The 8th Annual Daytime Beauty Awards (DBA), founded by Michele Elyzabeth, celebrated the best in science behind beauty, health and wellness on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 at the Grand Venue. The award ceremony luncheon recognizes excellence in medicine, health and fitness, aesthetics, skincare, color and styling, CBD and cannabis, beauty innovation, and more.
Former Zen Award honoree and four-time NBA Champion John Salley presented The Zen Award to legendary Emmy Award-winning television host Montel Williams. In a powerful acceptance speech, Montel reflected on more than two decades of activism and his commitment to helping humankind through forward-thinking conversations surrounding cannabis, science and patient access. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, Montel spoke candidly about how medical cannabis helped him.
“The legendary Montel Williams knows a thing or two about the science of healthy living and what it takes to turn a personal health journey into a powerful movement for change,” said John.
For more than 25 years, Montel Williams has been one of the nation’s most prominent and enduring voices for cannabis and cannabinoid education, patient access, responsible policy, and scientific research. His advocacy began through personal experience following his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 1999, when he began exploring cannabis as part of his approach to managing the symptoms of chronic illness.
Long before cannabis reform entered the mainstream conversation, Montel used his national platform to challenge stigma, advocate for patients, and encourage policies grounded in science, compassion, and responsible access. Over the past quarter-century, he has worked alongside patients, physicians, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders to advance greater understanding of cannabis, CBD, hemp-derived products, and their potential roles in health and wellness.
That commitment continues through Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, his long-running podcast dedicated to cannabis education, science, business, policy, and culture. Across more than 750 episodes, Montel has created a platform for conversations with researchers, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, patients, and advocates helping shape the future of cannabis and cannabinoid science.
In 2026, Montel expanded his work in hemp wellness through a partnership with FK+, a wellness company developing hemp-derived products formulated with adaptogens, continuing his focus on quality, transparency, responsible formulation, and informed consumer choice.
An Emmy Award-winning television host, decorated U.S. military veteran, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and patient advocate, Montel spent 17 years at the helm of The Montel Williams Show and today hosts Military Makeover with Montel on Lifetime, as well as Let’s Be Blunt with Montel and Free Thinking with Montel.
