Atlanta, GA - September 1, 2023 - Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. (WIJSF), an international 501c3 nonprofit membership organization, promoting women musicians, through informational multimedia platforms and global events, will hold its annual awards gala, honoring five successful business owners for their industry leadership and community impact.
Founded by composer, producer, and retired blues and jazz performer, Dr. Joan Cartwright in a concerted effort to bring awareness to and address the earning and opportunity inequalities experienced by women musicians as compared to men in the $40 billion music industry, WIJSF promotes performances and musical compositions of women musicians around the globe. In addition to recognizing and honoring community leaders who assist the organization in its quest, the annual awards gala raises funds for WIJSF to do its work and premiere Musicwoman Magazine and Musicman Magazine, published annually.
“Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. is excited about this year’s Awards Gala and the five amazing people who we will be recognized, including my mother, Dr. Joan Cartwright,” said Mimi Johnson, President of WIJSF. “Over the past 16 years, our organization has been committed to raising awareness of income inequality experienced by women musicians and increasing the visibility around the world of many incredible musicians who happen to be women.”
Among the honorees being recognized is Dr. Joan Cartwright, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her advocacy for women musicians and promoting their works. Since 1997, Cartwright has documented the lives of women musicians in an online Jazzwomen Directory. In 1997, she produced Gaiafest: A Celebration of Mother Earth with Women in Jazz in Fort Lauderdale, and the Lauderhill Jazz Festival in 2012, in Florida. Each year, since 2008, WIJSF held an annual celebration of women in jazz in South Florida. In 2017, Cartwright was inducted into the South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2019, the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) name her the Jazz Hero of South Florida.
Also being recognized is Michele Glover, an award-winning corporate leader in HR dedicated to helping professionals build purposeful careers, who will receive the Leader of the Year Award from Musicwoman Magazine. Melba Clayton, a professional in financial services and an entrepreneur, will receive the Woman of the Year Award; Damon and Quiana Crump, co-founders of Reign Pads, will receive the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Melvin Coleman, founder of the Atlanta Black Chamber, will receive the Man of the Year Award and Ragan Whiteside, nationally acclaimed flautist, composer, and radio host at WCLK 91.9 FM, will receive the Musicwoman of the Year Award.
Musicwoman Magazine is in its fifth year of publication and its editor-in-chief, Dr. Joan Cartwright is a noted composer and educator with 14 books, including the topics of women musicians and the history of jazz and blues. Cartwright was featured in various national and international media, including a recent article in JazzTimes Magazine. Among the profiles in the 2023 Musicwoman Magazine edition is a portrait by Neal Hamilton of the late music icon, Tina Turner. Likewise, saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter’s portrait by Neal Hamilton adorns the cover of the 2023 Musicman Magazine.
Entertainment at the event will include Ragan Whiteside, Eric Antonio Giles, Rita Graham, and The Ma and Pop Show, featuring Ms. Mimi Johnson and her daughter, Papadook the Poet.
The WIJSF Musicwoman Magazine Awards Gala will be held on Tuesday, October 24 beginning at 7:00pm, at the Reign Facilities located at 366 McDonough Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253. The presenting sponsor of the event is Reign Pads, a company working to raise awareness by informing both teens and women, globally, who suffer in silence with pain and heavy bleeding caused by the toxicity of tampon use. Other sponsors include FYI Communications, Inc., MJTV Network, LLC, and Caustic Entertainment Group, LLC. Tickets range from $20 to $100 and can be purchased at: https://musicwoman.eventbrite.com
For more information or media inquiries about WIJSF and Musicwoman Magazine Awards Gala go to www.wijsf.org, check out this video:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKOWnRhLVc0?si=VT1_tSVRqMoOiH9g or contact Mimi Johnson at 404/974-5744; mimijohnson.wijsf@gmail.com
Media Contact
Company Name: ONE NEO GEO, LLC
Email: Send Email
Phone: 404.960.1110
Address:4567 ROCKBRIGE RD SW UNIT #29
City: PINE LAKE
State: Georgia
Country: United States
Website: https://www.wijsf.org