“I grew up on my mom’s Stax records and to this day am still in total and complete awe of the talent, the genius, and the legacy that came out of the soul of Memphis. I am humbled beyond any words to receive this honor and I share it with everyone who came before me, stands alongside me now and will follow us all in the future. Thank you, Soulsville Foundation,” said Chuck D of Public Enemy upon receiving the Soulsville Foundation’s first-ever Power of Music Honors “Reverb Award,” presented at the historic Stax Museum of American Soul Music on May 2, 2025.

“Chuck D has utilized his platform to transcend the sequestered space of musicians as entertainment,” Soulsville Foundation CEO Pat Mitchell Worley noted. “His activism and role as a music historian have fueled the knowledge and self-determination of a generation and exemplify the Power of Music Honors.”

The Power of Music Honors award, to be presented annually, will recognize visionaries who use music as a catalyst for innovation, activism, and empowerment, celebrating those who create opportunities, foster wellness through artistic expression, and spur cultural movements that impact future generations.

As a social justice champion and cultural innovator, Chuck D’s recognition as the inaugural honoree embodies the bold spirit of Memphis and Stax Records’ recording greats, setting a powerful precedent for future awards that honor artists and organizations driving real-world change through music.

Legendary “Soul Man” songwriter (and producer, singer, philanthropist, and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee) David Porter presented the award at the ceremony. Soul singer Talibah Safiya performed, and current Stax Music Academy students entertained guests with “Respect Yourself” and Stax artist Johnnie Taylor’s “I Am Somebody.”

Inspired by the legacy and impact of Stax Records — in its heyday a community force that created jobs, engaged youth, launched careers, fostered Black entrepreneurship and served as a powerful agent for change — the Power of Music Honors is intended to elevate Stax and the Soulsville Foundation’s status as a national leader in music education and cultural preservation. It’s also a perfect fit for Memphis, globally renowned as a city where music has always played a central role, intersecting with — and nurturing — activism, economic growth and cultural resilience.

From civil rights anthems to socially conscious hip-hop, Memphis music has always represented empowering change. With this award, the Soulsville Foundation continues strengthening Memphis’ reputation as a hub where music is about more than making art — it’s also about improving lives.

The Power of Music Honors event also supports the Soulsville Foundation’s endeavors, including its Music Employs program and the Stax Music Academy, which is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. These initiatives provide young musicians with hands-on industry training, mentorship, and career development, ensuring that future generations have the tools to succeed in music or any other career they pursue.