Living Legends Foundation marks 35 years with Atlanta gala honoring Black music leaders

The Living Legends Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary Friday in Atlanta with an awards gala that honored executives, broadcasters, entrepreneurs and advocates across Black music and entertainment. The event spotlighted legacy, leadership and the next generation of industry talent while recognizing BET President Louis Carr, Phylicia Fant, Greg Street and other honorees.

Why it matters: - The Living Legends Foundation’s 35th anniversary underscores how much Black music depends on the executives, broadcasters and behind-the-scenes leaders who build careers and companies. - The gala also highlighted a broader mission: preserve industry history, support current professionals and invest in future leaders.

What happened: - The Living Legends Foundation held its 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Gala Friday evening at Flourish by Legendary in Atlanta. - Leaders from music, entertainment, radio and media gathered for the event. - Chaka Khan served as Honorary Ambassador, and Q Parker served as Honorary Gala Chair. - Chairman David Linton said the milestone marked 35 uninterrupted years of service to the industry.

The details: - Louis Carr, president of BET, received the Ray Harris Lifetime Achievement Award. - Carr is also marking 40 years at BET. - Actress Porscha Coleman delivered a message celebrating Carr’s leadership and his impact on Black talent and storytellers. - Ray Harris presented Carr with the award. - Phylicia Fant, Global Director Black Music & Culture at Amazon Music, received the Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award. - Q. Parker presented Fant’s award. - The Black Promoters Collective received the A.D. Washington Chairman’s Award. - David C. Linton presented that award. - Greg Street received the Frankie Crocker Radio Personality Award. - Charita Brittenum presented the award. - Kenny Smoov received the Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award. - Colleen Wilson presented the award. - Juliette Jones, COO of Alamo Records, received the Impact Player Award. - LLF President Azim Rashid presented the award. - Tim Reid, former SVP of Repertoire & Marketing at BMG Recorded Music, received the Music Executive Award. - Tim Reid Sr. presented the award to his father. - Ted Lucas, founder and CEO of Slip-N-Slide Records, received the Hip-Hop Visionary Award. - Ric Ross presented the award. - Ralph McDaniels, creator of Video Music Box, received the Entrepreneur Award. - Skip Dillard presented the award. - James McMillan, Esq., CEO of ART@WAR Entertainment, received the Kendall Minter Entertainment Advocate Award. - Kedar Massenburg presented the award. - The Foundation said the honorees reflected its mission to celebrate executives, entrepreneurs, broadcasters and advocates shaping Black music and entertainment. - Guests included Jacob Latimore, Donell Jones, Porscha Coleman, Johnell Young, Nicci Gilbert, Jessica Woo, Ragan Whiteside, Tim Reid Sr., Daphne Maxwell Reid, Polow Da Don, Shannon Brown, Paul Anthony of Full Force, Stephen “S Dot” Gree, Pat “Sleepy” Brown, Ray Murray of Organized Noize Production, Michael Mauldin, Ray Daniels, Ron “Tricky” Montgomery, ONE Musicfest founder Jason “J.” Carter, Maurice “Moetown” Lee and Steve Canal. - Radio and media attendees included Steve Hegwood, Monica Barnes, Gary Wit Da Tea, Jamal Ahmad, Rick Caffey, Reggie Rouse, Francesca Amiker, Tori Starr and Skye Butterfli. - Corporate partners and supporters included Alamo Records, Amazon Music, Universal Music Group, Anchor Promotions, BET, Black Promoters Collective, BMG, Fire Marshall Entertainment, Mauldin Brand, Vernon Brown/Cash Money, V-103, Warner Music Group, WCLK Radio, Republic Records, CineFi and HarbourView Equity Partners. - The organization directed coverage and interview inquiries to Tosha Whitten at Tosha@FrontPageFirm.com and Jalila Larsuel at jlmediapr@gmail.com. - More information is available at LivingLegendsFoundation.com.

Between the lines: - The speeches framed Black music history as something that still needs protection, not just celebration. - Carr warned against erasing Black contributions and said BET would not exist as it does without Black music. - Fant defined legacy as helping other people succeed, not just achieving personal milestones. - McMillan argued that culture needs an ecosystem that supports the people building the business behind the music.

What's next: - The Foundation will continue using its platform to honor industry veterans and elevate newer leaders. - The organization’s anniversary message signals an ongoing push to connect legacy recognition with future industry development.

The bottom line: - The Living Legends Foundation turned its 35th anniversary into a reminder that Black music’s influence comes from both the stars on stage and the builders behind them.