The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) has announced its plans to honor Keke Palmer, Jermaine Dupri, and the late Clarence Avant at its highly anticipated 2023 gala. Presented by Live Nation, this annual event aims to celebrate individuals in the Black music community who have exemplified positivity and worked towards promoting equity in the industry. BMAC, founded in 2020, is dedicated to fighting systemic racism within the music business and advocating for Black artists, producers, lawyers, and other professionals in the industry.
One of the highlights of the gala will be a special tribute to Clarence Avant, who is affectionately known as “The Godfather of Black Music.” Avant, a legendary music executive, also served on the BMAC board alongside Quincy Jones and Irving Azoff, among others. Shawn Holiday, co-founder of BMAC, expressed gratitude for Avant’s presence on the Advisory Board, stating, “His life and contributions to the industry are unparalleled, and his legacy will live on forever.”
Unfortunately, Avant passed away earlier this month at the age of 92 at his home in Los Angeles. He was responsible for discovering renowned artist Bill Withers in the 1970s and worked with notable figures such as L.A Reid, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Quincy Jones throughout his career. Avant’s impact on the music industry is immeasurable, and his absence will surely be felt by all who knew him.
Jermaine Dupri, a highly regarded producer and artist, has been named the recipient of the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award at the gala. This award, which pays tribute to Avant’s significant contributions, has previously been bestowed upon Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam and Sony Music CEO Jon “Big Jon” Platt. BMAC’s co-founder and chair, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, praised this year’s honorees, stating that they have fearlessly embraced the power of music and entertainment to drive change and transcend boundaries.
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Among the other honorees at the gala is actress Keke Palmer, who will receive the BMAC Social Impact Award. This award recognizes her commitment to using her platform to make a positive difference in society. Additionally, rapper Trae The Truth will be presented with the BMAC Change Agent Award for his impactful activism and dedication to creating change within the music community.
The BMAC 365 Award will be presented to Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler, the co-founders of Rolling Loud. This award acknowledges their remarkable contributions to the music industry throughout the year. Previous BMAC honorees include H.E.R., Lil’ Baby, The Weeknd, Rep. Maxine Waters, and the Recording Academy. These individuals have all played significant roles in advocating for equality and social justice within the music industry.
Caron Veazey, co-founder of BMAC, highlighted the importance of the gala in shifting the focus away from traditional accolades, such as the number of streams or ticket sales, and towards centering awareness on equality and equity. She emphasized that the gala celebrates the incredible contributions of the honorees and the impact they have made on the journey towards social justice.
The 2023 BMAC gala is scheduled to take place on September 21 at the prestigious Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This event promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with well-deserved recognition, powerful performances, and a shared commitment to fostering positive change within the music industry. By honoring individuals like Keke Palmer, Jermaine Dupri, and the late Clarence Avant, BMAC continues to push for a more equitable and inclusive future for Black music professionals.
