Black Women in Music Dinner Recap: Connie Orlando Event
Teh Connie Orlando Foundation’s inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner celebrated remarkable contributions to the music industry, making a powerful debut with a star-studded event. The dinner honored Sylvia Rhone, june Ambrose, Ciara, and phylicia fant for thier impactful work. News Directory 3 reports that the event, hosted by Zainab Johnson, featured remarkable performances and raised funds for breast cancer prevention in Black communities. Key moments included Ambrose receiving the Guardian of Vision Award and Rhone accepting the Vanguard Award, with speakers emphasizing the importance of ownership and the value of Black artistry. The event underscores the power of recognizing women in music. Discover what’s next for the Foundation.
Connie Orlando Foundation Honors Black Women in Music
Updated June 05, 2025
The Connie Orlando Foundation officially launched Tuesday with its inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner, celebrating impactful contributions to the industry. The event, in partnership with HarbourView Equity partners, was hosted by Zainab Johnson.
Honorees included Sylvia Rhone, June Ambrose, Ciara, and Phylicia Fant, each recognized for their pioneering work. Ambrose received the Guardian of Vision Award for her innovative styling and creative direction. Niecy Nash-Betts presented the award, calling Ambrose ”an architect of culture and visionary of soulful, immersive stories.”
Ambrose acknowledged Connie Orlando as a “guiding light” and Sylvia Rhone for entrusting her with projects for Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. “That faith not only shaped my path, but it deepened my purpose,” Ambrose said.
Phylicia Fant received the New Guard Award for her work in music marketing and advocacy for equitable depiction. lori Harvey and Andra Day presented the award. Day praised Fant’s “deep understanding of how crucial black artistry is to the future of business.”
Fant spoke on the importance of ownership and how “reinvention is survival,” also detailing her work with artists such as Prince, Amy Winehouse, and Lil Nas X.
ciara, joined by her daughter Sienna, accepted the Avant-Garde Award, presented by Normani. “This award makes me feel like I’m doing something right,” Ciara said.
Sylvia Rhone,known as “The Godmother of the Music Industry,” received the Vanguard award for her leadership and dedication to excellence across genres. Yolanda Adams presented the award, calling Rhone “a beacon of hope and a powerful champion for change.”
Rhone addressed the music industry’s uncertainty,stating,”We can’t afford to be comfortable. We must be vigilant and wise.We continue to protect it and our place in it.”
Sherrese Clarke, CEO of HarbourView Equity, recognized DJ KISS and Florence “FLO” Ngala with the Guardian Angel spotlight. Clarke emphasized HarbourView’s belief that “artists deserve more than just a seat at the table, they deserve ownership.”
MC Lyte hosted the event, which included performances by Alex Isley, GIVĒON, and JULY. Orlando shared, “It is a privilege for me to curate this event, to give these extraordinary women their flowers, to shine a light on how vital they’ve been to global culture, and to just say ‘thank you.’”
