American musicians LL Cool J and Usher are among the prominent figures and artists to be honoured at the 2024 Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) gala.
Scheduled to come off on the 19th of September 2024, the forthcoming event will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
While LL Cool J will be honoured with The Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award, Usher will be recognized with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award. Additionally, the BMAC Social Impact Award will be given to the BET Media Group: president/CEO Scott Mills, president/media sales Louis Carr, exec. VP of specials, music programming & music strategy Constance Orlando and exec. VP/Chief Marketing Officer Kimberly Paige. Director of BeyGood, Ivy McGregor will accept the BMAC Change Agent Award, while Live Nation will receive the BMAC 365 Award.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s honorees who have utilized their talents, platforms and resources to create a positive and meaningful impact in social and racial justice globally,” said BMAC co-founder and president/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers in a press statement. “This year’s gala comes at a pivotal time for our industry and country. It is more important than ever to recognize these incredible accomplishments and unite the entertainment industry to use our collective voice in inspiring imperative change.”
LL Cool J added, “To be receiving this award from an organization that is making such big moves for racial equity and justice within the music industry is an honour. Clarence Avant was a true legend. He and I were both inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame the same year [2021] and he was a father figure to me. So it’s a full circle moment and feels truly special.”
The forthcoming Live Nation-presented event will be hosted by Kenny Burns, an entertainment and lifestyle specialist. BMAC’s inaugural auction in partnership with Julien’s Auctions will be featured in this year’s edition of the highly-profiled event. Also set for September: the release of the organization’s third edition of its Music Industry Action Report Card.
H.E.R., Lil Baby, Lizzo, The Weeknd, Sony Music Publishing chairman/CEO Jon Platt, U.S. Representative (D-CA) Maxine Waters, Keke Palmer, Jermaine Dupri and The Recording Academy are previous BMAC Gala honorees. For more information about BMAC and the BMAC Gala, visit bmacoalition.org.
