The Living Legends Foundation Inc

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating TINA DAVIS, President, EMPIRE our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. An accomplished record label executive, artist manager and entrepreneur, Tina’s almost 30 years of experience have earned her an impressive and lasting legacy in the music industry. Growing up in Northern California, Tina watched her father gig in their garage with his own band. She studied classical piano for 8 years and staged mini-concerts during elementary school recess. At 13 years old, after watching the film Krush Groove, which was based on the origin story of Def Jam, she decided that she would work there one day. After a stint at Grambling State University, Tina landed her first role in the industry as an executive assistant at Chrysalis Music Publishing. One year later, her dream became a reality when she was recruited to become an A&R administrator at Def Jam’s West Coast office. Going through tapes, she discovered one that gave Def Jam one of its first #1 R&B hits, “This is How We Do It.” Within a year, she was promoted to head of Def Jam West and then moved to NY as the label’s VP and later SVP of A&R. Among other successes, she discovered a young artist who would soon become one of the world’s biggest musical acts: Chris Brown. She left Def Jam and established her management company, Phase Too, with Brown as her first client and signed him to Jive Records. Tina serves as a dedicated mentor to young women aspiring or just starting out in the music industry. She is a longtime contributor to Best Buddies, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, inspired by a sister with Down Syndrome. Tina plans to expand her creative endeavors to the world of philanthropy, television, writing, speaking engagements and teaching. Follow her on IG @tina.davis and on LinkedIn @ Tina Davis. Tina, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating TT TORREZ, Vice President of Artist and Label Relations and Music Director, Hot 97 Radio, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. TT is a multimedia personality and shot caller at Hip Hop’s oldest running radio station and one of the most powerful women in the game. At HOT, TT wears many hats, and is the gatekeeper for the radio station. She oversees the station’s music, makes sure FCC regulations are being followed, manages the day to day operations of the staff, as well as the touch, feel and the fabric of the station and manages the relationships with artists, label reps, or anyone on the outside. Born in the Bronx and educated at Norfolk State University, she hosted a weekday morning show on the college station. She secured her first commercial gig in Charlotte, NC at WCHH 92.7, and found herself going back and forth from her college to her part time gig in another state every day. After Charlotte, she landed in Charleston, SC at WSSP 94.3 as the morning show producer for Russ Parr and hosted her own midday show. She moved on to Washington, DC at WKYS, Power 104 in Hartford, CT, Music Choice in NYC, Philadelphia and Richmond, VA where she became music director. By 2014, TT was at Hot 97, in an executive role. Now continuing in the tradition of diversifying herself, TT is tapping into the worlds of TV, film, podcasting and books. Follow her on all platforms @TTTorrez. TT, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating, NEWAL DEHAN, Director of Hip Hop and R&B Artist Relations & Programs, iHeartMedia, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. Newal is a trusted advocate for artists, and is responsible for conceptualizing and executing marketing strategies and national promotions for artists of all calibers across their iHeartRadio journey. Additionally, Newal helps to produce high-profile events including iHeartRadio’s Living Black!, iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Newal works hand in hand with the iHeartRadio Partnerships team to ideate and secure talent their brand partnerships, including campaigns with AT&T, Hyundai, Warner Studios and many more. Newal possesses a unique ability to understand various aspects of the music industry, bridging the gap between an artist’s creative journey while maintaining a business-focus. She has earned the trust of her peers over her more-than-a-decade long career in the business. Prior to her role at iHeartMedia, Newal was a Project Manager at MBK Entertainment Inc. Under the leadership of mentors Jeff Robinson Chairman/President and Managing Partner/President Jeanine McLean, Newal developed and executed day to day operations for their artist roster. Newal is a champion for emerging artists, frequently advocating for the next generation of talent. Her commitment to the power of music as a unifying force is evident in her tireless work. Follow her on IG @fabunewnew. Newal, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating JONATHAN RICKETTS, Strategic Partner Manager, Meta, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. At Meta, Jonathan Ricketts is responsible for developing Reels music marketing programs that allow labels and artists to fully engage with core fans and expand their reach to new audiences via short form video. He helps artists across select indie labels and distributor partners to adopt music tools available on Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta products, as well. Jonathan also curates IG Anthems, a weekly feature of trending music and new releases found on the IG @Creators page. Prior to Meta, he served as a Premium Content Lead at Spotify where he leveraged lifecycle marketing and paid social strategy