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LL Cool J, Usher, And More Honored At 2024 BMAC Gala: Here’s What You Missed

September 24, 2024

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) held its fourth annual gala on Thursday (Sept. 19), honoring Usher, LL Cool J, BET Media Group, Live Nation, and BeyGOOD‘s Ivy McGregor for using their respective platforms to amplify BMAC’s mission to merge artistry and activism.

Ahead of the event, co-founder/President Willie “Prophet” Stiggers shed light on how honorees are chosen each year. “These people have done the work. It’s amplifying what we have witnessed in the world and for most of [their] careers. We recognize the work that they have done and the platforms they’ve used to impact change—beyond just selling records, beyond the headlines, but actually doing things that impact our society systemically,” he told VIBE exclusively.

McGregor described being recognized with the Change Agent Award as a “dream come true.” She shared, “Oddly, this wasn’t a dream I dreamed. I dreamed about doing the work and making an impact for our people.”

LL, who received the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award, spoke on going from Hollis to Hollywood and back again while still being a pioneer 40 years after his debut. “The hero’s journey is a game of circles. It’s about cycles and circles […] I never wanna do something unless it’s really creatively cutting-edge and really inspires me. How inspired are you to do what you doing? Do you really love it or are you pandering? Good is the enemy of great. People settle for good and they never get to the greatness,” he quipped prophetically.

Hosted by Kenny Burns, the evening featured a lineup of surprise presenters including Taraji P. Henson, Attorney Ben Crump, and Bobby Brown. Prior to the award portion, BJ The Chicago Kid sung a special rendition of “Lift Every Voice And Sing” and Anthony Hamilton alongside The Hamiltones gave a riveting tribute to the late Frankie Beverly.

Mayor Michael Tubbs and BMAC surprised Gunna with a special honor from the Mayors of Guaranteed Income. “I’m here to make sure my community is uplifted – this GI program is going to help change a lot of lives,” said the rapper. In partnership with BMAC, he will provide a $1,000 monthly stipend to 30 families residing in South Fulton, GA.

Olympic gold medalists Maggie Steffens and Ashleigh Johnson surprised Flavor Flav with a captain’s flag to show their gratitude for his unwavering support when it comes to women’s sports and Usher bid $30,000 to win James Brown’s iconic sunglasses in an auction to raise funds for BMAC.

One of the best moments was Bobby Brown presenting Usher with his Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award. The two R&B veterans mutually praised one another and within his 15 minute speech, Usher reflected on Brown’s influence on his career and reminded the audience that beyond being a performer and entertainer, “I strive everyday to just be USHER, the human, who has the means and the power to inspire and bring awareness to the issues that we face as Black men and women in this country.”

Check out more highlights from this year’s BMAC Gala below.

(L-R) Jamil Davis, Naima Cochrane, Damien Smith, Co-Founder and Chair of the The Black Music Action Coalition, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Co-Founder of the The Black Music Action Coalition, Shawn Holiday, Co-Founder of the The Black Music Action Coalition, Caron Veazey, and Courtney Stewart 

(L-R) Caron Veazey, Naima Cochrane, Honoree of the BMAC 365 Award, Live Nation, Omar Al-Joulani, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Jamil Davis, and Damien Smith

(L-R) Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Kimberly Paige, Taraji P. Henson, Louis Carr, and Shawn Holiday

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