Lizzo has been named the recipient of the 2023 Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award. According to a press release, the 35-year-old is being recognized for her philanthropic work and commitment to social justice.
The “Good As Hell” singer’s work includes having raised and donated over half a million dollars to organizations including Black Girls Smile, Save Our Sisters, The Bail Project, Reform Alliance, and a $1 million donation to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds.
Past recipients of this award include Lil Baby, The Weeknd, and H.E.R.
Sylvia Rhone at Billboard Women In Music held at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images
The BMAC also revealed Sylvia Rhone will be honored with the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award – named after the late Clarence Avant. Rhone has served as chairwoman and CEO of Epic Records since 2019 and was the first woman to be named CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company.
Past recipients of this award include Jon “Big Jon” Platt and Ethiopia Habtemariam.
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman on February 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“The Black Music Action Coalition is proud to honor Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s Gala, as they join a group of trailblazers who have made immense impact within the music industry and beyond,” expressed BMAC Co-Founder/Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers.
“We applaud their dedication to pushing boundaries, amplifying Black voices, and crashing through those glass ceilings creating space for Black Women.”
Jermaine Dupri attends TIME Honoring The March: An Impact Family Dinner at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights on August 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TIME
Previously announced honorees set to be recognized at the 2023 BMAC Gala include Jermaine Dupri, also earning the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer award, co-founder and CEO of Lava for Good and Lava Media Jason Flom, and rapper and activist Trae tha Truth, who will receive the BMAC Change Agent Award.
The 2023 BMAC festivities are scheduled to kick off on Sept. 17 with BMAC x The Revels Group’s annual BLACK: Future. Now. Brunch. The week continues with the Save The Music Foundation, as well as 1500 Sound Academy hosting “Remixing the Industry: Creating Pathways for Students of Color.”
The annual gala will be hosted Kenny Burns.
