Connie Orlando, executive vp of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, has a lot on her plate right now, just two weeks before the annual BET Awards, which she is executive producing. But she still found time to spearhead the second annual Black Women in Music event, which was held on Friday (June 12) at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The event, executive produced by the Connie Orlando Foundation, is billed as “an evening celebrating the Black women preserving and protecting the music industry.” This year’s honorees were singers Chaka Khan and Kelly Rowland, choreographer Fatima Robinson, music executive Natina Nimene, Billboard’s Gail Mitchell and Gender Amplified’s Ebonie Smith.
Speaking from the podium, Orlando shed light on why the Black Women in Music 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. … 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.
“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.”
Singers Chanté Moore and David Michael Wyatt and violinist Yuli performed at the event, which was hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson. The event was brought to life by an all-Black women-led creative and production team, including Perri Camper Rivers (producer), Gabrielle Glore (creative director) and Wright Productions (event design and production).
The event was presented in tandem with founding partner Harbour/View. Additional partners include prestige partner Amazon Music and contributing partners Atlantic, BET Media Group, CMG The Label, Jesse Collins Entertainment, TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment), OWN and Universal Music Group.
Here are five highlights from the 2026 Black Women in Music event.
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