A little over a week after the Department of Homeland Security publicly blasted her “garbage rhetoric” for anti-ICE posts shared via Instagram Stories, Billie Eilish graciously received the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award presented by the King Center on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Eilish’s philanthropy became more recognized back in October when her plan to donate $11.5 million to groups working on climate justice, reducing carbon pollution and food equity through The Changemaker Program from her sold-out Hit Me Hard and Soft tour was revealed. Her challenge to billionaire attendees of The Wall Street Journal Magazine 2025 Innovators Awards, including the world’s third richest person Mark Zuckerberg, to “give your money away” was even bigger.
Extremely humbled, Eilish was Introduced by Black Girl Environmentalist founder Wawa Gatheru, and expressed both her gratitude and disappointment in the current state of affairs. “To be honest, I really don’t feel deserving,” said Eilish. “And it’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now. We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans. It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities is not a priority for this administration. And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets,” she read from a tiny piece of paper.
Social Justice recipient Justice for Migrant Women founder Mónica A. Ramìrez validated Eilish’s fears by sharing the fear ICE had unleashed on her Latino community. She also shared how bold she thought it was that she was being recognized. “I understand that part of my receiving this recognition today speaks to the courage of Dr. Bernice King and the King Center to give someone like me and my organization a platform in this moment,” she said.
Other honorees included EGOT Viola Davis, former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn and Gloria James for the LeBron James Family Foundation, with Young Sheldon star Iain Armitage, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Beyond the Gates star Sean Freeman also presenting. Iconic Sesame Street star Sonia Manzano presented the Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award to her very own Sesame Workshop. Chance the Rapper was among the several musical performers.
Bernice King, the King Center CEO and Dr. King’s daughter, called the gathering of roughly 1,000 people, “a celebration of humanity at its best.” She also proclaimed this year’s “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way” MLK theme “more than fitting,” because “it is a mandate for this moment.”
Eilish admitted to feeling more hopeful by the energy of the evening. “I am so inspired by all the stories and the other honorees tonight and everyone in this room, and I’m grateful to everyone and for the huge community of people who are taking action centered on Dr. King’s message. I just want to thank my mom, both my parents, for raising me the way they did. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without you, Mom,” she said, acknowledging her mother’s presence. “I have this platform and I think it’s my responsibility to use it, so I feel like I’m just doing what anyone in my position should be doing.”
The awards show, co-hosted by Tony winner and Princess and the Frog star Anika Noni Rose and Cross star Aldis Hodge, airs on BET in February.
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