* The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) transformed The Beverly Hilton into an epicenter of power, purpose, and celebration last Thursday for its fifth annual BMAC Gala. The milestone event, co-hosted by Grammy-nominated country trailblazer Mickey Guyton and cultural curator Kenny Burns, brought together the music industry’s most influential figures to honor those leveraging their platforms for tangible change.
Under the glittering chandeliers, the gala served as both a celebration of progress and a rallying cry for the work ahead, honoring artists, executives, and brands dedicated to advancing equity. EURweb was on the red carpet to capture exclusive moments from an evening where social impact shared the spotlight with star power.
A Night of Prestigious Honors
The 2025 honoree list read like a who’s who of cultural architects. The evening’s top honor, the BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award, was presented to John Legend for his sustained commitment to social justice. The BMAC Icon Award was bestowed upon legendary executive Irving Azoff, recognizing his immense influence.
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In a significant moment, Sherrese Clarke, Founder & CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners, received the inaugural BMAC Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award. The BMAC Social Impact Award was jointly given to streamer and influencer Kai Cenat and Apple & Apple Music, while Primary Wave Music was honored with the BMAC 365 Award for its year-round advocacy.
John Legend on Legacy and Lifting Others
In an exclusive red-carpet interview with EURweb’s Kenny Pettis, John Legend reflected on the responsibility that comes with a platform. When asked how he carries forward Quincy Jones’s legacy of using music to bridge communities, Legend pointed to another icon.
“Well, you know, Prince’s middle name was Delight. And I think he brought a lot of joy and delight to a lot of people. But he also knew that he had a lot of power to bring artists together,” Legend stated. “Using music as a force for good, to lift people up… I think as artists, we can look at his example as an inspiration for all of us to appreciate the platform that we have and to use it for good.”
A Global Mission: Protecting Artistic Legacy
BMAC co-founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers outlined an ambitious vision for the coalition’s future, emphasizing global expansion and intellectual property protection. He expressed a critical concern for the rising global popularity of Afrobeats and Afropop.
“Our fear is that if we do not get in front of that and make sure that the management, the aspiring managers that’s on the come up, the artists that’s on the come up, if they don’t have the tools and the knowledge to protect the IP, the same thing that happened to jazz, the same thing that happened to blues… the cultural extraction of our creativity without us reaping the benefits,” Stiggers told EURweb. He announced plans to expand BMAC’s pipeline programs to the U.K. and across the African continent.
Voices from the Industry: Music as a Catalyst
The sentiment that music is a powerful engine for change was echoed throughout the night. Singer Eric Benet offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging challenges while celebrating a resurgence of authenticity. “I’m beginning to see more of the organic-ness and authentic, super-talented young people in R&B. I’m beginning to hear more live musicianship,” Benet noted, expressing hope for a return to conscious artistry.
Sierra Lever, Head of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Afrobeats at Amazon Music, highlighted the artist’s role as the voice of the people. “It’s important to listen to what artists are seeing because oftentimes they’re the voice of the people,” Lever said. “You have to listen to what their pain might be, what the struggles are, and then how do you take action?”
Investing in Culture: The Finance of Change
Honoree Sherrese Clarke articulated how her work in private equity is a direct form of activism. “Every day, we get the opportunity to be stewards of both capital and stewards of culture,” Clarke explained. She announced a new investment in a company called Soft Shock, championing the idea of “allowing artists and their voices to be heard, to come to fruition, to use their voices as they intend them to be used.”
Five Years of Measurable Impact
The gala marked half a decade of BMAC’s relentless advocacy. Since its founding shortly after Juneteenth 2020, the coalition has made staggering tangible contributions: distributing over $4 million in direct economic relief, reaching more than 5,500 students, and mentoring over 500 emerging professionals. Furthermore, BMAC has created over 200 paid internships and job placements, cementing its role not just as a talking shop, but as a driver of real economic opportunity and systemic change within the music industry.
The 2025 BMAC Gala proved that the fight for equity has a soundtrack—and it’s being composed by a coalition of leaders who understand that culture and justice are inextricably linked.
For more info about BMAC, click here: www.bmacoalition.org.
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