Living Legends Foundation Honors Black Music Excellence

Different honorees included Zelma Redding (Legacy Award), Cynthia Horner (Media Icon Award), Kashon Powell (Jerry Boulding Radio Govt Award), Samantha Selolwane (Music Govt Award), DeDe McGuire (Frankie Crocker Radio Character Award), Carole Carper (Feminine Govt Award), and Louise West (Kendall Minter Leisure Advocate Award).

Hosted by Skip Cheatham, Govt Producer and Program Director of The D.L. Hughley Present, the gala featured a reside efficiency by flute-playing soul-jazz artist Regan Whiteside. The night’s chairperson, David Linton, Program Director of Jazz 91.9 WCLK, emphasised the muse’s continued mission to rejoice and protect the legacy of Black executives and artists who’ve paved the best way for right now’s inventive professionals.

Giving Flowers Whereas They’re Nonetheless Right here

Throughout the purple carpet, a recurring theme emerged: the significance of honoring dwelling legends now, one thing Jamal Morton stated embodies the occasion’s mission.

“Time is brief. Life is brief. We have now to understand the dwelling legends who paved the best way for this era and generations to come back,” stated Morton.

James McMillan, board member of the Residing Legends Basis and CEO of Artwork@Battle Leisure, echoed that sentiment.

“We’re right here to rejoice those that laid the muse for excellence,” McMillan stated. “They created the enterprise that all of us get to be part of and make a dwelling from right now.”

Quincy Taylor, CEO of Capital Construction and a part of the host committee, described the night time as “a revival.”

“There’s an amazing restructure taking place in R&B proper now,” Parker stated. “We simply need to maintain the legacy of Black executives and Black music going — passing that custom from era to era.”

The Soundtrack of a Lifetime

For a lot of, the presence of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis — the hitmaking duo behind classics for Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Boyz II Males — was a spotlight of the night time.

“To be acknowledged as a dwelling legend is great,” stated Jimmy Jam. “Notably the dwelling half.”

Terry Lewis added that the night was not nearly reflection however duty.

“This enterprise doesn’t tolerate mediocrity. When you’re nonetheless right here doing it, you’re glorious — and we’re proud to rejoice that,: stated Lewis.

When requested what recommendation they’d give to rising artists navigating the digital age, Jam stated a solution that made issues fairly easy.

“Substitute the phrase ready with getting ready. Be ready in your second — as a result of as James Brown stated, in case you keep prepared, you don’t should prepare.”

Honoring the Previous, Inspiring the Future

From entertainers to executives, attendees agreed that the night time was greater than a ceremony — it was a reminder of why legacy issues.

Actress Kron Moore mirrored on the nostalgia of being on the identical venue the place she renewed her vows.

“Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have been the soundtrack of my childhood. They deserve their flowers — and it’s a blessing to rejoice them whereas they’re nonetheless right here.”

Radio veteran Samuel, from City One, shared related ideas.

“Too many instances we wait till individuals are gone. This occasion is about celebrating those that are alive and nonetheless impacting tradition.”

R&B artist Q Parker of 112 saved it actual concerning the state of the style.

“R&B isn’t useless — not so long as I’ve acquired one thing to say. I’m a romance seller. I’ll all the time push love, and I admire what right now’s artists are doing to hold the torch.”

A Legacy Nonetheless in Movement

By the tip of the night time, it was clear that the Residing Legends Basis continues to function each an anchor and a mirror — reminding the trade of the place it’s been and the place it nonetheless has the facility to go, as Quincy Taylor put it finest.

“Simply do the work. The outcomes will are available, and also you’ll be acknowledged for it.”

The night time at Flourish Atlanta wasn’t nearly awards; it was about gratitude, resilience, and the continued evolution of Black excellence in music. The legends could also be dwelling, however their affect shall be everlasting.