Today, ESSENCE announces the return of Black Women in Music, for the first time since
2018, bringing back one of the brand’s signature celebrations of Black women’s impact across music and entertainment. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor, producer and entertainer Anthony Anderson,,
the 2026 private luncheon will honor Brandy, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, and Mona Scott-Young for
their contributions across music, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and culture.
Taking place in New Orleans as its own special moment, ESSENCE Black Women in Music, an extension of ESSENCE’s esteemed Black Women in franchise, will gather honorees, industry leaders, creators, and cultural voices for an intimate celebration of artistry, influence, and ownership across the music industry.
Since its inception, the event has recognized artists, executives, and visionaries whose work spans
performance, production, media, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and business leadership, reflecting
ESSENCE’s long-standing commitment to honoring the women moving the industry forward.
The 2026 honorees reflect the range of Black women’s leadership across music and entertainment, with
careers that span performance, songwriting, production, business, media, and creative innovation.
Brandy, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and producer, is celebrated as one of the
most influential vocalists in R&B history. Known as “The Vocal Bible,
” she has shaped the sound and standard of modern R&B across three decades. Most recently, she and Monica co-headlined The Boy Is Mine Tour, a 32-date arena run that helped drive over $100 million in sales, proving that after all these years, the music, the moment, and the impact are still hers.
Kandi Burruss, Grammy Award-winning songwriter, artist, producer, entrepreneur, television
powerhouse, and Broadway star, is honored for building one of the most diversified empires in
entertainment. From penning some of the most iconic songs in R&B history with Xscape and beyond, to
conquering the Broadway stage, to building a multi-million dollar business portfolio, Burruss has
mastered the intersection of creative genius, ownership, and cultural influence.
Missy Elliott, the iconic Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and visionary is honored as
one of the most transformative forces in the history of music. A pioneer who shattered every boundary
between sound, visual art, performance, and technology, her influence spans three decades andcontinues to shape how artists create, perform, and push the culture forward. There is no modern music landscape without Missy Elliott.
Mona Scott-Young, media mogul, entrepreneur, and producer, is recognized for fundamentally reshaping
the entertainment landscape across more than three decades in the business. As founder and CEO of
Monami Entertainment, she built an empire spanning artist management, television, and media that has
generated billions in value. From guiding the careers of Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tyrese, and a host of others to creating the Love & Hip Hop franchise, she has redefined what it means to be a power broker in music and culture.
Together, the 2026 honorees represent the depth of Black women’s influence across music, where
artistry, business, innovation, and cultural leadership continue to shape the industry’s future.
Join the conversation on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. For highlights and coverage from the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Music celebration, visit ESSENCE.com, download the E360 app, and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine.
The post ESSENCE Black Women in Music Returns to Celebrate Brandy, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, and Mona Scott-Young appeared first on Talking With Tami.
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