Chaka Khan and Kelly Rowland were honored at the 2026 Black Women in Music Dinner in Los Angeles, California on Friday, June 12.
Kelly Rowland received the Velvet Guard Award, “celebrating her artistry and presence that have become woven into the fabric of culture.” Rowland’s trophy was presented by her mother figure, Tina Knowles, who said, “Kelly, you are a rare gem. You’re a superstar in every sense of the word, and you are also the best wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter anyone can ask for.”
The event was billed as an evening celebrating Black women preserving and protecting the music industry.
Chaka Khan was “overwhelmed” by the honor at the event.
“I don’t know how long we’ve been trying to pull it together, but I think that Black women finally found the beauty within ourselves and each other,” Khan said. “I feel so overwhelmed right now, this evening, with high spirit. You know what I’m talking about?”
Khan received the Vanguard Award, recognizing her lasting legacy and influence in the music industry. The award was presented by Sherrese Clarke, founder and CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners. Khan has won 11 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.
Singer Chanté Moore performed at the event, which was hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson.
Chanté was accompanied by her daughter Sophia Hardison (fathered by Kadeem Hardison) and son Kenny Lattimore Jr.
The event also honored choreographer Fatima Robinson, music executive Natina Nimene, Billboard’s Gail Mitchell and Gender Amplified’s Ebonie Smith.
Executive producer Connie Orlando, of the Connie Orlando Foundation, explained why the event is so important to her.
“This gathering is the living answer to a prayer. We are here to support one another, protect our presence, and build a legacy of love that lights the way for the girls coming behind us,” she said. “As we celebrate unapologetically and stand in our collective joy, we know the reality of our world. As Black women, we are constantly asked to labor and be the backbone, often while our own well-being is ignored. We live in a climate that tries to minimize our power and rewrite our truth. For me, this evening is profoundly personal. Uplifting women, safeguarding our children is my divine assignment and life calling, and the urgency is real.”
Orlando continued: “This evening is my personal love letter to the iconic Black women who are the true guardians of the music industry. Having worked alongside many of you for decades, you are my peers, my muses and my friends, and it is my privilege to curate this evening, give you your flowers, and ensure your contributions to global culture are permanently etched in history.
“And specifically for this evening, we are fighting a battle against breast cancer, a battle that is disproportionately stealing our mothers, our daughters, our sisters and our friends. Black women face alarming healthcare disparities born from systemic inequalities resulting in delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. So, my vision is clear: a world where breast cancer no longer exists. The Orlando Foundation is spiritually committed to education, prevention, and early detection.”
