John Legend Identifies “The President’s Favorite Podcaster” at the Black Music Action Coalition Gala in 2025
“We are living in a time where truth telling comes with consequences,” he said.
A similar cause united musicians, businesspeople, journalists, and activists at the 2025 Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Gala. At the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, hundreds of people came for the organization’s fifth annual event to honor the significant work it has done and to support and empower its future initiatives. Since its founding in 2020, BMAC has reached over 5,500 students, created over 200 paid internships and job placements, provided over $4 million in direct economic help, and mentored over 500 up-and-coming musicians and industry professionals.
“Although many would assume that the efforts and advancements made in 2020 were ineffective, the reality is very different. The impact that was made in 2020 is the reason we are experiencing this kind of federal assault on diversity and inclusion. On the red carpet prior to the event, BMAC cofounder and CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers stated, “This is not the time to back down, but rather to double and triple down on those commitments. The music industry has always challenged this country and the world to live up to its potential, and that’s what inspires us.”
As he continued to relay the organization’s plans to expand its advocacy into international territory, he said, “BMAC might have formed in 2020, but we come from a long tradition of the entertainment industry being able to be a powerful platform to advance these conversations, and over the next five years, we are going to be as committed as we ever been.”
In all its splendor, the 2025 Gala expanded its list of distinguished honorees over its five-year history to include John Legend, Irving Azoff, Sherrese Clarke / HarbourView Equity Partners, Kai Cenat and Apple & Apple Music, and Primary Wave Music. A four-course supper and musical choices by the 1500 Or Nothing musical ensemble opened the evening. The fundraiser event’s host, Mickey Guyton, performed “Black Like Me” after requesting donations, with the biggest public pledge being $10,000.
Following her appearance, she was joined by Kenny Burns, her co-host, who turned the conversation to current affairs by making lighthearted jokes about Jimmy Kimmel being placed on indefinite leave at ABC and playing a quick clip of YG and Nipsey Hussle’s politically charged “FDT.” Everyone in attendance was focused on the same goal, even though the event included dancing, long-overdue reunions, first-time introductions, and a performance by Earth, Wind & Fire. Tyrese, Eric Benét, Estelle, Cash Cobain, and others were among the guests.
John Legend’s impassioned address during his on-stage appearance completed Burns’ opening statement.
“There is no assurance of progress. Speaking the truth has a purpose, and power doesn’t just appear. We are observing it in real time. Our neighbors and acquaintances are being abducted and vanished by our government. In the park, people are serving dinner and [bringing] their children to school. Then, in an effort to quiet anyone who dared to speak up, they are saturating our streets with warfighters and militarized military. As he collected Babyface’s BMAC Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award, the Ohio native said, “We’re watching the richest people on earth get richer while our government takes from the poorest children in the world.”
“We’re seeing truth-tellers and journalists persecuted for carrying out their duties. A black female writer named Karen Attiah was dismissed by the Washington Post just this week for merely paraphrasing Charlie Kirk’s favorite podcaster.
He went on to say, “We live in a time when speaking the truth has repercussions, when facts are misrepresented, when progress is undone, and when those who dare to stand up face punishment. However, every victory and every step forward this nation has ever taken started with someone speaking the truth, the statement said. Nina Simone realized this in 1963 when she sat down at her piano in a moment of courage and passion. And I decide to follow that tradition.
