Courtesy Saint Heron Solange is “beyond humbled” to be named the first recipient of the Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact.
The award — named after the iconic actress, singer, and social activist — “honors artists creating social impact with their platform and who inspire the next generation of change-makers.” It will be presented to Solange February 28, 2020 at The Town Hall in New York City, and Solange will perform at the event.
“I will never forget being a young girl and the impact of hearing the great Lena Horne so radiantly and powerfully singing the words ‘believe in yourself’ from that remarkable moment in The Wiz,” the Grammy-winner says in a statement to Billboard.
“I have carried it with me closely my entire life. At the age of 12, I played [Glinda, the same role Horne played in The Wiz] at the Ensemble Theatre in Houston, Texas and it was then I learned about Lena’s dedicated activism and fearless integrity as a woman and groundbreaking artist,” she continues.
“I am honored to be receiving an award that bears her name and continue her legacy of using the arts to inspire reflection and evoke change.”
Solange will donate the $100,000 prize to the Project Row Houses, a non-profit community organization in her hometown of Houston, TX.
Before that, the “Cranes in the Sky” singer will perform New Year’s Eve at Afropunk in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two-day event also features Miguel, along with several African artists. She will also headline four nights at the Sydney Opera House in Australia from January 27-31.
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