Tina Lawson To Give Trae The Truth Change Maker Award

For the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, Houston rapper Trae The Truth will receive the second-ever Change Maker Award for his philanthropic work and social justice advocacy. His recognition comes after Killer Mike, who was honored as the first Change Maker recipient at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. 

Trae will be presented with the honor by fashion designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ms.Tina Knowles-Lawson during the Billboard Music Awards broadcast on Sunday (May 23) at 8 PM ET. 

“The feeling hasn’t fully settled in but to be recognized at a level is so amazing,” Trae tells BET.com in an interview. “I argue with people all the time, I don’t think I am an activist. I’m Trae. Those who know me know I’ve always been a fighter. I’ve always had one of the biggest hearts. I’ve always stood for something,” he continues. 

The 40-year-old Houston native has had his feet on the ground in his community and has brought relief all over the Texas city for the last 20 years. 

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“I’ve been doing this,” Trae said. “I think it’s just that social media [put its] magnifying glasses [on it].

From founding his charity Angel By Nature in the early 2000s that is aimed at helping the youth of Texas, Trae also created The Relief Gang to provide disaster relief to families after Hurricane Harvey destroyed his Houston community in 2017.

The mother of singer-songwriters, Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, Tina Knowles-Lawson also shares a passion for philanthropy and most recently launched the non-profit WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles, which is “dedicated to the empowerment of artists within a diversified pool of LA communities” according to her biography.

In addition to her WACO Theater Center in LA, Ms. Tina’s Wearable Art Gala is scheduled for next year, the branded signature event blends the worlds of art, fashion and entertainment.

Tune in to the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (May 23) at 8 PM ET on NBC.