Top Row (L-R): Lee Daniels, Patti LaBelle, Michelle Ballantyne, and Willie “Prophet” Stiggers; Dr. Mahlia Hines and Common. Bottom Row (L-R): Flavor Flav and Chuck D; Willie “Prophet” Stiggers and BMAC Board Members. Photos (Credit: Bryceden Jones for BMAC)
The Black Music Action Coalition held its sixth annual gala Sept. 24 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, bringing together major names from music, entertainment and social justice.
The 2026 BMAC Gala honored Nicole Wyskoarko, Common, Patti LaBelle, Public Enemy, Tina Davis and members of The Team. Universal Music Group’s Global Impact Team also received the BMAC 365 Award.
BMAC honors major music figures
Nicole Wyskoarko received the Sylvia Rhone Visionary Award. Common received the Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award. Patti LaBelle received the Icon Award.
Public Enemy earned the Social Impact Award, while Tina Davis received the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award. Kevin Shivers, Lee Anderson, Mallory Smith and Marty Diamond of The Team received the Founders Award.
The gala also recognized Arielle Vavasseur, Dylan Siegler, Kristin Jones, Markie Ruzzo, Sharlotte Ritchie and Susan Mazo of UMG’s Global Impact Team with the BMAC 365 Award.
Several surprise presenters joined the ceremony. Dr. Mahlia Hines presented Common’s award, while Lee Daniels presented LaBelle’s honor. Big Daddy Kane presented Public Enemy, and Sylvia Rhone presented Wyskoarko. Montell Jordan presented Davis, while Jamea Kollie presented The Team.
Music and community take center stage
The evening also featured performances and tributes. Chanté Moore and Le’Andria Johnson paid tribute to LaBelle with songs from her catalog. MAJOR performed Why I Love You to mark its 10th anniversary.
Big Daddy Kane performed Smooth Operator and Warm It Up. Public Enemy members Flavor Flav and Chuck D also received a standing ovation before leading the crowd in chants tied to Fight the Power.
LaBelle received a commemorative plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America and BMAC. The honor recognized her long career and impact on music.
The gala also highlighted BMAC programs that support artists, young people and communities. Those efforts include Music Maker Grants, Music Accelerator programs, BMAC Live and the BMAC Live R&B Tour Edition.
Families from Altadena affected by the Eaton Fires attended the event as well. BMAC’s Restore & Rebuild LA Program provides those families with monthly financial support and stability assistance.
The gala raised funds for several BMAC initiatives. These include the Guaranteed Income Program, the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program, Music Maker Grants, BMAC Live, BMAC Live R&B Tour Edition and Restore & Rebuild LA.
To learn more, visit: www.bmacoalition.org.
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