Music icon Chaka Khan was celebrated at the 2026 Black Women in Music Dinner held in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12. The evening honored Black women who continue to preserve, protect, and shape the future of the music industry.
Accepting the recognition, Khan admitted she was deeply moved by the moment. “I don’t know how long we’ve been trying to pull it together, but I think that Black women finally found the beauty within ourselves and each other,” she shared. “I feel so overwhelmed tonight, filled with such high spirits. You know what I’m talking about?”
Khan was presented with the prestigious Vanguard Award, honoring her extraordinary impact, enduring legacy, and trailblazing influence in music. The award was given by Sherrese Clarke, founder and CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners.
Over the course of her legendary career, Khan has earned 11 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, solidifying her status as one of music’s most influential and celebrated voices.
Chaka Khan and Sherrese Clarke
(Photos by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation)
