Celebrating Melba Moore — A Night at the Legendary Sugar Bar

Akilah H. Green

Stepping into Sugar Bar, felt like entertaining a piece of Black cultural history. The legendary performance and gathering space, founded by Valerie Simpson and the late Nick Ashford, celebrated Melba Moore in this new phase of her career, and it was definitely a night to remember.

The atmosphere was warm and intimate, wrapped in rich African-inspired décor that felt both regal and familiar. Earth tones, carved wood, and warm lighting gave the venue a soul-deep glow. The upstairs offered another level of charm, giving the sense that every corner of the Sugar Bar held a story—and on this particular evening, it certainly did.

This was a private, star-studded celebration—the kind where you feel the energy shift the moment you walk in. Familiar faces lit up the room, including Robin Roberts, Angelo Ellerbee (PR Agent to the Stars), and the beautiful, talented Valerie Simpson, moving through the space with smiles and ease. You could feel the weight of legacy in the room, along with joy, celebration, and community.

All of it centered around one woman: the incomparable Melba Moore.

The gathering was held in honor of the release of her new memoir, This Is It: Marvelous & Getting Better—a title that perfectly captures her spirit of resilience and radiance. Melba was celebrated as the Harlem Hall of Fame’s Icon Living Honoree for 2025, a prestigious award presented by Jon Marc Sandifer, recognizing not just her legendary career but her enduring impact on culture, music, Broadway, and Black excellence.

Melba was also surprised with a life-size portrait. The moment she saw it, the room paused collectively, taking in a lifetime of artistry, grit, boundary-breaking brilliance reflected back at her in paint. It was powerful. It was emotional. It was well-deserved.

Throughout the night, Melba glowed as everyone lifted her with warm, adoring words. She spoke with gratitude, humor, and timeless grace. The room felt wrapped in her legacy, as if everyone present was witnessing the celebration of a woman who has given generations so much—through her voice, her courage, and her creativity.

It was more than an event. It was a moment—a celebration of heritage, artistry, and Black brilliance, all unfolding in a legendary space built by icons and filled with them once again.