Happenings

Published on October 14th, 2024 | by Crystal Willis

0

2024 Living Legends Foundation Gala Shines with Celebrity Guests

The Living Legends Foundation Gala was a star-studded success, featuring celebrities like Sugar Ray Leonard, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Johnny Gill while honoring industry icons Harvey Mason Jr., Donnie Simpson, and more.

The Living Legends Foundation, Inc. (LLF) held its annual awards dinner and gala on Friday, October 4. The event was completely sold out and was graced by prominent personalities from the music, entertainment, film, television, and sports sectors. Notable attendees included Sugar Ray Leonard, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ray Parker Jr., Chanté Moore, David E. Talbert, Inas X, Amina Buddafly Pankey, Tanya Nolan, Elijah Blake, Dixson, Chaz Shepherd, Jamal Morton, Jasmine Sanders, Stephen G. Hill, Sylvia Rhone, Jerome Benton, and more. The gala took place at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, California. Esteemed radio personality Skip Cheatham of MAJIC 94.5 in Dallas, Texas, presided as host, while DJ Battlecat provided entertainment. Tracey J. Jordan and Lionel Ridenour, former Living Legends honorees, assumed the roles of this year’s dinner chairpersons.

“The room was filled with legends from celebrities to executives,” says David C. Linton, chairman of the Living Legends Foundation. “On behalf of our board of directors, it’s an honor to bring together the music and entertainment industries for an important cause benefiting the executives that have poured so much into the industry and more importantly the culture. Congratulations to this year’s honorees. Thank you for making us proud.”

2024 Living Legends Foundation Award Honorees

Donnie Simpson, legendary radio and television broadcaster was the recipient of the Jerry Boulding’s Radio Award. The award was presented by Skip Dillard, LLF board member and brand manager/format vice president of WXBK-FM Audacy New York, and Stephen Hill, executive vice president of Creative at MRC Live & Alternative. Beaming with joy during his acceptance speech, Simpson acknowledged a host of people including his family, guests, and friends. He also shared how he got his start in radio.

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of The Recording Academy® and MusiCares® was presented with the Living Legends Foundation A.D. Washington’s Chairman Award, by David C. Linton, the organization’s chairman, who commended Mason for his leadership and the overall growth and success of The Recording Academy.

Ed Eckstine, filmmaker and television producer, and former label president and music executive was the recipient of the Ray Harris Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Ray Harris, LLF Chairman Emeritus, and Vanessa Williams, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-nominated actor and recording artist. Williams sent a video message from London. She is currently starring in the musical The Devil Wears Prada on London’s West End. Eckstine was one of the key music executives responsible for breaking her recording career.

L. Londell McMillan, a longtime entertainment attorney, an entrepreneur, an advocate for music and entertainment creators and executives, and the chairperson of the NorthStar Group is the recipient of the Kendall A. Minter Entertainment Advocate award, renamed after Minter’s recent passing. Dr. Denise J. Brown, LLF general counsel presented his award.

Gwen Franklin, founder and CEO of B. Lifted Up! Inc. is also the host of the radio program, Your Guide To Living An Abundant Life on B. Lifted Up! Radio, in collaboration with the Mocha Podcasts Network. She is the recipient of the Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award, presented by Sheila Eldridge, LLF board member and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment.

Joi Brown is the founder and CEO of Culture Creators and a former senior-level record label executive. She was presented with the first-ever Impact Player Award, presented by Shannon A. Henderson, LLF board member and director of marketing and community engagement at HBCUGO.tv.

Mike Kelly is a veteran record label executive and a radio broadcaster. He currently works as a radio consultant with his company, Real One 24/7 Promotion and Marketing. He is the recipient of the Music Executive Award, which was presented by Azim Rashid, LLF president and the chief marketing strategist for The Alchemy Group LLC, along with legendary program director Melvin “Cookin’’’ Jones and Kelly’s daughter Kiona Lewis.

Chris Chambers is the founder and CEO of The Chamber Group and a former record label executive. Chambers was not able to attend the award ceremony to accept the Media Executive Award. In his absence, Vivian Scott Chew, LLF board member and partner at Chew Entertainment accepted his award and read part of his acceptance letter.

ABOUT THE LIVING LEGENDS FOUNDATION

The Living Legends Foundation, LLC, was founded in 1991 and incorporated in 1992. It is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization funded primarily with corporate contributions and individual donations. The organization’s mission has expanded to assist individuals who have served the music industry and have a confirmed need. This assistance is provided to maintain the dignity of those who may receive financial help. Many former music industry employees worked when 401Ks and retirement packages were not available. Even today, in this era of downsizing and mergers, the uncertainty of career stability within the industry has grown. For more information, visit www.livinglegendsfoundation.com.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


About the Author

Crystal Willis is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Entertainment Publicist and CEO of The Omni Firm. She is also a Transformational Life Coach and Founder of The Crysalis. Her personal story has been seen by millions of people on media outlets like Marie Claire Magazine, PBS, Blaze TV, Daily Signal and more.


Comments are closed.

Back to Top ↑