LL COOL J and Usher have been among the many honorees saluted Thursday evening by the Black Music Action Coalition on the group’s fourth annual BMAC Gala. As BMAC co-founder/president/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers famous, the occasion isn’t about “celebrating record sales, streaming numbers or other accolades. It’s the intersection of activism and music.”
As Stiggers additional defined, “When most are turning down the volume around social, racial and economic justice, we’re doubling down on efforts and spotlighting the positive and meaningful impact that the music industry has made on society, which is what we hope to inspire with this event.”
Chief among the many highlights contained in the packed ballroom at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton Hotel have been the shows of the Clarence Avant Trailblazer and Quincy Jones Humanitarian Awards to LL COOL J and Usher, respectively. Surprised onstage by legal professional Benjamin Crump, who introduced the award, LL famous to exuberant viewers applause and cheers, “You must continue to believe in the beauty of your dreams. If I can come all the way here from Queens and do the things that I’m doing, then anything is possible.”
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)
After receiving his award from fellow artist Bobby Brown and briefly teasing the gang with one in all his patented dance strikes, Usher segued right into a heartwarming 15-minute acceptance speech. He stated, partly, “Aside from just being Usher, the performer, the entertainer, I strive every day to just be Usher, the human; who has the means and the power to inspire and bring awareness to the issues that we face as Black men and women in this country.”
Actress Taraji P. Henson introduced the BMAC Social Impact Act to the BET Media Group. The firm’s govt honorees included president/CEO Scott Mills; president, media gross sales Louis Carr; govt vp of specials, music programming & music Constance Orlando and govt vp/chief advertising and marketing officer Kimberly Paige. The BMAC Change Agent Award was given to Ivy McGregor, CEO of Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD basis. And the BMAC 365 Award was introduced to Live Nation.
Rapper/activist Gunna acquired a particular commendation from the Mayors of Guaranteed Income, a company comprised of greater than 170 mayors from throughout the nation. “I’m here to make sure my community is uplifted – this GI program is going to help change a lot of lives,” stated Gunna. He just lately partnered with BMAC to launch the BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income initiative, which can present a $1,000 month-to-month stipend to 30 households residing within the artist’s hometown of South Fulton, Georgia.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)
Hosted by Kenny Burns, the gala additionally featured BJ The Chicago Kid, who set the night’s tone together with his interpretation of the Black National Anthem. Taking the stage later within the night have been Anthony Hamilton and The Hamiltones, who carried out a soulful medley. This 12 months’s gala additionally marked the inaugural BMAC public sale, hosted in partnership with Julien’s Auctions. Among the choices that attendees have been vying for: a Flavor Flav clock necklace and sun shades owned by music legend James Brown.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)
In the walkup to its gala, BMAC hosted a collection of different occasions. In partnership with The Revels Group, BMAC co-hosted the Black Future Now brunch (Sept. 15), which honored Jhené Aiko, Cash Cobain and artist supervisor Rachelle Jean-Louis. Two days later (Sept. 17), BMAC’s Stiggers accepted SESAC’s Visionary Award. Then the subsequent night (Sept. 18), Stiggers sat down with BMI president/CEO Mike O’Neill to talk about the benefits and challenges of AI throughout a panel additionally co-hosted by BMAC.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)
