(PHOTOS) Influential Black Women in Music Come Together for Inaugural ‘Grit Before the Gram’

Several prominent women in the music industry were recently recognized at the inaugural “Grit Before the Gram,” which honors women who “push limits, raise the bar, and make the music business go round.”

Held during Grammy Week at The West Hollywood Edition, the elegant event recognized an extraordinary group of women, including celebrity publicist Yvette Noel-Schure, Founder of the Schure Media Group, who was honored with “The Bridge Award” and Nija Charles, a seven-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, who received “The Spotlight Award.”

Grit Before the Gram was created and produced by Karleen Roy, the Founder and CEO of The Vanity Group, an event production agency that has produced many high-profile events for such celebrities as Diddy, Cardi B., and the Migos, in addition to working with many top brands.

The event was attended by some of the top women executives in the music business, including Sylvia Rhone, Chairman & CEO, EPIC Records; Ethiopia Habtemariam, President, Motown Records; Laurieann Gibson, choreographer; Shari Bryant, Co-President, Roc Nation; Cara Donatto, EVP, Head of Media Strategy & Communications for Interscope Geffen, A&M Records; Juliette Jones, EVP of Urban Promotion, Atlantic Records; Claudine Joseph Chief Operating Officer and LL Cool J Inc.; Afrika Lander, Marketing Executive; and Simone Mitchell, Artist Manager, Quality Control Music.

The women in attendance collectively celebrated each other’s achievements, paid homage, and united in sisterhood.

See photos from the Grit Before the Gram event below:

Nija Charles, Karleen Roy and Yvette Noel-Schure

Nija Charles

Mara Brock Akil

Laurieann Gibson

Shari Bryant

Karleen Roy

Simone Mitchell

Karleen Roy, Angela Yee

Yvette Noel-Schure

Africa Lander

(Photos by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Grit Before the Gram)