ESSENCE’s Third Annual “Black Women In Music Celebration” Honoring Sylvia Rhone and Kelly Rowland

Grammy week just can’t get any better! Last night (Feb. 8), former Universal Motown Chief Sylvia Rhone and Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Rowland, where recognized for their career accomplishments. The Essence’s 2012 ‘Black Women In Music’ event was held at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Essence honored Sylvia Rhone, various artists created a video montage about her career, including a special message of congratulations form Missy Elliott. During her speech, Rhone paid tribute to the late Don Cornelius. She ended her speech by saying “Transition is an invitation to use all of our talents in life.” Rhone left her role as President of Universal Motown in May 2011.

During the event, Kelly Rowland performed a short set of songs- including one with special guest Eve, right before accepting her award. Capping off the presentation, songwriter/producer Rico Love, who co-collaborated with Rowland’s hit “Motivation” presented her with a plaque representing 1 million hit sales of the single. Rowland ended by saying “Black women refer it as the bible. It’s a blessing that I’m being given this award; I’m forever grateful.” –in reference to Essence.

What an astonishing accomplishment for the both of them. Salute to Sylvia Rhone and Kelly Rowland; trailblazing women in this industry! I strive to be a recipient of the ‘Black Women In Music’ award one day!

Billboard.biz also reported some of the attendees spotted in the Essence “Black Women In Music” Celebration was Universal Republic's Monte Lipman and SRC's Steve Rifkin, Epic Records/"X-Factor" judge L.A. Reid, Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), Ne-Yo, Cash Money principal Slim Williams, producer/Epic exec Tricky Stewart, music and sports PR guru Patti Webster, BET's Stephen Hill, recently appointed Motown VP of A&R Rex Rideout, choreographer Fatima Robinson, actress Holly Robinson Peete, Interscope urban publicity head Yvette Gayle, former Motown executive Suzanne de Passe, ASCAP's Jay Sloan, BMI's Catherine Brewton and Essence's editor-in-chief Constance C.R. White, president Michelle Ebanks and entertainment director Cori Murray.



http://www.essence.com
http://www.billboard.biz