First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the keynote address at The GRAMMY Museum®’s Jane Ortner Education Award Luncheon yesterday at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Six-time GRAMMY® nominee Janelle Monáe was presented with the Jane Ortner Artist Award by Neil Portnow, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences President.
Building on the museum’s successful education programs and initiatives, the Jane Ortner Artist Award recognizes an artist who embodies the GRAMMY Museum’s educational mission and shows passion and dedication to education through the arts. Monáe was selected to receive the Artist Award based on her continued commitment to GRAMMY Museum educational programming.
Remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama when introducing Janelle Monáe:
“First of all, I am honored to be the first Electric Lady. I got my letter in the mail — I framed it; it’s up.”
“I love that she is one of the young artists here who is making music that means something. She has a message. She has a voice. She has a power in her. And she understands the responsibility she has within her grasp to take these opportunities and just take off with them. She serves as a role model and an inspiration to so many young people. And I am happy to call her my friend. I am so proud of her.”
