, engage and inspire” audiences through a personal conversation and performance. Its co-founder, John Burns, a D.C. attorney, social philanthropist and new age millennial voice, engaged with Hardwick to deliver a powerful message of “embracing the power in you.” Hardwick gave audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight and intimate details of his voyage as Burns guided the conversation on stage.