Musician Ciara, creative director June Ambrose and music executives Phylicia Fant and Sylvia Rhone are all set to be honored for their contributions to music as part of the inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner.
Set for June 3, the dinner is presented by The Connie Orlando Foundation as an event dedicated to honoring Black women who are protecting and preserving the music industry. The dinner will also focus on celebrating those who have “shaped popular culture.”
The event will simultaneously serve as a fundraiser to raise awareness of breast cancer. Through raising funds and drawing attention to the illness, the Connie Orlando Foundation will be providing women with the resources and knowledge needed to improve health outcomes for Black women.
“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,” said Connie Orlando in a statement. “It is an immense honor to celebrate the trailblazing careers of Ciara, June Ambrose, Phylicia Fant, Sylvia Rhone, DJ Kiss, and Flo Ngala at our inaugural event.”
Although more details have yet to be announced, the awards set to be handed out have been reported. Set to receive the Vanguard Award, Rhone is the chair and CEO of Epic Records. In 1994, she broke barriers when she became the chairwoman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group, becoming the only Black woman and first woman in the history of the music industry to earn the title.
Alongside Rhone, Ciara will receive the Avant-Garde Award. With hits such as “1, 2 Step” and guest appearances on tracks such as Missy Ellior’s “Lose Control,” Ciara has had multiple number one hits and Billboard charting songs. Her debut album, “Goodies,” is certified quadruple platinum and, throughout her career, she has been nominated for 132 awards, including Grammy awards for “Best New Artist” and “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.”
Meanwhile, Ambrose and Fant will be recipients of the Guardian of Vision Award and the New Guard Award, respectively. Ambrose, who worked alongside artists such as Missy Elliot and Jay-Z as a costume designer and creative director, became globally recognized for styling hip hop and R&B artists with high-fashion pieces. She currently works as the creative director for women’s basketball at Puma, becoming the first woman to release a women’s basketball clothing line by the company.
Fant, meanwhile, is currently the head of music industry partnerships at Amazon Music.
Also set to be honored at the event, influencer DJ Kiss and photojournalist Flo Ngala will be given the Guardian Angel Spotlights award, highlighting voices who serve as guides in the music industry and who have an impact on artistic and commercial success.
