The Black American Music Association‘s inaugural ICE (Imperial Crown of Excellence) Medal of Honor event occurred in Atlanta on June 2, 2024. This significant celebration, led by Chairman Michael Mauldin, honored the trailblazers and visionaries of Black American music and marked 100 years of its profound cultural impact.
The ICE Medal of Honor event is a groundbreaking occasion where attendees will don cocktail attire to honor legends like Muni Long, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Grandmaster Flash, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Robert “Kool” Bell, Suzanne de Passe, and Jeffrey Harleston. This event is a tribute and a recognition of their immense contributions to the music industry, highlighting their enduring influence and pioneering spirit.
Honorees include some of the most influential figures in the industry. Grandmaster Flash will receive the Transformative Award for his innovative hip-hop contributions. At the same time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will be honored with the Global Creative Impact Honor for their 50-year career in music production. Suzanne de Passe will receive the Trailblazer Honor for her groundbreaking work at Motown. Jeffrey Harleston will be recognized as Music Executive Leadership of the Year. Robert “Kool” Bell, a founding Kool & the Gang member, will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Honor.
The event will also spotlight contemporary talents like Muni Long, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan-Michael Cox, who will receive the R&B Song of the Year for their hit “Made for Me.” Additionally, iconic labels SoSo Def Records and LaFace Records will be celebrated as Artist Development Labels of an Era, acknowledging their significant role in shaping the music industry.
Atlanta’s Mayor, Andre Dickens, will make a special toast to the honorees and receive the ICE Culture & Community Leadership Honor, reflecting the city’s deep connection to the music industry. The event will also recognize the Otis Redding Foundation and Dr. Uzee Brown Jr.’s contributions to music education and community empowerment.
Chairman Michael Mauldin, a visionary behind this event, emphasizes the power of Black American music in shaping culture and inspiring future generations. His nearly five-decade-long career in the music industry has been dedicated to elevating Black music and its creators.
The Black American Music Association, a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 2017 by Michael Mauldin and Demmette Guidry, is committed to preserving, protecting, and promoting the legacy and future of authentic Black American music. The organization supports young talent and leads initiatives to ensure the continued influence and understanding of Black American music’s narrative and significance.
Michael T. Mauldin’s storied career spans nearly five decades, with roles ranging from band roadie to President of Columbia Records Black Music. Currently the CEO of Mauldin Brand Inc., Mauldin continues to champion the Black community and culture as Chairman of the Black American Music Association and Co-Founder of the Black American Music Foundation. His contributions to the music industry have earned him numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Living Legends Foundation and induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
Join us in celebrating the incredible legacy and future of Black American music at the inaugural ICE Medal of Honor event. For more information on the Black American Music Association and this historic event, visit bamassociation.org.
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