This fall, something special is happening in the world of Black music, media, and entertainment. The Living Legends Foundation, Inc. is presenting its prestigious 2025 Annual Awards Dinner and Gala. For the first time in its 34-year history, the celebration will take place outside of its homebase, Los Angeles, in “Hotlanta,” Atlanta, Georgia.
Set for Friday, October 3, 2025, at the elegant Flourish by Legendary, this year’s event promises to be an unforgettable night of recognition, excellence, and Black brilliance. Hosted by Skip Cheatham, Executive Producer and Program Director of the D.L. Hughley Show, the evening will begin with a red carpet and cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the formal awards presentation at 7:30 p.m.
And this year, history is being made. For the first time ever, the Living Legends Foundation, Inc. will honor six extraordinary women, each of them a powerhouse in her field, representing the depth, diversity, and enduring
impact of Black women in music, broadcasting, law, and journalism. Together, these dynamic leaders are not only breaking barriers, but also building legacies that uplift, empower, and inspire.
The 2025 honorees are: Kashon Powell, Vice President of Programming for Radio One, receives the Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award for her unmatched vision and dedication to elevating Black voices in urban radio. Nationally syndicated morning show host DeDe McGuire, known for her wit, wisdom, and connection to the culture, is the first-ever lin of the Frankie Crocker Radio Personality Award. Samantha Selolwane, Head of Promotions at RCA, will be honored with the Music Executive Award for her game changing leadership and role in shaping today’s top-charting artists. St. Louis native Carole Carper will be recognized with the Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award. A history-making Black woman in broadcast news and music, she continues to pave the way for future generations. The iconic journalist Cynthia Horner, publisher of Right On! Digital, receives the Media Icon Award for her decades of chronicling Black excellence and culture through her powerful pen and platform. And trailblazing entertainment attorney Louise West, co-founder of BESLA, will receive the Kendall Minter Entertainment Advocate Award, named in honor of her colleague and fellow pioneer.
This inspiring evening will be a joyful celebration of resilience, innovation, and purpose. These women have not only excelled at their crafts and broken down barriers, but also redefined what leadership looks like in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.
David C. Linton, Chairman of the Living Legends Foundation said, “In this ever-changing industry it’s important to recognize and salute the men and women of color who sit in the corporate suites of the entertainment industry. This year’s honorees represent a cross generational class of those individuals. We are excited to bring this event to Atlanta Ga, which has been a mecca of black culture for decades. It’s the home of the first black owned radio station, WERD, Jack The Rapper, once the biggest black music convention, and of course the home of two of the most culture shifting music companies, LaFace & SoSo Def Records.”
At a time when representation and recognition still matter, the Living Legends Foundation is doing what it does best—honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.
For more details about the Dinner and Gala, please visit livinglegendsfoundation.com or to purchase tickets click here connect with the organization on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
2025 Living Legends Foundation Award Honorees: (Top Row) Kashon Powell, DeDe McGuire, Sam Selolwane, (Bottom Row) Louise West, Cynthia Horner and Carole Carper.