From “Lady Marmalade” to “New Attitude” and to her current role as a Dexcom G6 spokesperson on TV commercials, Patti LaBelle is an entertainment icon.
The NAB Leadership Foundation recognizes this, and is bestowing its 2022 Service to America Leadership Award to the singer, actor and entrepreneur.
“Patti LaBelle has entertained countless audiences with her music, on the screen and on the stage,” said NABLF President Michelle Duke. “Her exquisite talents are equaled by her generous heart and decades of support for philanthropic causes. NABLF and America’s broadcasters are excited to celebrate her lifelong commitment to good works and community service.”
LaBelle will receive the award on Tuesday (6/7) during the Celebration of Service to America Awards at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. LaBelle joins chef and humanitarian José Andrés (Jaleo, The Bazaar at SLS) as a recipient of this year’s Service to America Leadership Award, NABLF’s highest individual citation that is presented in recognition of honorees’ commitment to advocacy and public service.
LaBelle won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1992 GRAMMY Awards and the GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album in 1999. During her career, she has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and been inducted into the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
LaBelle became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association following her diagnosis in 1994.
In her acting career, LaBelle starred in the NBC television sitcom “Out All Night” and hosted her own lifestyle and cooking shows, “Living It Up with Patti LaBelle” and “Patti LaBelle’s Place.” She has starred in a number of popular films and television programs and was a contestant on hit shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Masked Singer.” She also starred in Broadway productions of “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God,” “Fela” and “After Midnight.”
The Celebration of Service to America Awards will also honor local television and radio stations and broadcast groups across the country for their public service and philanthropic efforts to help their communities throughout the year. NABLF will also honor GEICO with the Corporate Leadership Award in recognition of its decades of work supporting initiatives and building partnerships within the communities the company serves.
Actor and television host Mario Lopez will emcee the in-person, black-tie Celebration of Service to America Awards ceremony.
A special one-hour production of the awards ceremony will once again be broadcast nationally on television and radio stations and digital platforms in summer 2022.
