Essence To Honor Kelly Rowland & Sylvia Rhone
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With only two weeks into 2012, it’s already setting out to be a good year for former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland. It was announced yesterday that Rowland and entertainment veteran Sylvia Rhone will be the honorees at the third annual Essence Black Women in Music event in Los Angeles on February 8th. This event falls during Grammy week, where Rowland is up for a nomination for her platinum single “Motivation” featuring Lil Wayne. Rowland, 31, is also set to perform during the event along with rapper Eve. Essence’s editor-in-chief, Constance C.R White, released a statement saying that Rowland’s
“talent, drive and remarkable creative force show what it truly means to be a young powerhouse in an ever-changing industry.”
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As for Ms. Rhone, Essence president Michelle EBanks says,
“Sylvia Rhone is an iconic driving force in the music industry who has become a trailblazer for African-American women everywhere.”
Rhone was recently the president of Universal Motown Records, overseeing acts like Nicki Minaj, Erykah Badu, Drake and Kelly Rowland as well. She is also on the board of directors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Rhone expressed her gratitude via email to Billboard reading,
“To be acknowledged by [Essence] is truly a privilege. To be honored with Kelly Rowland, for whom I have the utmost respect, will make this a very special evening.”
MC Lyte will DJ this year’s event, which is sponsored by Lincoln and My Black Is Beautiful.
[Essence]