The Town Hall’s Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact, Celebrating Solange Knowles
In honor of Black History Month, last February, I had the opportunity to attend The Town Hall’s Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact event celebrating Solange. If you’re wondering, this is the same Solange, as in Beyonce’s little sister, Solange. And, yes, I am a year late in writing about this, but better late than never. This was the last event I attended before the world shut down. The memories popped up on my timeline and it was only right to reflect on this moment.
About The Town Hall
The Town Hall was built by a group of suffragists in 1921. It was created as a space for people of all genders, races and persuasions to gather and perform and discuss the issues of the day. The Town Hall has been at the forefront of social progress and political movements, presenting events led by Paul Robeson, Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, Diego Rivera, Anais Nin, James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Lorraine Hansbery and Arthur Miller. Honestly, I have walked past this building almost every day in Times Square and never noticed it until I went to this event. I had no idea it has so much rich history either.
About Lena Horne
Lena Horne was a Legendary Brooklyn-born GRAMMY and TONY winning singer, dancer, activist, and actress who performed on stage, in film, and on TV from the time she emerged as a starlet in the 1930’s until her death in 2010. Throughout her career, Lena fought for equality and justice. She sang at the first racially integrated night club, Café Society in New York City.
Celebrating Solange
It was truly an honor to be in the presence of so many talented people that I have watched on T.V. I spoke to Martin Luther King III, Common, Rapsody, and Miss Tina Knowles-Lawson, who is Beyonce and Solange’s mother. Solange tearfully accepted the award and gifted her $100,000 prize to the Project Row Houses, a Houston-based non-profit foundation dedicated to “empowering and enriching communities through engagement, art and direct action.” The award — named for entertainer and activist Lena Horne — spotlights those demonstrating excellence at the intersection of arts and activism. During her acceptance speech, Solange paid tribute to Horne’s legacy and touched on how Horne’s role in The Wiz inspired her from a young age, as it was the first time she saw someone that looked like her on-screen.
Press play to watch some snippets of interviews I was able to capture for the event!
