Celebrating “the Black women preserving and protecting the music industry,” Chaka Khan and Kelly Rowland are among the women honored during the second annual Black Women in Music dinner in Los Angeles.
About the confab, the 73-year old Khan said “I don’t know how long we’ve been trying to pull it together, but I think that Black women finally found the beauty within ourselves and each other.” “I feel so overwhelmed right now, this evening, with high spirit.”
Presented with her award Rowland’s by Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother stated “Kelly, you are a rare gem. You’re a superstar in every sense of the word, and you are also the best wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter anyone can ask for.”
The 2026 year’s honoree list also included choreographer Fatima Robinson, music executive Natina Nimene, Billboard’s Gail Mitchell and Gender Amplified’s Ebonie Smith.
In a statement about the night’s celebration, executive VP at BET and producer, Connie Orlando noted:
“This gathering is the living answer to a prayer.” “We are here to support one another, protect our presence, and build a legacy of love that lights the way for the girls coming behind us.””As Black women, we are constantly asked to labour and be the backbone, often while our own wellbeing is ignored. We live in a climate that tries to minimise our power and rewrite our truth.”
Hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson, fellow musicians Chanté Moore and David Michael Wyatt and violinist Yuli performed at the event.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Lunchbox LP