Sylvia Rhone Honored by BMAC; Organization Announces Gala and America250 Celebration
The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is set to honor music industry pioneer Sylvia Rhone at its "Celebration of an Icon" tribute on June 25 in Los Angeles, an invite-only event hosted by Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. This honor precedes Rhone receiving the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards. BMAC will also host its "America250 Celebration: From 1619 to America250" on June 18 in New York City, featuring a fireside chat with Nikole Hannah-Jones and Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. Additionally, the sixth annual BMAC Gala is scheduled for September 24 in Beverly Hills.
Music industry pioneer Sylvia Rhone will be honored by the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) at its upcoming “Celebration of an Icon” tribute. This invite-only event is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on June 25, coinciding with BET Awards Week. BMAC has partnered with Monami Entertainment for the tribute, which will be hosted by artists Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. Rhone, formerly chairwoman/CEO of Epic Records, championed various R&B/hip-hop artists during her career, including En Vogue, Brandy, and MC Lyte. She is also slated to receive the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards on June 28.
BMAC is also marking Black Music Month, the Juneteenth holiday, and the nation’s 250th birthday with its own “America250 Celebration: From 1619 to America250.” This event will feature a fireside chat between Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar and "The 1619 Project" author Nikole Hannah-Jones and BMAC co-founder/president & CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. They will discuss the topic “Redefining Patriotism” at Chelsea Studios in New York City on June 18. The evening will also include special performances from the BMAC x America250 Voices of Tomorrow program, a nationwide youth talent search and music collaboration initiative.
As part of the BMAC x America250 initiative, Grammy-winning producer Adam Blackstone has been commissioned to reinterpret the classic anthem “Optimistic,” originally performed by the Sounds of Blackness. The new version will feature five $10,000 Music Maker Grant recipients from the program—Dani Wright, DJ Stussy, Jastin Martin, RAHBI, and The Reasn—along with several unannounced top artists. The song is anticipated for an early July release.
Looking ahead, the sixth annual BMAC Gala has been scheduled for September 24 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Last year's honorees included John Legend, Irving Azoff, Kai Cenat, Sherrese Clarke, Apple/Apple Music, and Primary Wave Music.
BMAC co-founder and president & CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers commented on the importance of these events, aiming to mobilize the music community to advocate for democracy, accountability, and respect, and to honor those, like Sylvia Rhone, who have significantly contributed to Black music. (Source: Billboard)
