*(Los Angeles, CA) — On Thursday, October 6th, 2016 The Living Legends Foundation,® Inc. (LLF) held its 25th Anniversary and 20th Awards Dinner and Gala at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA.
The organization honored seven distinguished individuals including Miller London, CEO of Russell Street Entertainment/CEG Music and LLF board member was presented with the Chairman’s Award. Tony Gray, founder and President of Gray Communications and LLF Advisory board member received the Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award. Sheila Eldridge, CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment was presented with the Entrepreneur Award. Regina Jones, founder and editor of SOUL newspaper received the Legacy Award in celebration of SOUL newspaper’s 50th Anniversary. Jamie Foster Brown, founder of Sister 2 Sister magazine was presented with the Media Executive Award. Larry Khan, Senior Vice President of Urban Promotion at Interscope Records received the Music Label Executive Award. Herb Trawick, creator, executive producer and co-host of Pensado’s Place was presented with the Creative Visionary Award. The LLF Chairman, David C. Linton presented a special award to LLF founder, Ray Harris.
“The 25th Anniversary Gala was a huge success,” say Linton! “I want to thank our honorees and our fantastic sponsors for their support. The funds raised will enhance our scholarship fund and the work we do to help our fellow industry brothers and sisters in their time of need.”
The gala was hosted by veteran Radio Personality “Jammin” Jay Michaels of Magic 92.3 in San Diego. Troy Carter, founder of Atom Factory and Global Head of Creator Services for Spotify served as the Honorary Event Chairperson. Gail Mitchell, senior correspondent of Billboard magazine was the Event Chairperson and Pat Shields, Partner of Black Dot, LLC and LLF Officer was the Dinner Committee Chairperson.
Dina Andrews, Council Aide to City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson of the 8th District, presented the Living Legends Foundation honorees and Board Officers a Certificate of Recognition during the awards gala on behalf of the City of Los Angeles’ City Council and President Herb Wesson. In addition to saluting the Foundation on its 25th anniversary, the certificate expressed the City’s pride that the LLF was founded in Los Angeles in 1991 and has become an influential organization that recognizes and honors the unsung heroes behind the scenes in all areas of the black music industry.
The performance line-up included Motown recording artist and American Idol winner La’Porsha Renae, R&B recording artist and songwriter, Guordan (pronounced Joor-dan) Banks and Smooth Jazz saxophonist Rob White.
The Living Legends Foundation Chairman Linton announced its inaugural Scholarship Fund, which will provide assistance for students from three Historically Black College and Universities including Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina; Texas Southern University in Houston; and Howard University in Washington, DC.
Several celebrities, VIPs and former honorees attended this year’s ceremony, including Sylvia Rhone (President of Epic Records), Loni Love (co-host of The Real & Café Mocha Radio), Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Freda Payne (recording artist and actress), Rolanda Watts (broadcast journalist), Ro Brooks (The Haves and the Have Nots), Cindy Herron (EnVogue), Ellis Hall (musician and recording artist) and others.
Sponsors for the Living Legends Foundation included Warner Chappell Music, Interscope, All Access Music Group, Columbia Records, Capitol Music Group, Berry Gordy Family Foundation, Regina Jones and Logan Westbrooks. Media partners included EURweb.com, Moses Media, Music Industry Quarterly, RadioFacts and The Urban Buzz.
The Living Legends Foundation gifting sponsors included African Pride, Ascent Publishing/Logan Westbrooks, Atria Books, Barbie, Byron Lars Beauty Mark, Cocotique, Concord Records, DynaPro, ESSENCE, FOX Searchlight, Grindstone Universal, Handliberation, HBO, Jackie’s Cookies, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Blue Engine Records, Johnson’s Popcorn, LaJoyce Hunter’s Faith Under Fire, LAMIK Skincare Products, LQB Entertainment, Lyn Francis, Marion T Candles, Milk + Brookies, Miss Jessie’s, Motema Music, Motown Gospel, Motown Records, RCA Inspiration, Rhino, Robert Brown’s Know Your Soul: The Music Of A Lifetime, Starz Network, Terri Lyne Carrington, Walker Wear, Warner Bros. and Wraps By Renzel.
In 1991, record industry legends Ray Harris, Barbara Lewis, C.C. Evans and the late Jerry Boulding founded the Living Legends Foundation,® Inc. Over the years, the organization has recognized and honored over 100 distinguished leaders in music, radio, retail and media.
The Living Legends Foundation,® Inc. is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization and has been funded primarily with corporate contributions and individual donations. The 25-year-old organization has expanded its mission to provide assistance to those who have served the music industry and who have a confirmable need. This assistance is provided in a manner that maintains the dignity of those who may receive financial help. Many former music industry employees worked during a time when 401K’s and retirement packages were not available—and even today, in this era of downsizing and mergers, the uncertainty of career stability within the industry has grown. Proceeds from the event will enable the LLF to continue to aid those in need.
For additional information on the Living Legends Foundation, please visit www.livinglegendsfoundation.com.
source:
Gwendolyn Quinn
Gwendolyn Quinn Public Relations
[email protected]