Solange accepts the first-ever Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact.
Solange is the first-ever recipient of the Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact, as announced at Town Hall in New York City, Friday.
The Lena Horne prize, named after legendary singer Lena Horne, showcases an artist who not only captivates an audience in the arts but demonstrates excellence with their activism.
Solange gave a powerful teary-eyed acceptance speech.
“I’m honored to be all the things that my mother and my dear friend Toyin have said, but I’m also in a moment of great transition and transformation and we all deserve the space to be all of those things,” Solange said during her acceptance speech, per Billboard. “The space to love my people, to vow to continue fighting for us, for our peace, uplift us, make us seen and heard, celebrate our undeniable supreme light while trying really hard to find my own.”
Solange also announced that she would be giving the $100,000 prize to the Houston, TX-based nonprofit Project Row Houses. According to the foundation’s website, they “enrich lives through art with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape. We engage neighbors, artists, and enterprises in collective creative action to help materialize sustainable opportunities in marginalized communities.”
Last night, Solange gave her acceptance speech for the inaugural Lena Horne Prize at The Town Hall in NYC. To see the full 11m30 speech (it’s a MUST WATCH! 💯), go to my blog https://t.co/WD6V0leaM8 #BlackHistoryMonth ✊🏾💫❤️ pic.twitter.com/94lP9tPsk5
— Jennifer D. Laws (@jenniferdlaws) February 29, 2020
