Billboard, the world’s largest voice in music – in partnership with American Express – announced today, Nov. 29th, that Grammy Award winner Solange Knowles will be presented with the inaugural American Express Impact Award during their annual Women in Music ceremonies taking place in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 30.
The notable Women in Music event honors the most powerful female artists and executives in the industry. American Express has a history of celebrating strong women at the event.
Last year the organization presented a short film that spotlighted Billboard Executive of the Year honoree Bozoma Saint John and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.
With the new American Express Impact Award, Billboard is now recognizing a musician who noticeably uses their voice to empower and develop new leaders of tomorrow through their platform and philanthropic efforts to inspire social change.
On Thursday, Billboard and American Express will celebrate Solange whose work has empowered listeners to make their own impact in the world.
From her critically acclaimed album, A Seat at the Table, to performing for President Obama at the White House to giving a keynote speech at Yale University, Solange has invoked themes of identity, empowerment, grief and healing that have resonated with millions of voices that routinely feel silenced or overlooked.
Furthermore, her performance art shows at the Guggenheim Museum, the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, as well as her art installation at London’s Tate Modern museum have all led to a defining year of visual art and activism.
On September 30th 2016, A Seat at The Table debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, Apple Music, and iTunes Overall Top Albums Charts.
The record’s success led to her Orion’s Rise performance series that included 2 sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall as well as shows at Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, the Greek Theatre, and Orpheum Theater.
A portion of the proceeds from one of her Radio City Music Hall performances and all of the proceeds from her Orpheum Theater performance were donated to hurricane relief efforts.
