Solange has been awarded the inaugural Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact, presented February 28 in New York City. The prize recognises artists bringing about change with their platform (as the name suggests) and inspiring younger generations.
In her acceptance speech at the Town Hall ceremony, Solange paid tribute to the namesake of the award – a civil rights activist, singer, and actress, who died in 2010 – as well as thanking her friends, family, and aunties and cousins “who weren’t really aunties or cousins”, Billboard reports.
Tina Knowles was also on hand to talk about her daughter’s philanthropy and social engagement, which apparently has its roots in her childhood.
It has been announced that the singer and visual artist will donate the $100,000 prize money for the award to Project Row Houses, a nonprofit in Houston, Texas. The organisation, which Solange has been involved with before, seeks to aid marginalised communities with art and direct action.
Since last year’s acclaimed album, When I Get Home (and the accompanying film, which saw her collaborate with a variety of artists), Solange has been debuting more unique work, including an art/music performance in Hamburg and a performance at the closing of the Venice Biennale.