Industry Pioneer Sylvia Rhone, Ciara & More Honored at Inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner

Epic Records chairwoman/CEO Sylvia Rhone being presented with the Vanguard Award was one of several highlights that took place during the inaugural Black Women in Music dinner, held Tuesday evening (June 3) at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles.

The Black Music Month fete also honored Grammy-winning artist Ciara, music executive Phylicia Fant, creative director/costume designer June Ambrose, media personality DJ Kiss and photographer/photojournalist Florence “FLO” Ngala. Celebrating the global impact of Black women in the music industry, the dinner also served as the first fundraiser for its presenter, The Connie Orlando Foundation, which supports breast cancer prevention, care and research in Black communities.

As the first Black woman CEO of a major record label, Rhone accepted her award from Grammy- and Stellar Award-winning gospel powerhouse Yolanda Adams. In making the presentation to the industry trailblazer — also known as “The Godmother of the Music Industry” — Adams said of Rhone, “You are a beacon of hope and a powerful champion for change.”

Grammy-nominated artist Normani presented the Avant Garde Award to Ciara, saluting the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/entrepreneur as “the blueprint for leveling up.” Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash stepped onstage to honor hip-hop and R&B style pioneer Ambrose with the Guardian of Vision Award. “She taught hip-hop how to wear its crown — and how to do it in a fresh pair of heels,” Nash remarked.

Grammy-winning singer and actress Andra Day, alongside co-presenter/entrepreneur Lori Harvey, paid tribute to veteran music executive Fant (Warner Bros. Records, Columbia Records, Amazon) and her work in music marketing and advocacy for equitable representation. “Phylicia has a deep understanding of how crucial Black artistry is to the future of business, and her work stands as a testament to this,” Day said.

HarborView Equity Partners founder/CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares — also founding partner of Black Women in Music — gave out special Guardian Angel Spotlight awards to aforementioned culture-shapers DJ Kiss and Ngala. Citing Black Women in Music as a “platform to reshape narratives around Black artistry and leadership,” Clarke Soares further commented, “At HarbourView, we believe artists deserve more than just a seat at the table. They deserve ownership of their stories and the freedom to build their own.”

In thanking the audience as well as the evening’s supporters and sponsors, Orlando addressed the call to action needed to fight the breast cancer crisis affecting the Black community. “It is a privilege for me to curate this event to give these extraordinary women their flowers, to shine a light on how vital they’ve been to global culture and to just say, ‘Thank You,’” added Orlando who is also exec. vp/head of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET. 

The inaugural Black Women in Music dinner/fundraiser was hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson with performances by Giveon, Alex Isley and YULI. Hip-hop icon MC Lyte voiced the tribute videos, while DJ Midi Ripperton provided afterparty entertainment. In addition to The Connie Orlando Foundation and founding partner HarbourView Equity Partners, the event’s prestige partners were BET and BET HER; contributing partners included Jesse Collins Entertainment, Flavor Unit, Quality Control, CMG, Epic Records, Atlantic Records, OWN and Universal Music Group.