The Living Legends Foundation, LLC will recognize its distinguished honorees for its 2025 Annual Awards Gala on Friday October 3, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. The gala represents a celebration recognizing black pioneers in music, media, and broadcasting. The foundation not only honors industry trailblazers but also supports aspiring students through scholarships funded by gala proceeds.
This year’s honorees include:
- Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis – Ray Harris Lifetime Achievement Award
- James L. Winston (President & CEO, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters [NABOB]) – A.D. Washington Chairman’s Award
- Cynthia Horner (Publisher, Right On! Digital) – Media Icon Award
- Kashon Powell (VP of Programming, iHeart Chicago) – Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award
- DeDe McGuire (Host, DeDe In The Morning) – Frankie Crocker Radio Personality Award
- Zelma Redding (President & Founder, Otis Redding Foundation) – Legacy Award
- Samantha Selolwane (Head of Promotions, RCA Music) – Executive Award
- Carole Carper (Broadcast & Music Industry Executive) – Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award
- Louise West (CEO, West Entertainment Services) – Kendall Minter Entertainment Advocate Award
- Kevin “Coach K” Lee & Pierre “P” Thomas (Quality Control Music) – Impact Award
The evening will be hosted by Skip Cheatham, Executive Producer and Program Director of The D.L. Hughley Show, with a special performance by acclaimed soul-jazz flutist Regan Whiteside. David Linton, Program Director for Jazz 91.9 WCLK FM and Chairman of the Living Legends Foundation, will serve as Dinner and Gala Chairperson.
Founded in 1991, the Living Legends Foundation, never forget the legends who pave the way for black culture. The foundation is dedicated to honoring trailblazers while supporting their needs. According to the foundation’s website, many former music industry employees, for instance, worked in eras without retirement benefits, and the foundation continues to provide assistance to preserve their dignity and stability.
Highlights of the 2024 Living Legends Foundation Gala; Courtesy of The Living Legends Foundation
The organization’s mission is carried out through three core pillars:
- Service – Providing financial assistance and critical resources to industry professionals in a dignified and respectful manner.
- Scholarship – Investing in the future by offering scholarships to students pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
- Legacy Preservation – Celebrating and preserving the legacy of Black executives while fostering intergenerational dialogue between today’s leaders and future trailblazers.
The Living Legends Foundation’s Annual Awards Gala not only shines a light on the achievements of today’s honorees but also reinforces the importance of service, education, and legacy within the entertainment industry. By honoring pioneers while investing in the next generation of talent, the foundation ensures that the contributions of Black cultural leaders are recognized, remembered, and carried forward for years to come.
