Los Angeles, CA ? The Black Business Association (BBA), the oldest ethnic business organization in the State of California, will host its Annual ?Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner? on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at the California African American Museum, 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Held in recognition of African American Music Appreciation Month, this years? theme is ?The Business Behind the Music.?
The event takes place on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 @ California African American Museum.
African-American Music Appreciation Month is a commemoration that takes place annually in the United States, throughout the month of June. Originally proclaimed ?Black Music Month? by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979, U.S. presidents have issued proclamations for the celebration under that name until President Barack Obama announced the observance under a new title, African-American Music Appreciation Month.
Special confirmed honorees are Siedah Garrett, a GRAMMY-winning and twice Academy Award nominated singer/songwriter whose contributions to popular culture are unparalleled and Valerie Ervin, President of the Ray Charles Foundation. Ms. Ervin is the guardian angel of the Ray Charles Legacy. Under her leadership, the Ray Charles foundation has donated millions of dollars in grants, making Valerie Ervin one of the most influential legacy estate guardians. She is committed to carrying forward the vision and philanthropic mission set forth by Ray Charles.
Other nominees include, Attorney Virgil Roberts of Bobbitt and Roberts, Debra Lee,Chairman and CEO of BET, Cathy Hughes, Chairperson TV One, and Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder Fast Company Magazine.
In addition, the California African-American Museum is featuring an outstanding exhibition ? ?How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles.? Black music is a vital facet of American life and commerce, it touches all communities, and it demonstrates the enduring impact African Americans have worldwide.
For more information to participate as a sponsor for the Black Music Month event, call the BBA: (323) 291-9334, or email@bba.org or visit the website bbala.org.
About Siedah Garrett
Garrett began her career as a background vocalist when she was just 15 years old. Her experience in the music business, include: the status of one of the most sought-after songwriters in the world, a collaborator and band member of Michael Jackson?s, Siedah is most famous for co-writing The King of Pop?s mega hit ?Man in the Mirror? from his chart-topping 1987 album, ?Bad?.
In addition to Jackson, artists who have recorded on Siedah?s songs include mentor Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson among many others. Film and television productions that have used her music include Lego Batman, Rio, Rio 2, Dreamgirls, The Voice, and Netflix? Fuller House, and the hugely successful Playstation video game Nioh. Outside of her work as a singer and songwriter, Garrett is also an active philanthropist ? using her time, talents and creativity to make a positive difference in her community and throughout the world. An avid knitter, Siedah is currently working on an initiative ? Beanies for Babies ? personally knitting 100 caps for children living with HIV/AIDS and cancer.
About Valerie Ervin
As guardian of the Ray Charles legacy, Valerie Ervin is committed to carrying forward the vision and philanthropic mission set forth by Ray Charles.
Prior to being named President of ?The Ray Charles Foundation?, Valerie Ervin established her tenure with the organization by working closely alongside Ray Charles and his long-time manager/business partner Joe Adams, as Executive Assistant and Vice President of Operations.
In addition to leading the foundation in its grant making initiatives, Valerie also oversees the negotiation of music licensing contracts and manages all the commercial, business, marketing and financial interests from revenues generated by the Ray Charles Foundation.
She has been Executive Producer and recognized on multiple music and media projects, including the Academy Award Winning bio pic, ?Ray? as well as an In Performance at the White House? PBS special honoring Ray Charles, hosted by President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama. In every project, Ms. Ervin endeavors to add value to the Ray Charles brand and has positioned the Foundation as a significant player in the world of American Philanthropy.
Valerie Ervin has received dozens of awards, plaques of recognition and appreciation from the City and County of Los Angeles. Numerous business organizations, entertainers, record companies, secondary and higher learning educational institutions including an Honorary Doctorate degree from Dillard University and other foundations, have all recognized Ms. Ervin for her unrelenting efforts in spearheading the agenda of the Ray Charles Foundation.
About Black Business Association
Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the growth and development of thousands of African American businesses, providing innovative information and service programs to our constituents, advocate for change and adherence to laws and programs, and assisted companies and individuals to move up the ladder of success.
Source: Edna Sims, ESP Public Relations
