The Houston Museum of African American Culture presents the legendary Champagne & Ribs event on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The charity fundraiser will be hosted by nine-time Grammy Award-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox. Veteran newsmen from FOX 26, Isiah Carey and Jonathan Martin, will be honored.

The chic, cutting-edge has a relaxed atmosphere, a positive art environment, and a Texas flare. In keeping with its tradition, guests will enjoy amazing music, delicious BBQ, and bubbly champagne on the museum grounds. And yes, there will be something for vegans too!

 In past years, the extraordinary event regularly brought out celebrities, including Solange and Tina Knowles, Dikembe Mutombo, T.J. Ford, and Elliott Perry, designer Chloe Dao, afronaut Bobby Stacher, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, and MacArthur Genius Award winner Rick Lowe. Last year, Houston Ballet's Lauren Anderson hosted the affair. Who knows who will show up this year?

Founder and CEO John Guess Jr. has indicated that funds raised will be used to support the museum’s mission to collect, conserve, explore, interpret, and exhibit the material and intellectual culture of Africans and African Americans in Houston, the state of Texas, the southwest, and the African Diaspora for current and future generations.

Art supporters Isiah Carey and Johnathan Martin will be honored for their consistency in reporting and promoting African American art and culture.

Isiah Carey started as a general assignment reporter for FOX 26 News but has since embraced his role as the host of his signature news program, "Isiah Factor Uncensored." The Baton Rouge, La., native knew early on he wanted to be a news guy. Before he even graduated from Southern University, he was already a news anchor and a reporter for his hometown of Baton Rouge, LA’s WXOK-AM radio. By 1990, Isiah was the News Director and anchor at KQXL-AM and WYCT-FM. That same year, Isiah got his first real TV job as a reporter and Public Affairs talk show host at WVLA. In 1991, he joined WAFB-TV for four years. He joined KRIV-TV in September 2001. Throughout his broadcasting career, Isiah has won several awards, including an Emmy and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists.

 Jonathan Martin is the co-anchor of FOX 26 News at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Since joining the FOX 26 News team in May 2016, Jonathan has covered some of Houston's most significant events. He anchored over 20 hours of coverage as Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast. He also helped lead the station's coverage of the Astros' World Series win and the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush. Jonathan is a four-time Emmy nominee and has received several Associated Press honors for his work. The Atlanta native and graduate of Auburn University is a strong mentoring advocate. He founded Beyond The Game, a high school initiative created to inspire young men of color in Houston. Since he is a former athlete, Jonathan is a health and fitness advocate. He partnered with Houston’s Parks & Recreation Department to create SWEAT TX, a fitness program for kids.

Hosting this year’s affair will be American record producer, songwriter, and ghostwriter Bryan Michael Cox from Miami. He is a frequent collaborator and partner of the equally successful Jermaine Dupri. He is a legend in R&B music production and songwriting, having written and produced chart-topping singles for Mariah Carey, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Beyonce, and many others. He has written and produced 35 No. 1 singles. He is responsible for 100 million+ record and album sales and has attained a Guinness World Record for the most extended consecutive period of chart success. He has 12 Grammy Award nominations, including nine wins, 20 top-ten hits, eclipsing the record previously held by the Beatles.

Champagne & Ribs is Thursday, December 15, 2022, from 6:30–10:00 p.m. at the Houston Museum of African American Culture, 4807 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77004. Tickets range from $65 to $100. Sponsorships are available. For tickets, sponsorships, or more information, visit hmaac.org.