L. Londell McMillan, a longtime entertainment attorney, an entrepreneur, an advocate for music and entertainment creators and executives, and the chairperson of the NorthStar Group is the recipient of the Kendall A. Minter Entertainment Advocate award, renamed after Minter’s recent passing. Dr. Denise J. Brown, LLF general counsel presented his award.
L. Londell McMillan was a longtime friend of Kendall Minter and they both attended Cornell Law School, fourteen years apart. McMillan delivered a passionate, powerful, and profound speech that focused on the themes of transformative leadership and Black ownership within the music and entertainment industries.
“I went to law school because I wanted to be a civil rights lawyer,” said McMillan. I met a gentleman named Reginald F. Lewis, who had acquired McCall Pattern Company, before TLC Beatrice. When I met Reginald Lewis, he asked me ‘What do you want to do?’ I said, I want to be a civil rights lawyer because that is what’s in my heart and in my soul. Reginald Lewis said to me, ‘Young man for your generation, go into business, which will be the civil rights of your generation.”
To view L. Londell McMillan’s career video presentation, click HERE. For his acceptance speech, click HERE.
Gwen Franklin, founder and CEO of B. Lifted Up! Inc. is also the host of the radio program, Your Guide To Living An Abundant Life on B. Lifted Up! Radio, in collaboration with the Mocha Podcasts Network. She is the recipient of the Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award, presented by Sheila Eldridge, LLF board member and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment.
In Franklin’s elegant and gracious style, and her profound words, Franklin also shared her memories of the late Mike Bernardo and the path she helped to set for Black women in the music industry. She also touched on the importance of spirituality and health.”
“Even before the Harvard Study [1972], Mike [Bernardo] paved the way for the advancement of Black women in the music industry,” said Gwen Franklin. “An executive, a mother, a humanitarian, an advocate for foster care, she also did it with a smile. It is an honor to accept this award in her name. We had something in common; both understanding how it feels to sit on a keg of dynamite, [referring to the music projects they shared during their record label days], like the first solo Jeffrey Osborne album, or Janet Jackson’s Control, or Vanessa Williams’ The Comfort Zone projects before release.
Franklin concludes: “Life is short and stress kills. Your relationship with the divine, your higher power, is your light. Be resolute in understanding your purpose. When the light dims – pause – exercise patience and wait for the light. It will never leave or forsake you, because ‘The Will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.’”
To view Gwen Franklin’s career video presentation, click HERE. For her acceptance speech, click HERE.
Joi Brown is the founder and CEO of Culture Creators and a former senior-level record label executive. She was presented with the first-ever Impact Player Award, presented by Shannon A. Henderson, LLF board member and director of marketing and community engagement at HBCUGO.tv.
In Brown’s dynamic speech, she reminds us of change, culture, and the future. “We’re not just here to create culture; we’re here to shape the future, ” said Brown. “As Maya Angelou once said, ‘You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.’ This quote speaks to the essence of why we do what we do as culture creators. We are constantly pushing the boundaries, creating spaces for ourselves, and inspiring those who come after us. But let me be clear: it is our responsibility to ensure we occupy space—not to rely solely on company policies or DEI initiatives to make room for us. We belong here. We must stand tall among giants, not as guests, but as equals.”
Brown concludes, “The future is not something to run from—it’s something to run toward. Innovation and technology are not taking away our power; they’re giving us new tools to expand it. We are the culture creators, and it’s on us to use these tools to amplify our voices, to build platforms, and to tell stories in ways we never could before.”
To view Joi Brown’s video presentation, click HERE. For her acceptance speech, click HERE.
Mike Kelly is a veteran record label executive and a radio broadcaster. He currently works as a radio consultant with his company, Real One 24/7 Promotion and Marketing. He is the recipient of the Music Executive Award, which was presented by Azim Rashid, LLF president and the chief marketing strategist for The Alchemy Group LLC, along with legendary program director Melvin “Cookin’’’ Jones and Kelly’s daughter Kiona Lewis.
When Kelly was growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he suffered abuse at the hands of his stepfather. Jones said in his introduction speech about Kelly, “His life has all the attributes of a Disney movie. He endured mental, emotional, and physiological abuse.”
Jones continues, “When I found out what was happening, I asked his mother if he could live with me, and she said, ‘Yes.’ I told his mother that I would make sure he stayed in school. I tried to instill in him values, like hard work, being faithful to family and friends, and to love all people, and to always stand on business, and that your word is bond. He [Mike Kelly] came to live with me at twelve years old. He was my driver at fourteen. I lived a rock and roll lifestyle in those days. He was exposed to the nightlife, but he was not that person. He stayed focused on school and basketball and was a good enough basketball player to receive a scholarship, but radio and records were his first love.”
In Kelly’s acceptance speech, he rendered special thanks to a room of music executives who supported him through various employment and promotion opportunities throughout his stellar career.
To view Mike Kelly’s career video presentation, click HERE. For his acceptance speech, click HERE.
Chris Chambers is the founder and CEO of The Chamber Group and a former record label executive. Chambers was not able to attend the award ceremony to accept the Media Executive Award. In his absence, Vivian Scott Chew, LLF board member and partner at Chew Entertainment accepted his award and read part of his acceptance letter.
“I have been blessed with an incredible career for close to thirty years. I can say that I have worked with many of today’s superstars and major brands at all stages of their existence. PR isn’t a career that I sought out; rather, it sought me out and I very quickly recognized that I was good at it and could find untraditional and creative ways to do my job. Nothing was ever perfect or easy, but the obstacles that I look back on and remember fondly are very obviously part of who I am now. It’s true when they say everything happens for a reason as each experience was a piece of the puzzle that formed me today. As a Black executive in an industry that often tries to overshadow our contributions to the culture, I’m proud.
I encourage the next generation of executives in the ever-changing world of media to follow their hearts. We are now faced with the challenge of thinking outside the box with shrinking newsrooms, fewer options for outlets, and content creators becoming a large and important part of a press plan. The great thing about following your heart is that it won’t lead you astray – you might hit a speed bump or go on a detour, but you’ll always end up exactly where you were meant to be. Just like I did.”
To view Chris Chambers’ career video presentation, click HERE. For his acceptance speech, presented by Vivian Scott Chew, click HERE.