On Thursday, September 18, the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) marked five years of advocacy, accountability, and measurable impact with the 2025 BMAC Gala at The Beverly Hilton. The event, co-hosted by Grammy-nominated country star Mickey Guyton and cultural curator Kenny Burns, brought together artists, executives, activists, and brands who are using their platforms to advance equity and drive lasting change.
The gala’s honorees reflected the diverse influence of leaders across music and culture:
- BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award: John Legend
- BMAC Icon Award: Irving Azoff
- Inaugural BMAC Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award: Sherrese Clarke / HarbourView Equity Partners
- BMAC Social Impact Award: Kai Cenat and Apple & Apple Music
- BMAC 365 Award: Primary Wave Music
Guests were treated to a night of unforgettable moments. Mickey Guyton opened the evening with a moving performance of “Black Like Me.” Earth, Wind & Fire delivered a surprise set honoring Irving Azoff, lifting the entire room with their classics “Just Groove” and “September.”
Star-studded appearances included Babyface presenting to John Legend, CeeLo Green honoring Primary Wave Music, Amina Diop celebrating Kai Cenat, Kamilah Forbes acknowledging Sherrese Clarke, and Nicole Avant paying tribute to Irving Azoff. The evening also featured a powerful recognition of Michelle West, a clemency recipient and criminal justice reform advocate.
John Legend’s acceptance speech earned a standing ovation. He urged the audience to, “Use your voice, use your platform, use your influence to fiercely protect those who are being brave, to shield the truth tellers facing retribution, to make space for more of us because the fight is as urgent as it’s ever been. Excellence is beautiful, it’s important, but freedom is more important.”
BMAC CEO and Co-Founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers reflected on the organization’s journey: “Tonight as we honor those who have used their platforms to drive real social change, let us recognize this truth, that BMAC is no longer just an organization. We are in fact the movement rooted in accountability and action, an unwavering belief that the future of music must be as just and as free and as powerful as the music itself.”
The Los Angeles celebration also highlighted BMAC’s recent initiatives, including a $500,000 direct relief fund for families affected by the Altadena fires and new global expansion plans beginning in the UK and Africa in 2026.
Since its founding shortly after Juneteenth 2020, BMAC has distributed over $4 million in direct economic relief, reached more than 5,500 students, mentored over 500 emerging artists and professionals, and created more than 200 paid internships and job placements. Its programs have empowered creators through guaranteed income programs, mentorship grants, and collaborations with leaders like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Victoria Monét, the Luther Vandross Foundation, and Gunna.
Produced by the BMAC Board alongside Donna Grecco for Primary Wave Music and Rikki Hughes for Magic Lemonade, and presented by Live Nation, the 2025 gala further cements BMAC as a force for equity in music. Earlier this year, BMAC also renamed its annual Change Agent Award to the BMAC Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award in partnership with the Belafonte Estate, honoring the legacy of one of the world’s greatest activist-artists.
With past honorees including LL COOL J, Usher, H.E.R., Lizzo, The Weeknd, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, BMAC continues to honor those who not only shape culture but also push the industry toward a more equitable future.
For more information about the Black Music Action Coalition, visit bmacoalition.org/impact-reports
