Lizzo will receive the BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award and Keke Palmer will receive the BMAC Social Impact Award

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is set to host the highly anticipated 2023 BMAC Gala, a star-studded event that recognizes individuals and organizations making impactful contributions to equity and positive change within the community. The multifaceted artist Lizzo, will receive the BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award, and Sylvia Rhone, Chairwoman & CEO of Epic Records, will be honored with the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award. This year's gala, the third annual edition, will be hosted by the dynamic entertainment/lifestyle specialist Kenny Burns and is scheduled for Thursday, September 21 at the renowned Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Attendees can look forward to a special menu curated by the celebrated celebrity chef, restaurateur, author, and owner of Melba’s Restaurants and Melba’s Catering, Melba Wilson.

Lizzo, a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning superstar known for her talents in singing, songwriting, rapping, and acting, will be the recipient of the prestigious BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award. This honor recognizes her unwavering dedication to philanthropy and social justice causes. In 2020, Lizzo launched Lizzolovesyou.com, a platform that provides visitors with resources, action items, and donation opportunities to support marginalized communities and causes. Over the past four years, her Annual Juneteenth Giveback initiative has raised and donated over half a million dollars to 18 different organizations, including Black Girls Smile, Save Our Sisters, The Bail Project, Reform Alliance, and more. In response to the recent developments surrounding Roe v. Wade, Lizzo generously donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds to ensure access to reproductive healthcare. Throughout her career, she has been a steadfast advocate for inclusivity and has used her music to empower marginalized groups and promote diversity. Past recipients of the BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award include acclaimed artists such as Lil Baby, The Weeknd, and H.E.R.

Sylvia Rhone, often hailed as the most influential female executive in the history of the music business, will be presented with the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award. This award, named in honor of the late Clarence Avant, a legendary music executive and a member of the BMAC Advisory Board, pays tribute to Rhone's groundbreaking achievements. Since taking on the role of chairwoman and CEO at Epic Records in 2019, she has shattered barriers, becoming the first woman to lead a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company and the first Black woman to attain such a prestigious position. Past recipients of the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award include Jon “Big Jon” Platt and Ethiopia Habtemariam.

Willie "Prophet" Stiggers, Co-Founder/Chair of the Black Music Action Coalition, expressed his pride in honoring Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year's Gala, emphasizing their significant impact not only in the music industry but also in society. He said, "We applaud their dedication to pushing boundaries, amplifying Black voices, and crashing through those glass ceilings, creating space for Black Women.”

These latest honorees join an impressive lineup that includes Jermaine Dupri, who will receive the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award, Keke Palmer, recipient of the BMAC Social Impact Award, and other distinguished individuals like Dr. Menna Demessie, Jesse Collins, Jason Flom, Trae tha Truth, Tariq Cherif, and Matt Zingler.

Since its inception in 2020, the Black Music Action Coalition has played a pivotal role in addressing systemic racism within the music industry and advocating for Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers, and other passionate industry professionals. The 2023 BMAC Gala will serve as a celebration of the organization’s accomplishments over the past year while shining a spotlight on upcoming initiatives. Attendees can expect an unforgettable evening featuring musical performances, heartfelt tributes, and a shared vision of justice, encouragement, and hope for the future.

The festivities will commence on Sunday, September 17, with BMAC x The Revels Group’s annual BLACK: Future. Now. Brunch, an event that highlights both established Black pillars and rising stars in the entertainment industry who are paving the way for future generations. On Tuesday, September 19, BMAC, in collaboration with the Save The Music Foundation and 1500 Sound Academy, will host the “Remixing the Industry: Creating Pathways for Students of Color” summit. The event will feature GRAMMY Award-nominated rapper and BMAC Executive Leadership Council member Cordae, BMAC Co-Founder/Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Range Media Partners’ manager Aaron “Ace” Christian, and Atlantic Records EVP of A&R Dallas Martin. The summit aims to provide students with insights into building careers in the entertainment industry.

The Black Music Action Coalition Board, consisting of influential figures such as Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Caron Veazey, Ashaunna Ayars, Naima Cochrane, Jamil Davis, Shawn Holiday, Damien Smith, and Courtney Stewart, works tirelessly to champion Black voices in the industry. Additionally, the BMAC Advisory Board includes luminaries like the late Clarence Avant, Irving Azoff, and Quincy Jones. Past honorees have included H.E.R., The Weeknd, Lil Baby, The Recording Academy, Jon “Big Jon” Platt, Rep. Maxine Waters, and more.