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Celebrating Faith, Art, and Inspiration: Tiffany Haddish, Mo Amer, Zahn McClarnon Shine at LA Gala

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 22:39 GMT by Variety

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Celebrating Faith, Art, and Inspiration: Tiffany Haddish, Mo Amer, Zahn McClarnon, and More Take the Stage at the Faith & Spirituality Honors

On a luminous evening in Los Angeles, the entertainment community gathered to celebrate the power of faith and spirituality as they intersect with creativity, resilience, and community service. The event, part of the annual Faith & Spirituality Honors, honored a diverse group of artists, comedians, actors, and philanthropists who have woven their spiritual journeys into the fabric of their public personas and artistic endeavors. Among the standout honorees were Tiffany Haddish, Mo Amer, and Zahn McClarnon, each of whom shared moving reflections that underscored how their beliefs have guided them through personal and professional highs and lows.

The Venue and Atmosphere

Set against the backdrop of a sleek, candlelit hall on Sunset Boulevard, the ceremony was a blend of gospel-infused music, heartfelt speeches, and celebratory laughter. Attendees, ranging from film producers and music executives to faith leaders and everyday fans, were treated to a program that celebrated both the artistry and the authenticity of the honorees. The event’s hosts—an experienced producer from a prominent faith-based nonprofit and a charismatic actor known for his own spiritual testimony—steered the proceedings with a warm, inclusive tone.

Tiffany Haddish: Comedy, Courage, and Compassion

The opening speech set the tone. Tiffany Haddish, a powerhouse comedian and actress best known for her breakout role in Girls Trip, was one of the night’s biggest names. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Comedy and the Faith-Driven Impact Award, a dual honor that reflected her career’s trajectory from stand‑up stages to major film releases, as well as her philanthropic work.

Haddish’s acceptance speech resonated with humor and humility. She opened with a nod to her “wild journey” from a teenage mother in New Jersey to a Hollywood icon. “I’ve always been honest about how God’s grace kept me on track,” she said, laughing. “You can’t take a punchline, but you can take a prayer.”

She spoke candidly about her faith’s role during the COVID‑19 pandemic—when the comedy circuit shut down, Haddish turned to scripture and prayer to stay grounded. “I realized that when I laughed for my audience, I was also laughing for God. My faith gave me the resilience to keep writing, to keep performing, to keep connecting.”

Beyond the stage, Haddish emphasized her commitment to the Tiffany Haddish Foundation, a nonprofit that supports women and children who face financial hardship. She announced plans to expand the foundation’s scholarship program, offering grants to young comedians pursuing their dreams. The evening’s host praised Haddish’s “ability to use her platform for good,” noting that her foundation’s new initiative would help mentor at least a dozen aspiring performers in 2025.

Mo Amer: Storytelling, Social Justice, and Spiritual Roots

A short time later, the spotlight shifted to Mo Amer, a Syrian‑American comedian, writer, and activist whose humor tackles immigration, identity, and the power of language. He was presented with the Impact Award for Social Justice, a recognition for his outspoken advocacy on behalf of refugees and his commitment to elevating marginalized voices through comedy.

Amer’s acceptance was a masterclass in humor‑driven activism. He recounted how, during the early days of the Syrian civil war, he “spilled a cup of tea on a Turkish border guard and laughed at the absurdity of the situation.” He clarified that his comedy, while sharp, is underpinned by a deeply held belief that laughter can bridge cultural divides.

During his speech, Amer spoke about the role of faith in his journey. Though not a follower of a specific denomination, he described a “sacred sense of purpose” that guided him through the hardships of displacement and the challenges of breaking into the American entertainment scene. “My faith is more like a compass than a map,” he mused. “It tells me where I should go, even when I don’t know the path.”

He also took a moment to thank the event organizers for acknowledging the importance of intersectionality in faith. He announced his upcoming comedy tour, “Beyond Borders,” which will travel to cities with large immigrant communities, offering both laughter and resources for newcomers.

Zahn McClarnon: Cultural Heritage, Acting, and Spiritual Connection

The ceremony’s emotional crescendo came with Zahn McClarnon, a Native American actor of the Zuni and Navajo nations, who was honored for his lifelong dedication to preserving Indigenous culture through his roles in film, television, and theater. He received the Cultural Preservation Award, underscoring his contributions to bringing authentic Indigenous stories to mainstream media.

McClarnon’s acceptance speech was a lyrical exploration of the connection between his faith, his people, and his art. “The spirits of my ancestors still walk with me,” he told the audience. “Every time I step on set, I carry their stories, their hopes, their prayers.”

He shared a poignant memory of growing up in a small Navajo reservation where he’d witness the elders perform traditional songs and ceremonies. These early experiences instilled in him a reverence for the oral tradition and the importance of storytelling as a means of cultural survival.

In addition to his artistic accomplishments, McClarnon highlighted his involvement in various community initiatives. He is a founding member of the Navajo Storytelling Foundation, which mentors young actors and encourages them to incorporate their heritage into their craft. He also works with the Arizona Faith and Arts Coalition to provide workshops on spiritual leadership and creative expression.

Other Honorees and Highlights

The event also recognized a host of other notable figures, each chosen for their unique contributions to faith and art:

• Angela Brittany Barker received the Faith & Creativity Award for her groundbreaking work as a director and producer who infuses Christian narratives into mainstream cinema.
• Toni Collette earned the Spiritual Leadership Award for her decades of ministry work and for authoring a best‑selling book on the intersection of faith and mental health.
• Dionne Woods was awarded the Legacy in Music Award for her gospel‑inspired albums and her role in bridging church choirs with contemporary pop audiences.

Each honoree spoke briefly, weaving personal anecdotes, scripture references, and thank‑you notes to the community. Several performances punctuated the ceremony, including a gospel rendition of “Amazing Grace” by a choir of rising teen singers, and a comedic sketch by Haddish and Amer that humorously dramatized their respective faith journeys.

The Bigger Picture

The Faith & Spirituality Honors, founded by a coalition of religious leaders and entertainment executives, seeks to illuminate how spiritual conviction can inform and elevate artistic expression. By showcasing how faith can inspire resilience, compassion, and cultural stewardship, the event encourages both creators and audiences to view art not merely as entertainment but as a vessel for spiritual connection.

In a world that often segregates secular and sacred realms, the evening demonstrated that the two are deeply intertwined. Whether it’s a stand‑up comedian finding meaning in prayer, a social‑justice advocate using humor to break barriers, or a Native actor preserving ancestral narratives, the stories shared at the gala underscored that faith can be a powerful force behind artistic innovation and social change.

Looking Forward

While the night concluded with cheers, applause, and a sense of unity, the ripple effects of the Faith & Spirituality Honors will extend far beyond the gala’s velvet curtains. As highlighted by the honorees themselves, the event is a launchpad for new projects—fundraisers, tours, mentorship programs—that blend faith with artistry. With each new initiative, the intersection of spirituality and creative expression continues to gain momentum, promising an era where art becomes a conduit for deeper connection and collective healing.

In summation, the Faith & Spirituality Honors proved that faith does not merely coexist with art; it often fuels it. Through laughter, tears, and a shared sense of purpose, Tiffany Haddish, Mo Amer, Zahn McClarnon, and their fellow honorees reminded us that when we align our talents with our convictions, we can produce not only remarkable art but also a brighter, more compassionate world.