The Living Legends Foundation has set October 4 as the date for its 2024 awards dinner and gala. The event, also in celebration of the foundation's 33 yearsrd anniversary, will be held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood.
This year's list of industry honorees includes:
Donnie Simpson, Jerry Boulding Radio Award: The legendary radio and television personality retired from the airwaves earlier this year after a 55-year career that began at Detroit's WJLB-FM and included stints in Washington, D.C., outlets WKYS-FM, WPGC-FM and WMMJ-FM. Also known for his long tenure as host of BET's Video SoulSimpson is a member of the Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
L. Lodell McMillan, Kendall A. Minter Entertainment Advocate Award (renamed after the well-known industry attorney who died last year): The McMillan firm's chairman/CEO and veteran entertainment attorney currently co-manages Prince Legacy (one of two holding companies overseeing the estate ). McMillan's list of clients over the years includes Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Under the company's NorthStar Group division, McMillan also serves as its executive publisher Source magazine.
Joey Brown, the inaugural Impact Player Award: Brown is the founder/CEO of Culture Creators, whose eponymous foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships over the past two years, consistent with its mission to be a vital link between the world's cultural leaders and the next generation of diverse creators. Through its annual Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch, Culture Creators has honored industry executives and creatives such as Byron AllenSwizz Beatz, HER and president of Epic Records Sylvia Ron.
Chris Chambers, Media Executive Award: Founder/CEO of The Chamber Group, Chambers has represented star clients in music, entertainment, fashion and sports including Usher, Mariah Carey, OutKast, Drake, Naomi Campbell and Kelly Rowland. His company has also worked with corporate and lifestyle clients, from Versace and HBO to Netflix and the Essence Music festival. Prior to launching The Chamber Group, Chambers served as a publicity executive for labels such as Mercury, Interscope, Arista and LaFace Records.
Mike Kelly, Music Executive Award: A radio broadcaster and record label executive for more than 40 years, Kelly served as PD of legendary St. Louis station KATZ-FM. Louis. He then went on to promote records for various labels including Arista, Motown, Elektra, Warner Music Group and Atlantic. His resume includes work by artists such as Whitney Houston, Missy Elliott, Bruno Mars and Jack Harlow. Kelly currently works as a radio consultant through his company, Real One 24/7 Promotion and Marketing.
Gwen Franklin, Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award: Before her latest venture as founder/CEO of empowerment organization B. Lifted Up! Inc., Franklin held senior management positions in radio promotion, marketing, sales and artist development through stints with Casablanca, A&M, Capitol, Mercury and RCA Records. The list of artists he has worked with includes Quincy Jones, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer and SWV.
In a release announcing the upcoming awards dinner and gala, Living Legends Foundation president David Lyndon he commented in part, “As we reflect on the brilliance and excellence of today's world leaders in music and entertainment, we are pleased that the organization remains the longest-running Black music organization to date, founded in 1991 by Black music executives. And as we approach another milestone year, we'd like to further establish the organization as a key stakeholder in black music, reclaiming our mission to “protect and preserve the legacy of those who create, market and elevate black music,” which includes R&B, hip-hop, jazz, blues, country, reggae and world music.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/living-legends-foundation-2024-awards-honorees-donnie-simpson-1235660306/
