West V. Wave Awards 2026
The West V. Wave Awards celebrate the creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders who think outside the box, challenge the norm, and create their own opportunities. These are the individuals who don't wait for a wave to come; they make their own, move culture forward, and leave their mark in their community.
West V. Wave Awards 2026
The West V. Wave Awards celebrate the creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders who think outside the box, challenge the norm, and create their own opportunities. These are the individuals who don't wait for a wave to come; they make their own, move culture forward, and leave their mark in their community.
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Best Hairstylist
- Dyneka Wilson
- Morgan Phillips
- Tyjhea Grandjean
- Elana Claytor
- Rhodri Walker
- Kno’Shavia Sampson
- Aaliyah Tyson
- Sharee Carson
- Abirah Smith
- Chalese Zeniaã
- Shauna
- Tonya Wilson, Essence of Beauty
- Destana Mason
- Skyler Allen
- Prince Skylar Benjamin
- LaToya Saunders
- Mo D. Phillips
- Kerry Wilkinson
- Jamesha Loveless
- Torri Locke
- Raychul Slusher
- Dionne Beverly
- Kachaka Medcalf
- Ivy Gail
- Vonyetta
- Jaliyah
- Jaiden Knox
- Kendra Bly
- Jeriaha Hall
- Star Jae Davis
- Kita Lowe
- Kate LeMaster
- Katie Collins
- Montinaue Johnson
- Breonna Newkirk
- Kalani Lycans
- Justice Tyana Samuels
Best Barber
- Ernest Hall
- Andre Miller
- LeMarquis Redd
- Kyle
- Justin Fritz
- D’ Shaad Bannister
- Stradwick’s Fade Cave
- Don Juan
- Cam Penn
- Gibreal Powell
- NIco Cooper
- Forest
- Trey Baker
- Cleveon Dawkins
- Jon Varnado
- Kyaola Bradford
- Uptown Barbershop And Salon
- Charles Borders
- James Washington
- Elwood
- Donte McFadden
- Quincy Bruton
- Jay French
- Tre Baker
- DaShaun Watkins
- Meech Law
- Jonathan Hairston
- Anthony Dye
- Curtis Rollins Bey
- Kyle Colon
Best Food Around
- Fairfield Kitchen and Bakery
- Brandie Gore
- Kristin Dial
- Catherine Brown
- Shauntel Eberhart
- Shikhar
- SQ Kitchen
- Prince Phae
- Sumthin Good Soul Food
- Lavale Howard
- Yafessa Johnson / Soul'd Up
- Kara Hornbuckle
- Krista Menchaca
- Auntie Pearls Honeypot
- Phat Daddy's On the Tracks
- Billy Dyess
- Chef Ke
- Shay Curry
- Ashmo Eats
- Reverend Dunn
- Carol HInes
- Mountain Mama's Kitchen
- Melissa Chaffins
- Jamaican Spice West Virginia
- Grady
- Karubees
- Jessica Parke
- Rio Cuisine
Best Makeup Artist
- Sheik by Sharee
- Dyneka Wilson
- Lulu Lookz
- Kela Brandon
- Meiche Thomas Monroe
- Kerry Wilkinson
- Hailey Lunsford
- Cassandra Patterson
- S'Kaiya Clark-Gilmer
- Dae Coping
Best Photographer
- Blank Slate
- Jason Howard
- BMO
- Savanha Quesenberry
- PJ Galloway
- Rodney Sorrell
- Hughes Photography LLC
- Chris Feldhaus
- Stephanie Ellison
- Jay Howards
- Damon Spriggs
- Cats Photography
- Rafael Barker
- Zyon Murray
- Mychal Tolley
- Kevin Young
- Kiersten With A Camera
- Hurricane Media
- CT Minimah
- Lequan Lee
- Natasha Taray Photography
- Jada Bledsoe
Best Videographer
- Mychal Tolley
- BMO FILMS
- Blank Slate
