On Wednesday night (Dec. 8), Save The Music Foundation honored live-event veteran Jesse Collins at the NeueHouse in Los Angeles. Collins, the CEO, and founder of Jesse Collins Entertainment has had his finger on the pulse of live events for over 10 years. And this year, Collins was chosen by the organization “for his achievements as a trailblazing executive and one of the most visible and successful producers in the industry,” per the organization’s press release.

If you’ve ever watched an award show on BET, you’ve seen Collins’ work. From the Soul Train Awards to the BET Awards, Collins has been instrumental in bringing award shows to life. And outside of the live-event realm, he’s also executive produced BET’s New Edition biopic, as well as The Bobby Brown Story.

“So many people have been honored by this organization in the past. It's one of those things that, you know, you're a part of something that really is helping people. The dollars go straight to the programs that bring[s] music to kids. I don't know how I wound up on this list, but I'm grateful to be here,” Collins told BET.com.

The night’s festivities, which were emceed by comedian Chris Spencer, kicked off with a DJ set by the incomparable D-Nice. And keeping up with the music theme of the night, Erykah Badu serenaded Collins with a medley of her hits, and thanked him for choosing her to host the 2017 Soul Train Awards.

To add to the night, Collins was surprised by his friend, comedy actress extraordinaire, Regina Hall, as she presented him with his award. And it goes without saying, Hall brought the laughs as she praised Collins’ work.

“Save the music is about music. And Jessie J... Jessie Williams has been...(what’s his last name?) We’re here to celebrate Jessie Collins. I am so honored to be a friend, to know your heart, to know your passion. I knew you wanted me here tonight. I did know that. I knew after Kevin Hart, and well, Tisha and Tichina they couldn’t be here, or Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson...the point is I knew I was first in your heart. It doesn’t matter how many people you asked before me,” Hall joked.

During Collins’ acceptance speech, he thanked Save The Music and spoke about the children the foundation serves.

“Right now, there is a kid in L.A. walking through life feeling as if he’s everyone’s last choice, or that they don’t have options. Music can be that option. It can give them a chance to have a sense of accomplishment. And with that confidence, they can do whatever they want in life,” Collins said.

To learn more about Save the Music, visit: https://www.savethemusic.org/.