centered around artists’ new releases and catalog to drive premium subscribers. Jonathan also hosted and produced an in-house speaker series called Sampled at Spotify where he interviewed producers and DJs. Jonathan’s career in the music industry began with an Urban Radio Promotions internship at Atlantic Records while completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. After graduating, he balanced his marketing pursuits at McCann and American Express with building music industry connections as a professional DJ in NYC. Originally from New Jersey with a Jamaican heritage, Jonathan spent his childhood competitively playing soccer for multiple club teams, running track, and fostering his love for soul, hip hop, and dancehall music. Follow him on IG @jayricksnyc. Jonathan, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating GINA WATERS MILLER, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Nashville, MNRK Music Group, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. Now in her 20th year at MNRK, formerly Entertainment One, Gina oversees day-to-day operations and creative output for Nashville, including MNRK subsidiaries Light Records and IndieBlu Music, working in the Gospel, R&B, Americana and Country Genres. A musician, educator, entrepreneur and executive, Gina’s love for music and the arts has forged the way and proven to be a significant part of her life’s purpose and work. Throughout her career, she has used her platform and voice to both improve the ways the music business operates and create opportunities in our industry. Gina believes in service and is committed to reaching back, pulling up and pushing forward. The music industry veteran is an active champion, serving on several advisory councils such as The Americana Music Association Board, is Secretary of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, Vice President of Nashville Music Equality, as well as Chair of The Music Business Association’s Board. She was named to Leadership Music’s Class of 2022, Billboard’s Women in Music executive class, the Nashville Business Journal’s Women Of Influence, Advisory Board for the Women In Leadership Program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is a member of the Country Music Association. Under the guidance of her son Stephen, they have formed Origins Music Group with a mission of serving creatives and inspiring and driving change. Follow her on IG and X @theeginamiller and on FB and LinkedIn @ Gina Waters Miller. Gina, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating SHERRESE CLARKE SOARES, Founder & CEO, HarbourView Equity Partners, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. HarbourView is a global investment firm focused on investment opportunities in the media and entertainment space, backing companies and creators to tell their stories. They have acquired the rights to over 50 music catalogs including Wiz Khalifa, Christine McVie, Brad Paisley, Nelly and others. Sherrese spent over 20 years in corporate finance, capital markets, investment banking, and private equity. Prior to starting HarbourView, she founded Tempo Music where she served as CEO and Board Director. Previously, Sherrese was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and was one of the three founding senior leaders to develop the Entertainment Practice at CIT Group, overseeing a $1B portfolio across entertainment companies. Sherrese received a B.S. in Finance from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She received Billboard’s prestigious Trailblazer Award and has been recognized by Billboard as Top Power Player, Top Women in Music, and R&B Power Player for the last three years in a row. She has received numerous awards as one of Variety magazine’s Women of Impact, one of the 100 most influential women by Entrepreneur Magazine; Buyouts Class of 2022 Women in PE and was named to Inc. Magazine’s 2023 Female Founders Most Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs List. Follow her on IG @harbourviewep and @sherreseclarkesoares, on X @HarbourViewEP and on LinkedIn @ Sherrese Clarke. Sherrese, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating CAROLYN WILLIAMS, Executive Vice President, RCA Records, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. Being an effective leader is a skill that Carolyn has mastered through technical training and hands-on execution. In her role, Carolyn works with the Senior Executive Team to ensure RCA’s strong positioning in market share and navigate through its major artist releases. She worked directly with the various label teams on project planning, fan engagement and campaign and audience development. She also serves as the marketing lead on several key projects. During her tenure at RCA, Williams has served as Executive Sponsor of their internal organization, BMAC (Black Music Action Committee) and co-founded the quarterly lecture series, “The Spark.” She also guided the activation of the 2020 initiative, “Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote” and has continued to build programs along with Sony’s DE&I Team. A New York native and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she worked as an entertainment journalist before segueing into music, working at Soul Brother Records and Productions, Penalty Recordings, Tommy Boy Records and J Records, rising through the ranks at J to Senior Vice President. She has been recognized among Billboard’s Women in Music, R&B/Hip Hop Power Players and Change Agents and Variety’s Hitmakers and Power of Women NY. She is a member of the XXL Awards board receiving three Clio Music Awards. She serves as Diversity