Today, the Black Music Action Coalition announced additional honorees for their gala, which includes Lizzo, who will be honored with the BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award and Sylvia Rhone, Chairwoman & CEO of Epic Records, who is to receive the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award.
“The Black Music Action Coalition is proud to honor Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s Gala, as they join a group of trailblazers who have made immense impact within the music industry and beyond,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Co-Founder/Chair Black Music Action Coalition. “We applaud their dedication to pushing boundaries, amplifying Black voices and crashing through those glass ceilings creating space for Black Women.”
Previously announced honorees for this year’s ceremony include Jermaine Dupri, who will receive the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award; Keke Palmer, Dr. Menna Demessie, and Emmy Award-winning producer Jesse Collins are the recipients of the Social Impact Award; Jason Flom and Trae tha Truth are to receive the BMAC Change Agent Award, and the BMAC 365 Award will go to Rolling Loud Co-Founders Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler.
“As we come together at this year’s BMAC Gala, we celebrate the passion, artistry and activism that burns bright in the hearts of our honorees,” said Prophet “Willie” Stiggers, Co-Founder/Chair Black Music Action Coalition. “They all have fearlessly embraced the power of music and entertainment to drive change and transcend boundaries.”
The third annual gala is a celebration honoring individuals and organizations who have affected positive change and helped improve equity within the community.
This year’s Gala will include a special tribute to honor the legacy of the late Clarence Avant, who was on the BMAC Advisory Board. “BMAC will always be honored to have had him on our Advisory Board. His life, and contributions to the industry, are unparalleled, his legacy will live on forever,” said Shawn Holiday, Black Music Action Coalition Co-Founder.”
The BMAC festivities will kick-off on Sunday, September 17 with BMAC x The Revels Group’s annual BLACK: Future. Now. Brunch to highlight Black pillars alongside rising stars in the entertainment industry. On Tuesday, September 19, BMAC along with the Save The Music Foundation and 1500 Sound Academy will host a “Remixing the Industry: Creating Pathways for Students of Color” summit.
Since the Black Music Action Coalition’s inception in 2020, the organization has been instrumental in addressing systemic racism within the music business and advocating on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers and other impassioned industry professionals.
“The BMAC Gala has become synonymous with the importance of centering awareness on equality and equity,” said Caron Veazey, Black Music Action Coalition Co-Founder. “It’s an evening where we come together to shine a light on the incredible contributions of the Honorees, and to celebrate the impact they’ve made on the journey towards social justice.”