The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization formed to combat systemic racism in the music industry, announced the honorees at the second annual Music in Action Awards gala on Thursday, September 22 at the Beverly Hilton. . in Beverly Hills, California.
This year’s award recipients are:
John “Big John” Platt, President and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, with the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award.
Kevin Liles, President and CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment along with Amazon Music and Recording Academy with the BMAC Social Impact Award.
Journalist Nicole Hanna-Jones, attorney and author Brittany K. Barnett and cultural creators Joy Brown with the BMAC Change Agent Award.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), with the inaugural BMAC Icon Award
“Activism is a daily decision to stand up for what is right. … It’s about being willing to speak truth to power without remorse,” Willie “Prophet” Stigers, co-founder/co-chair of BMAC, said in a statement. “Each of the 2022 Music in Action Award winners embodies that spirit. BMAC is an organization created to hold our industry accountable for its pledge to fight systemic racism and applauds and appreciates those who use their voice, platform and resources to go beyond gestures of solidarity but real actions that lead to change.
Several awardees also issued statements.
“Clarence Avant is an extremely important person in my life, so receiving the BMAC Trailblazer Award on his behalf is a special honor,” said Platt. “Clarence has paved a path that continues to inspire many of us, and I appreciate BMAC continuing their path towards equality in the music business.”
“In my 35 years in the industry, I have tried to make every decision and act intentionally with the overriding goal of social justice and equality,” Liles said. “My mission is to create change so that meeting rooms reflect the music being played. I am honored and honored to receive the BMAC Social Impact Award and excited to continue the conversation and drive needed change in our industry. “
“We are absolutely honored to receive the Black Music Action Coalition’s Social Impact Award,” said Harvey Mason Jr., Executive Director of the Recording Academy and co-chairs Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panayim. “We, as an organization and a new leadership team, are committed to the long-term systemic work that must be done to bring about real, measurable change in our industry and around the world.” … The power of music and our role in the recording academy in promoting equality for black music is a responsibility we take very seriously. We look forward to continuing this essential work with BMAC and our industry partners.
“Amazon Music is honored to be a part of BMAC’s annual Music in Action Awards gala and to receive its Social Impact Award,” said Tim Hinshaw, Head of Hip-Hop and R&B at Amazon Music. “Black musicians, songwriters and executives are at the heart of this industry and we are honored to work with BMAC to provide the support needed for the next generation of black people to thrive.”
The winner of the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award will be announced later this month. More winners, participants and event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Honorees at the inaugural Music in Action Awards 2021 gala included The Weeknd, HER, Ethiopia Habtemariam, Tuma Basa, attorney Ben Crump, Dina LaPolt, Aurora James, YouTube Music and Sean G.
The Black Music Action Coalition’s board includes Stigers, Caron Veazey, Ashausna Ayars, Naima Cochrane, Jamil Davis, Shawn Holiday, Damien Smith and Courtney Stewart. The BMAC Advisory Board includes Avant, Jones and Irving Azoff.
In addition to honoring the awardees, this year’s event celebrates the organization’s achievements and highlights future initiatives. In 2021, the organization released the inaugural Music Industry Action Report Card, a measure of accountability and a call to action for black music industry executives, artists, vendors and stakeholders to have voice, visibility, participation and ownership. along with the recipe for black music and culture.
Additionally, BMAC has partnered with #BreatheWithMe, NOWTHIS, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Summer Walker, Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign, TI and others to create “17 Ways Blacks Are Killing America,” a plea the action. The Biden administration created the Commission on Truth, Racial Healing and America’s Transformation. In May, BMAC partnered with Wasserman Music and Tennessee State University’s Commercial Music Program for a three-week music acceleration program. The group also launched its COVID Relief Fund for black creatives and industry professionals whose income has been affected by the pandemic. More recently, BMAC worked with US Representatives Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Jamaal Bowman (DN.Y.) you. . Criminal and civil cases.
The 2022 gala will also celebrate this year’s Music Industry Action Report, released later this month, and highlight the 2023 launch of a transformational support program that will guarantee basic income for 40 artists, creators and aspiring music managers. . Black Nashville. .
For more information about the Black Music Action Coalition and the Music In Action Awards Gala, visit bmacoalition.org.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
