On March 3, the Harvard Foundation will award Solange Knowles as Artist of the Year. Her deed as a Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and visual artist will be recognized at the prestigious annual award ceremony at Sanders Theatre.
Harvard Foundation commends the singer for using her open platform to advocate matters in the likes of “justice and fair representation and empowering political messages.” Through her performance art, Solange has touched the hearts of many who may struggle with “identity” and “grief” and are in need of “healing and “empowerment.” The foundation describes the honoree as:
“Knowles, who recently was named one of Glamour magazine’s women of 2017 and received the Billboard Impact Award, has used her public platform to advocate for justice and fair representation, promoting constructive and empowering political messages. From her acclaimed album “A Seat at the Table” to performing for then-President Barack Obama at the White House, Knowles has invoked themes dealing with empowerment, identity, grief, and healing that have resonated with millions of people. Her performance-art shows at the Guggenheim Museum and the Chinati Foundation, along with her installation at London’s Tate Modern museum, have amplified a defining career of visual art and activism.”
Upon receiving the Glamour award, the songbird recalled a moment as a young girl when she realized what her journey was:
“When I was about 11 years old, someone told me, ‘You’ve got to shoot for the moon and, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’ Well, I wasn’t interested in either one. I was interested in the journey there.”