Ambassador and Co-Chair of the New York City chapter of She Is The Music, a non-profit organization committed to increasing opportunities for women in the industry and launched her own Strategic and Creative Marketing agency, The AICE Collective. Follow her on IG @iammisscarol. Carolyn, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating EBONI FUNDERBURK, Founder, EFG Promotions and Consulting, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. After graduating from Hampton University with a degree in Mass Media Arts, Eboni stepped into the role of Managing Editor at Gospel Industry Today Magazine and Assistant Editor of Gospel Today Magazine, starting an illustrious 25-year career. She then joined the ranks of Verity Records, which at that time was the #1 Gospel label in the world. As part of an elite team, she played a pivotal role in helping to elevate the profiles of Gospel legends, setting the stage for a new era in Gospel music. She helmed the Radio Promotions Department at EMI Gospel (now MOTOWN GOSPEL) before rejoining Zomba Gospel (now RCA Inspiration) as the Senior Director of National Promotions. In 2008, Eboni embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, establishing EFG Promotions & Consulting, specializing in Gospel radio promotions and branding. Eboni has been recognized with a Media Excellence Award and a Women In Gospel, Making Things Happen Award. A key figure in the Gospel music community, she serves on the Gospel Music Association Board, the Nashville Leadership Advisory Council for the Gospel Industry Network, and is a member of both Stellar Awards (SAGMA) and The Recording Academy. Her induction into the 2023-2024 Marquis Who's Who In America is a testament to her enduring impact on the music industry. Follow Eboni on IG & X @theglamazonmon and on Facebook and LinkedIn @ Eboni Funderburk. Eboni, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365 #shero

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating CRAIG DAVIS, CEO, Music Matters Entertainment, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. Craig’s love of music started at age 7 and he played in the band throughout school, earned money DJing in high school and college and worked at the college radio station, which led him into the music industry. Craig started the Delaware Valley Record Pool and landed his first commercial radio job at WUSL’s Power 99 in Philadelphia. He was the station’s first “Super mixer” and worked endlessly to give Power 99 a unique sound. He held record promotion positions at Universal Distributors and at Def Jam and then started XPERTZ Promotion with partner Troy Shelton. They became the leading promotional company in the rap industry, working with Def Jam, Profile, Cold Chillin’, Pop Art, Select, 4th & Broadway, Jive, Rap A Lot and many other labels. Arista Records came calling for Craig’s marketing and promotional services to help start their hip-hop department, where he stayed for 17 years. His career includes National Director of Promotion and Marketing at Priority-Capitol Records, Vice President of Urban Promotions at Jive Records and Vice President of Promotion at Capitol Records where he created promotional and marketing strategies, set up and executed artist tours, and oversaw radio promotions. Currently, Craig is CEO of Music Matters Entertainment with a growing client base, as well as serving as Senior Vice President at SRG/ILS Records. Follow Craig on IG and X @unclecraigdavis and on Facebook and LinkedIn @ Craig Davis. Craig, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365

Today, the Living Legends Foundation is celebrating the Heroes of Black Music & Culture. Join us in congratulating KEN WILSON, Independent Music Executive, our recognized “Hero Behind The Culture” for #BlackMusicMonth. Ken is recognized as one of the most prominent executives in the music & entertainment business. A graduate of Cal State University, Wilson began his professional career as West Coast District Manager at Arista Records; coordinating promotion, distribution, and marketing efforts. Ken’s professional journey continued as Vice President of Hip Hop and R&B Promotions at Columbia Records. His success at Columbia then led to an opportunity to serve as President of Black Music at MCA/Universal Music Group, where he directed and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the division. His achievements at MCA/Universal caught the attention of veteran music executives who were in the planning stages of J Records/RCA. Ken was offered a senior executive assignment to develop the “Instant Majors” Black Division. Ken’s next challenge came as Senior Executive of R&B / Hip Hop Music Promotions at Warner Music Group. He was responsible for radio airplay & marketing efforts while managing budgets and a field staff. Currently as an Independent Music Executive, Ken masterminds Radio Promotions, Digital Strategies & Tour Marketing. He also lends his skills as a consultant working with BMG, P Music Group, Live Nation, RI Top Ten, J Skillz Records, KSR Group, JBR Creative and many others. As a community advocate, Ken is an active supporter of several community-based organizations fighting housing insecurity and homelessness including LA Family Housing, Rebuilding Together of the City of Angels, H.O.M.E. and PATH. Ken has twice served as Dinner Chairman of The Living Legends Foundation Awards Gala and participated as a past member of the Board of Directors. Ken, the Living Legends Foundation recognizes your hard work and love for the culture. We see you and now others will too! #livinglegendsfoundation #LivingLegend #HeroesBehindTheCulture #BlackMusic365