How two brothers from Cash Money are empowering people to be their best

“The platforms for people who have something to say.” So noted Charlamagne Tha God while accepting the Living Legends Foundation’s Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award. The co-host of WWPR (Power New York’s syndicated show The Breakfast Club, multimedia entrepreneur and best-selling author was the first of eight honorees saluted at the foundation’s th anniversary awards gala, held Friday evening (Oct. at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.

At the ceremony, Charlamagne implored the audience to “ask yourself every day who have you helped or empowered to help people be the best versions of themselves.” This sentiment echoed throughout the three-hour event that saw Cash Money Records co-founders/co-CEOs Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Before the presentation, producer Polow da Don paid homage to the brothers: “They represent and give voice to people in the trenches.

I would like to thank my mentors, including Jean Riggins, for their support in helping me get where I am today. Without their guidance, I would not be the success that I am. Sharon Heyward’s career is an inspiration to all of us and I am grateful to have her as a role model.

The Solutionist LLC owner and operator Sharon Heyward was presented with the Legacy Award by longtime industry colleagues and friends David C. Linton and Ray Harris, LLF’s president and chairman emeritus respectively.

“I’m a hard-nosed, straight-no-chaser girl,” said a visibly emotional Heyward as she accepted the evening’s last award. “One of the biggest legacies of my career are the mentees and others telling me how much I’ve helped in their careers.”

She also took naysayers to task for dismissing the industry’s older generations, saying “age is just a number.

“That shows a lack of respect for the legacy that’s been given to you,” she added. “We need to have respect for each other; to reach back and bring forward.” Joined onstage by her daughter Monique, who also works in the music industry, Heyward played snippets of the Impressions’ hits “Keep on Pushing” and “I’m So Proud” before concluding, “The record business is no joke for women. I didn’t want my daughter Monique in this but I’m so proud of her…and to the audience thank you for letting me be a mentor to some of you.

The Digital Executive Award goes to Tuma Basa, director of Black music & culture at YouTube. The Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award goes to Johnnie Walker, first female senior vice president of promotion at Def Jam Recordings and now founder and CEO of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment Inc. (NABFEME). The Founders Award goes to Henry “Hank” Caldwell, veteran industry executive and founding partner/president & CEO of -hour streaming network HBCUGO TV.

The moral

In conclusion, it is clear that women in the music industry still have a long way to go in terms of achieving equality with their male counterparts. However, with the support of strong mentors and role models, future generations of women in the industry will have a better chance at success. Thank you for letting me be a part of this discussion and I hope that we can continue to work together to achieve equality in the music industry.