Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is set to receive the Los Angeles Press Club’s Visionary Award for Humanitarian Work at its annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards Gala. The ceremony is scheduled for December 6 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the organization announced.
Carlile, an 11-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy winner, Oscar nominee, and bestselling author, is being recognized for her extensive philanthropic work and her advocacy for human rights and social justice. Her public profile has been leveraged through her Looking Out Foundation, which has raised more than $10 million to support various grassroots causes. The foundation channels a portion of every concert ticket sold and proceeds from her XOBC Cellars wine club directly to these efforts.
A recent example of this work occurred during the North American leg of her first U.S. arena headlining tour, "The Human Tour." Carlile livestreamed a Minneapolis concert, "Be Human: A Concert for Minneapolis," which alone generated over $750,000 for The Advocates for Human Rights through her Looking Out Foundation, according to the press club.
The Los Angeles Press Club established the Visionary Award in 2012 to acknowledge entertainment figures who use their prominent public platforms to advance humanitarian causes, freedom, and social justice. Actress Jane Fonda was the inaugural recipient of the award, which was notably presented by Robert Redford.
Danny Bakewell Jr., President of the Los Angeles Press Club, expressed the organization's enthusiasm, stating that Carlile's work is "amazing and, during these troubling times, desperately needed." He noted that topical songs like "The Joke," "Human," and "Church & State" reflect her vision for social justice, and highlighted her collaborations with figures such as Elton John and Joni Mitchell. Bakewell Jr. also described her as having a deep compassion for society’s underdogs, which he said has resonated with millions of listeners.
Carlile's musical output continues, with her eighth studio album, “Returning To Myself,” slated for release in 2025. This year, she performed "America the Beautiful" at the Super Bowl and again at the Statue of Liberty during celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
At the same December 6 gala, KCRW radio host Madeleine Brand will also be honored with the Luminary Award for Career Achievement in Media. The press club expects to announce additional honorees closer to the date.
The National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, which began in 2008, celebrate excellence in reporting on the arts and entertainment industries. The annual ceremony also serves as a crucial fundraiser for the Los Angeles Press Club, a nonprofit journalism organization dedicated to supporting local media.
