The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame—a new endeavor started by the Georgia Entertainment Caucus and the Black American Music Association—inducted its first honorees with plaques displayed outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Beyoncé, OutKast, Missy Elliott, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, Usher, Shirley Caesar, and Kirk Franklin are members of the inaugural class.
A few artists were on hand at today’s ceremony at the stadium, including Missy Elliott and Big Boi. In a speech, Elliott said she thought about avoiding travel to the event. “But then I was just like, my people have supported me—y’all have supported me through all these years,” she said through tears. Watch her speech below, and find a video showing what the Walk of Fame looks like.
