The deep musical bond between the late Whitney Houston and legendary producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will take center stage this summer. The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, in partnership with Primary Wave Music, has officially announced that the 13-time Grammy winner will headline the Fifth Annual Whitney E. Houston Legacy of Love Gala.
This year’s event centers around the vibrant theme, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” double-timing as a celebration of what would have been the iconic vocalist’s 63rd birthday. The formal affair is locked in for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at The Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
A Historic Musical Partnership Reunited
Having Babyface anchor the evening brings a profound full-circle moment to the foundation’s annual fundraiser. Recently recognized by The New York Times as one of the “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters,” Edmonds’ fingerprints are all over the definitive chapters of Houston’s discography.
His work with Whitney includes a staggering run of timeless classics, such as:
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“Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” “Why Does It Hurt So Bad,” and the CeCe Winans duet “Count On Me“ from the cultural touchstone 1995 Waiting To Exhale soundtrack.
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“I’m Your Baby Tonight“ and “Miracle“ from her chart-topping 1990 sophomore era.
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The high-energy “Queen of the Night“ from the diamond-certified The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992).
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The monumental cinematic pairing with Mariah Carey on “When You Believe“ for The Prince of Egypt (1998).
With 83 Grammy nominations to his name, Edmonds remains the only producer in history to secure the “Producer of the Year” Grammy four times—including an unmatched consecutive three-year streak from 1995 to 1997. His collaborative catalog boasts over 800 million records sold, billions of streams, and an astonishing 125 Top 10 hits.
“We are excited about this year’s gala and thrilled to have Babyface as our headlining performer,” said Pat Houston, President of the Foundation and Executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. “Babyface was not just one of Whitney’s favorite songwriters and producers, he was also a dear and close friend. He has single-handedly been responsible for many of Whitney’s hits and career-defining songs.”
She added that attendees can look forward to additional surprises: “I know that Whitney would be particularly happy about this year’s celebration, along with the Foundation’s continued work… From the beginning of Whitney’s career, her dedication and commitment to the foundation has always been one of her top personal and professional priorities.”
Gala Highlights: Emerging Talent and Philanthropy
The evening will be co-hosted by Pat Houston alongside Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier, with legendary Sony Music Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis serving as the Honorary Chair.
Beyond the headlining performance, the evening will feature several major pillars of the Foundation’s ongoing mission:
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The 3rd Annual Cover Song Vocal Competition: Following video submissions throughout May, the chosen winner will earn a dream opportunity to perform live at the gala and spend time with the Houston family and VIP guests.
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HBCU Scholarships: The Foundation will continue its tradition of awarding annual scholarships to students pursuing the arts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
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2026 Grant Recipient: This year’s institutional grant is awarded to Atlanta GLOW (Growing Leadership Of Women). Established in 2014, the faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focuses on mentoring, educating, and equipping low-income young women to become financially self-sustaining leaders.
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Julien’s Auctions Partnership: Returning for a second consecutive year, the premier auction house will host a fundraising auction featuring exclusive, one-of-a-kind artifacts from Whitney’s personal archive and career.
Carrying the Torch of Global Philanthropy
The modern iteration of the Foundation was formally established by the Estate in 2020, but its roots run deep into Houston’s history. She originally founded the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children in 1989, funding inner-city parks, supporting unhoused youth, and partnering with organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund, Special Olympics, and the United Negro College Fund. Her legacy also lives on through the historic Franklin School building in East Orange, New Jersey—originally built in 1873—which was renamed the Whitney E. Houston Academy for Performing & Creative Arts in 1997.
For more information on the event or to support the foundation’s initiatives, visit the official Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation channels.
