The Living Legends Foundation’s 2026 honorees gathered in Atlanta for a milestone celebration marking 35 years of honoring the executives, innovators and cultural architects behind Black music and entertainment. Pictured (L–R): Walt Reeder Jr., Janice Cotton, Troy Brown, Louis Carr, Kenny Smoov, James McMillan, Esq., Phylicia Fant, Tim Reid, Juliette Jones, Ted Lucas, Greg Street, Ralph McDaniels, Gary Guidry, Shahida Mausi and Shelby Joyner. Representing leadership across live entertainment, radio, recorded music, advocacy, entrepreneurship and media, the 2026 class reflected the breadth of influence and legacy the Foundation has championed for more than three decades. The 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Gala was held October 2, 2026, in Atlanta.
Photo Credit: Eclipse Content /Arnold Turner & John Washington 4 LLF (Courtesy of LLF/FrontPageFirm/JL Media PR)
There are some nights in the music and entertainment industry that remind you why preserving our history matters. The 2026 Living Legends Foundation, Inc. 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Gala, held October 6 in Atlanta, was one of those nights.
For 35 years, the Living Legends Foundation has recognized the executives, artists and industry professionals whose work has helped build and sustain Black music and entertainment This year’s celebration was not simply about receiving an award. It was about legacy, leadership, responsibility and opening doors for the next generation.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when Louis Carr, who is celebrating 40 years at BET, accepted the Ray Harris Lifetime Achievement Award. Carr reflected on the responsibility that comes with being a Black executive and the importance of preserving the history of those who helped build the industry.
“The work that the Living Legends Foundation is doing is more important today than it has ever been,” Carr said. “As people try to erase our history, try to change our journey and try to erase our contributions, it is more important today than ever.”
Phylicia Fant, recipient of the Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award, delivered another memorable message about the meaning of success and legacy. Fant reminded the audience that true success is not simply about what we accomplish for ourselves, but about who is able to move forward because we were there.
“Success is about who gets somewhere because you were here,” she said. “Who did you help? Who did you advocate for when they weren’t in the room? What door did you open or hold for someone else?”
James McMillan, Esq., CEO of ART@WAR Entertainment and recipient of the Kendall Minter Entertainment Advocate Award, emphasized the importance of developing the next generation of executives as intentionally as the industry develops artists.
I am reminded that legacy is an action word. It is about telling our stories, protecting our history, mentoring those coming behind us and making sure the doors that were opened for us remain open for the next generation.
The Living Legends Foundation continues to remind us that our music is our history, our leaders are part of our legacy, and our stories must be preserved.
Stay Inspired!
Lin. Woods
Instagram @linwoods96