Atlanta Hosts Inaugural ICE Medal of Honor Celebration

With Black Music Month underway, the Black American Music Association, under the leadership of its President Michael Mauldin, inaugurated the ICE (Imperial Crown of Excellence) Medal of Honor at a prestigious ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday . The event honored legends, visionaries and pioneers of Black American music.

The ICE Medal of Honor aims to highlight the contributions of artists and leaders who have enriched the world with their talents and paved the way for future generations. Hosts Michael Mauldin, LA Reid and Chaka Zulu led the evening’s festivities.

“We are thrilled to launch the ICE Medal of Honor and recognize these exceptional individuals who have left a lasting mark on the world through their art and creativity,” said Michael Mauldin, co-producer and visionary behind the event.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave a special toast, honoring the honorees and receiving the ICE – Culture & Community Leadership Honor for his contributions to the city’s cultural fabric. Mayor Dickens’ recognition focused on the role Atlanta played as a home for black American music.

The evening’s honorees included some of the industry’s most influential figures: Grandmaster Flash received the Transformative Award, celebrating his groundbreaking use of turntables as musical instruments, which elevated the DJ to artistic status. Flash’s contributions were fundamental to the development of hip-hop, earning him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and numerous other honors. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis received the Global Creative Impact Honor. Celebrating fifty years of professional partnership, their influence as GRAMMY-winning producers has been monumental in shaping contemporary music.

Trailblazer Honoree Suzanne de Passe was the first black woman president of Motown Productions and was instrumental in the discovery of the Jackson 5 and the Commodores. The award bearing his name will be given to future pioneers of the industry. Jeffrey Harleston, named Music Executive Leadership of the Year, played a central role in Universal Music Group’s legal and government affairs, impacting the music industry’s business landscape.

Robert “Kool” Bell received the Lifetime Achievement Honor for his work with Kool & the Gang, a group that cast a shadow over the R&B, soul, funk and disco genres.

Other notable recipients included Muni Long, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, who won R&B Song of the Year for their hit “Made for Me,” as well as iconic labels SoSo Def Records and LaFace Records , each recognized as an Era’s artist development label.

The ICE Medal of Honor celebration also honored individuals who have made significant contributions to music education and community empowerment. The Otis Redding Foundation was recognized for its dedication to the education of young people, and Dr. Uzee Brown Jr. was honored for his nearly five-decade tenure at Morehouse College and his influence in music education.

In a moving moment, the ceremony also honored two Atlanta industry veterans: Clay Evans and visionary hitmaker Rico Wade. Their contributions to the Atlanta music scene and beyond have been remembered with great respect and admiration.

“This celebration is a testament to the power of Black American music to shape culture and inspire generations,” says Mauldin.