The Living Legends Foundation, Inc. (LLF) held its annual awards dinner and gala on Friday, October 4.
The sold-out star-studded event included celebrities from music, entertainment, film, television and sports including Sugar Ray Leonard, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ray Parker Jr., David E. Talbert, Chanté Moore, Johnny Gill, Sylvia Rhone, and Jerome Benton (of The Time), who gathered to celebrate this year’s honorees at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, California.
Hosted by radio legend Skip Cheatham of MAJIC 94.5 in Dallas, Texas, with entertainment by DJ Battlecat, this year’s dinner chairpersons are former Living Legends honorees Tracey J. Jordan and Lionel Ridenour.
“The room was filled with legends from celebrities to executives,” says David C. Linton, chairman of the Living Legends Foundation.
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.
In his acceptance speech, Mason said that he hopes to continue to provide opportunities and be an example for others [referring to his work with The Recording Academy]. “I’ve done a lot of cool things [in my career], but I don’t think I’ve done anything better than to be helpful, and to be in service of others.”
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.
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.
Gwen Franklin, founder and CEO of B. Lifted Up! Inc. is also the host of 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.
For additional information on the Living Legends Foundation, please visit the website at livinglegendsfoundation.com.
