Cedric the Entertainer stepped into the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday night, with an enormous smile, a crisp black tuxedo and a floral print bow tie. Adoring fans, actors, musicians and his Hollywood peers lined up to take turns greeting the comedian at the Brotherhood Crusade’s Pioneer of African American Achievement Awards Gala.

Naturally, he made photographers and red carpet guests chuckle as he posed for the camera, flaunting his silk-adorned tuxedo and letting out witty one-liners throughout the night.

Cedric the Entertainer, born Cedric Antonio Kyles, was not there to entertain but the comedian effortlessly brought laughs and smiles to each person who requested a red carpet selfie. 

The actor, comedian, and television host has partnered with the Brotherhood Crusade for years, in an effort to “level to playing field” for inner city youth.

“They’re willing to get in there and go deep into the community and to that core, those African American males, those young women who are truly marginalized and can be left behind, and they’re serious about it,” he says. “They are serious about enfranchising these kids and getting them to find themselves and helping them just discover their self-esteem.”

The Brotherhood Crusade recognized that Cedric the Entertainer was serious about enfranchising youth as well. The non-profit organization presents the Bremond-Bakewell award each year to a pioneering African American who is dedicated to finding innovative approaches to a cause and this was Cedric The Entertainer’s year. He created The Kyles Family Foundation among his numerous philanthropic efforts in order to enrich and empower young men and women from the inside out.

“We believe that it’s just those little things, self-esteem, learning how to take care of your hair, take care of your hygiene, looking a person in the eye, those small things that evens the playing field,” he says.

Cedric the Entertainer finds these details to be especially relevant today, in light of the fatal shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Mo. He believes that equipping young men and women of color with skills like learning how to properly secure a tie and knowing when and where to use slang, may be able to save their lives in some instances.

“You can be yourself, you can have swag and all those things but you don’t necessarily have to do that at the detriment of your life,” he says.

“So even if that’s the way you dress, if you counteract that by saying ‘hey, how you doing sir. My name is…’ Whoa!” he exclaims.  “I can be shocked by the mere fact that you’re respectable and you’re kind, and you’re well spoken.”

A group of young men who are personally affected by the work of the Brotherhood Crusade put on their suits and tuxedos and enjoyed a star-studded night on the red carpet, taking advantage of the big photo opportunities. Cedric the Entertainer’s fraternity brother, KTLA’s Chris Schauble, hosted the awards ceremony portion of the night.

“He’s just a phenomenal man and he is well deserving of this honor,” says Schauble. “I don’t know him personally but we are both members of Kappa Alpha Psi so I know he’s a man of quality and substance.”

Brian McKnight, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, was also able to squeeze in time to honor his dear friend before flying off to perform in Alaska.

“Cedric’s been a friend of mine for many, many years, so the fact that I was available tonight is great and all of these fantastic, wonderful, black folks together in one room, it’s always good to be a part of that” says Mcknight.

The Beverly Hilton was adorned in lavish black, cream and deep-red garnishments. VIP guests were able to enjoy drinks to the sounds of a live jazz band as they mingled prior to the start of the awards ceremony. Guests then poured in to the main ballroom, which was decorated with large crystal chandeliers and dim black and red lighting. 

Other gala guests included LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Duane Martin, Dawnn Lewis, and April Parker-Jones. 

Reach Staff Reporter Ashley Velez here. Follow her on Twitter here.