Epic Records CEO Sylvia Rhone will also be given the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award at the event. Jermaine Dupri was already named as a recipient of the award. Rhone “was the first Black woman to be named CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company” when she “started her job in 2019”. She will receive the award named for the late music executive who worked on the BMAC advisory board.
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, one of the founders of BMAC, said, “We are proud to honor Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s gala. They join a group of trailblazers who have had a huge impact on the music industry and beyond.” “We applaud their commitment to breaking rules, making Black voices heard, and breaking through glass ceilings to make room for Black women.”
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Just a month ago, “Lizzo, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley were sued by three former dancers” who say they were subjected to “religious and racial harassment, discrimination based on disability, assault, and false imprisonment”. Two days after the complaint was made, Lizzo posted a long response on Instagram in which she denied the claims. The Grammy-winning singer wrote, “I am not here to be seen as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have made me out to be in the last few days.” “Nothing is more important to me than the respect we women deserve in the world.”
This year’s BMAC gala will be held on September 21 at The Beverly Hilton. It will honor people and groups who have made good changes and helped make the community more fair. Entertainment and lifestyle expert Kenny Burns will be in charge of the event. In addition to Lizzo, Rhone and Dupri, previously announced honorees include Keke Palmer, producer Jesse Collins and Universal Music Group senior vp and Task Force for Meaningful Change executive director Dr. Menna Demessie, who will share the Social Impact Award; Lava Meda co-founder CEO Jason Flom and rapper-activist Trae tha Truth, who will receive the Change Agent Award; and Rolling Loud co-founders Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler, who will receive the 365 Award.