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Chaka Khan, Kelly Rowland Set for Black Women in Music Honors — Melanin News | Melanin
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Chaka Khan, Kelly Rowland Set for Black Women in Music HonorsCulture

Chaka Khan, Kelly Rowland Set for Black Women in Music Honors

1w ago

Los Angeles is preparing to host a powerful gathering as the Connie Orlando Foundation announces its second annual Black Women in Music Dinner. Set for June 12, 2026, at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, this event aims to shine a bright light on the transformative contributions of Black women across the music industry.

This year’s dinner follows a successful inaugural event held on June 3, 2025, at the same Los Angeles venue. The upcoming ceremony will honor six remarkable women whose work has been foundational to Black excellence in entertainment. Legendary artist Chaka Khan, whose career spans funk, soul, R&B, and pop, is slated to receive the prestigious Vanguard Award. This recognition adds to a significant year for Khan, who also earned a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in February 2026. Kelly Rowland, celebrated for her journey from a chart-topping group to a successful solo career and media personality, will be presented with the Velvet Guard Award, acknowledging her unique cultural footprint and artistry woven into the fabric of culture.

Image related to Chaka Khan, Kelly Rowland Set for Black Women in Music Honors
Related image from the original report Source

Beyond these celebrated artists, the event will also recognize key behind-the-scenes figures. Award-winning choreographer and director Fatima Robinson is set to receive the Guardian of Vision Award for her impact on music’s visual landscape, having crafted iconic imagery for artists like Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. Music executive Natina Nimene, veteran music journalist and Billboard editor-at-large Gail Mitchell, and multi-talented producer, engineer, musician, and A&R executive Ebonie Smith will also be honored. Comedian Zainab Johnson is scheduled to host the evening.

Connie Orlando, the founder of The Connie Orlando Foundation, spoke passionately about the honorees, sharing on Instagram, "Each of these women represents something profound, not just in music, but in the way they've carried themselves, led others, and left this industry better than they found it. I am so honored to celebrate them." Orlando also highlighted the event’s origins, noting it stemmed from "a simple idea: to shine a light on the women who are the lifeblood of music and global culture, and to create a space where they can celebrate themselves on their own terms." She emphasized the foundation's commitment to returning "to honor this year's women while continuing to raise awareness for breast cancer and invest in the health and well-being of the community."

The inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner in 2025 saw Ciara receive the Avant-Garde Award for her influential role in music and popular culture. Reflecting on the honor, Ciara stated, "Receiving the avant-garde award is so special because it perfectly captures how I've learned to move throughout the world. Dare to create even when it hasn't been done before. Fiercely pursue the art we love even when it doesn't always love us back." Other honorees at the first dinner included stylist and creative director June Ambrose, music executives Phylicia Fant and Sylvia Rhone, DJ Kiss, and photographer Flo Ngala. The event drew a notable attendance, with figures such as Muni Long, Mona Scott Young, Tai Beauchamp, Candis Grace, and Claudine Joseph present.

Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland Source

More than just an awards ceremony, the Black Women in Music Dinner serves a crucial dual purpose. It acts as the foundation's annual fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, research, and patient care. This cause is particularly vital given that Black women face higher mortality rates and more aggressive forms of breast cancer. The event is dedicated to providing education, resources, and support for prevention, research, and care initiatives.

The broader significance of the dinner lies in its role as a "celebration of excellence, a testament to the trailblazers who have paved the way." Reports underscore that the gathering brings together "transformative figures in the music industry for an evening dedicated to honoring those who have shaped, protected, and amplified the sounds of a generation." Connie Orlando further articulated, "Black women in music continue to be a transcendent and driving force of creative expression, shaping the musical landscape and enriching diverse cultures worldwide. Their contributions are not just transformative; they are the heartbeat of innovation and culture." She added that the partnerships supporting the event are "intended to build something that goes beyond one night, centered on visibility, ownership and making sure Black women in music are seen, supported and sustained at every level."

The event is strongly supported by HarbourView Equity Partners as a founding partner, with additional backing from Amazon Music, BET Media Group, Jesse Collins Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and OWN. Sherrese Clarke, founder of HarbourView Equity Partners, commented that her firm "centers artistry and audiences as the core of global culture," and that "women bring a perspective that gives audiences the beauty and artistry they want while proving these creators deserve more than a seat at the table." The dinner is executive produced by The Connie Orlando Foundation and features an all-Black women-led creative and production team, reinforcing the commitment to leadership and representation both in front of and behind the scenes. This initiative is a "love letter to the Black women shaping the music industry, in front of the mic and behind the scenes," fostering a space for celebration, reflection, and honoring those who have consistently championed Black women in music and global culture.