Watch Killer Mike Accept The Inaugural Change Maker Award BBMA

Rapper and activist Killer Mike received the first ever Change Maker Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards tonight in honor of his "dedication to equality, social justice and financial literacy in the Black community." The award, which recognizes an artist who "speaks truth to power through their music, celebrity, and community," was presented by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at the city's African American Panoramic Experience (APEX) Museum.

“This award highlights and recognizes the attributes of a true social justice warrior in the field of music who has made exemplary strides to lead the community in positive change making advocacy,” says Datwon Thomas, MRC’s VP, Cultural Media and Consulting Producer for the Billboard Music Awards. “In partnership with a diverse committee of colleagues at MRC and our cultural inclusion committee, BLAC, we selected Killer Mike for his contributions to the current movement and culture and his tangible efforts to make national and grassroots change.”

Killer Mike recently teamed up with Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover and civil rights leader (and former Atlanta mayor) Andrew Young to create Greenwood, a majority Black and Latinx-owned and operated digital bank to make it easier for consumers to support Black-owned businesses. They received $3 million in seed funding this summer, and the bank will officially open in January.