- Stanley Williams
- Jarell Agee
- Jay Howards
- Jonah Dyer
- T Michael James
- Allen Wallace
- Van Scott
- Mike Tessman
Best Promoter
- Woody Woods
- Bleu Young
- Xavier Jones
- Tri-State Avengers
- Eric Easley
- Aprylle Buford
- Tru Jordan
- Naeem Miller
- Kristen Shannon
- Big Meezy
- MJ Dixon
- Party House Dizzy
- Freddy Viney
- Jour Dollas
Best DJ
- DJ Lucky Lefty
- DJ Lauryn Trill (Verda Mae)
- DJ Illspin
- DJ Astro
- Demetrius
- Woody Woods
- DJ ActRight
- Dj Steady
- DJ T Nuts
- DJ Press
- Quamise Carter
- Dj Jellz
- DJ Special K
- Charlie Blac
- Dj Rico
- Big L
- Aaliyah Jackson
- DJ Hurricane
- Brian Nabors
- Tanner Taylor
- EJ The DJ
- Angel George
Neighborhood Hero
- Shameka Mitchell
- Rising Tide of Hope
- Angelica Gilleran
- Tara Baby T Sexton
- Courtney Campbell
- Sean Hornbuckle
- Kerstin Santamaria
- Martec Washington
- Larry Moore
- Octavia Cordon
- Tamika Wilborne
- Candace Layne
- Cultural Legacy Builders
- Rodger Cantrell
- Turan Rush
- Jabbar Thompson Jr
- Yvonne Sherii Lee Long
- Lakeisha Barron Brown
- Dural Miller
- T.L TeeCee Carter
- Trey Childress
- Big Bank Hank Paul
- Gary Collins
- Wayne Harris
- Hollis Lewis
- Shanequa Smith
- Pastor Leo
- Regina Riley
- Shayla Leftridge
- Tonya Clark
- Karley Reid Walker
Favorite Non-Profit Organization
- Step by Step
- 3 Betties Foundation
- FairfieldU
- Empower Her Environmental Wellness Inc
- Creating The Advantage
- Tamika Wilborne
- Rodger Cantrell
- Acts of Kindness
- Tracy Lewis Palmer
- Keep Your Faith Corporation
- WV Free
- Healing House
- Destiny Morris
- Traletta Banks
- Anitra Hawarny
Best Nail Technician
- Alaina Schwechler
- Kandykrylix Kelli
- Amber Brown
- Brooklyn Adams
- Ashtin
- Malaya Williams
- Nailed By Summer
- Emma Grace
- Jamara Walton
- Kathlyn Legg
- Summer Mcvey
- Katie Krylix
- Titania Ly
- Alaina Schwechler
- Christina Le Carter
- Mia Karma
Best Clothing Designer
- Juwan Harris
- Rashawn Morris
- Ashley Velez
- Rayy Dickerson
- Rasheed Campbell
- Kesha Lashae
- Tatplug
- Marvino
- Elisha Patterson
- Nakonjae
- Mkaila Smith
- Myles T
- Krissi Ellis
Best Content Creator
- Josh Owens
- No Rap on Sunday
- Melody Russell
- Denita Barr
- A..L.L.4U
- Shooting Shit with Shank
- DogtalkDreoo
- D’Shaad Bannister
- Locc Lilman
- The Square Bidness Podcast
- Gaston Smith
- Louie J
- Jessica Martin
- Tianna Stockton
- Grady Woods
- Brb Dubbie
- Lydia Rivera
- Autumn Collete
- Creeplachia
- Krazy K
- Knoshavia Sampson
- Morgan Morrison
- Cedric Bell
- Tiana The Superfemme Gem
- Ashley Wright
Emerging Entrepreneur
- Juwan Harris
- Nomorea Jordan
- Fatimat Amoo
- Torque Tattoo
- Sharee Carson
- Righteous Beauty
- Brian (Bdub) : Retro Outdoor Services
- Myles T
- Key Key Dudley
- Isaiah Hairston
- Charles Christian
- Brushanda Ryles
- Adriana Law
- Kelsie Nicole
- Rasheed Campbell
- Bossie Mitchell
West Virginia Motion Maker
- Joshua Dunbar
- Shawn Lewis
- Roberto Dunn
- Chamear Triggs Davis
- Myles T
- Meezy
- Juwan Hairston
- D'Shaad Bannister
- Woody Woods
- Dural Miller
- Duck City
- Crystal Good